On paper, the 2024 Mercedes GLB35 4MATIC compact crossover has a lot stacked against it. The price and relative lack of power alone are enough to cause pause, yet in reality the little wannabe SUV masquerades as a high-sitting hot hatch with some AMG goodness baked in. This thing is a little ripper, a blast of a vehicle in an unsuspecting– albeit pricey– package.

(While we did subject this vehicle to our regular routine, we didn’t drive it enough to warrant  full-fledged, traditional review. What follows is a quick rundown of what can be deduced from our time with it.)

I admit, my expectations weren’t high for the GLB35. The numbers side of things isn’t in Mercedes’ favor here; the 2024 GLB35 4MATIC starts at $59,050 and ticks in at just under $69k as-tested. Its closest competitor is probably the BMW X3 M40i, which starts around the same price ($61,900) and has an extra 80 horsepower (and 70 lb-ft of torque). Yes, I know you can technically get a Macan in this price range, but good luck doing so. But you can get a third row of seats in the Merc, and you can have a surprising amount of fun. While the GLB35 isn’t a firebreather, it is surprisingly enjoyable to drive, even if it feels somewhat juvenile in the way it goes about its existence. Needless to say, my expectations were far exceeded by the GLB35.

Somehow, this car is far better than the numbers would have one think it is. Though it isn’t overly quick, it does make hilarious turbo noises under hard acceleration, and the throttle pedal and attached drivetrain are extremely responsive given the hybrid-assist 2.0-liter powertrain attached to it. 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque aren’t a ton, especially considering the GLB35 weighs almost 3,900 pounds, yet the immediacy of its reactions– thanks in part to a hyper-quick-for-this-segment 8-speed DCT– make it feel like a wagon or hatchback on stilts more than a lowered, street-only SUV or CUV. The ride quality is surprisingly good, too, given the low-profile tires and utter lack of suspension travel (it three-wheels going into my driveway), but leave the most aggressive suspension untouched if potholes are anywhere within the same zip code.

The GLB35 isn’t exactly a great value proposition, it isn’t the fastest in its class, and it isn’t the prettiest, however it is a good time, an enjoyable and very easy vehicle to drive every day, and a machine that provides a bit of drama when other vehicles may simply check the boxes.

Yay

• Immediate response from powertrain
• Quick-shifting transmission
• Nicely appointed
• Turbo and exhaust noises galore
• Perfectly practical and a great size for everyday life

Nay

• Could use another 50– or 100– horsepower, especially for the price
• Too much touchscreen interaction needed to do basic functions
• Driver seat could use a little more support and width
• Will be incredibly expensive to service/repair/maintain once out of warranty

The Takeaway

More than the sum of its parts, the 2024 Mercedes GLB35 4MATIC is a unique, surprisingly playful and fun offering in the small, sporty CUV category, and it offers a lot for those who don’t care so much about the spec sheet (or the price) as they do the driving experience in their everyday vehicle.