There are cars that make you feel sensible, cars that make you feel smug, and then there are cars like the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35. A curious concoction that makes you wonder if the engineers at Affalterbach were a little tipsy when they gave it the green light.

The GLB 35 on first glance looks like it’s wearing a suit two sizes too big. Tall, boxy, and unapologetically upright, it resembles a school bus that stumbled into a tuning shop. But underneath all that squared-off practicality lies a heart that beats with all the aggression of a caffeinated gym bro.

Power Meets Practicality

This isn’t some sticker pack with sporty pretensions. The GLB 35 has been given the full AMG once-over. It shares its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with the A35, which means a healthy 302bhp, an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, and 4MATIC all-wheel drive that can chuck 50 per cent of power to the rear when things get frisky.

Zero to 100km/h? 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy? Forget about it. This is a seven-seater SUV with the performance stats of a proper hot hatch. Bonkers.

In Comfort and Normal modes, the GLB 35 feels brisk enough, but flick it into Sport+ and it ditches its German stoicism for something far more theatrical. The throttle sharpens, the exhaust barks, and suddenly you’re being jostled by your own organs.

Yes, Sport+ is ridiculous. Yes, it firms up the dampers to the point of chiropractic intervention. But it’s also addictive. So much so that I ended up setting up an Individual mode with snow-optimised power settings and comfort suspension just to restore some sanity after a spirited B-road jaunt.

The Madness Is The Point

Step out of the car to get your organs reorganised, and you wonder how the GLB 35 can even work in the first place. It’s tall stance and 1.8-tonne kerb weight mean it was never destined for racetracks. And yet, once you’re behind the wheel, flicking through gears with a grin on your face, it all makes sense. Sort of.

It’s agile for what it is. Lithe, even. On tighter roads, you’ll find yourself pushing harder than you’d expect in something with room for seven souls and their assorted pets. But they may not appreciate your newfound enthusiasm. Expect groans, moans, and the occasional airborne child.

AMG Trimmings, All Present and Accounted For

To justify its AMG moniker, the GLB 35 is kitted out like a rock star on tour. 20-inch alloys, adaptive dampers, LED headlights, a Burmester sound system, panoramic sunroof, and the AMG Night Package, which blacks out the chrome in favour of a more menacing motif.

The pièce de résistance is the Panamericana grille vertical slats that pay homage to Mercedes’ 1950s racing heritage. It’s a striking look that gives the GLB the swagger it needs to wear its AMG badge with pride.

Room for Seven (ish)

Technically, yes, this is a seven-seater. Realistically, the last two seats are best left to the nimble, the small, or the vertically challenged. That said, cabin space is generous, and with the rear row folded, you’ll get 565 litres of boot space, perfect for IKEA hauls or emergency diaper stockpiles.

With all seats down, cargo capacity jumps to 1,800 litres. That’s enough to carry your regrets after signing the finance papers.

Rationality? That’s for Other People

It’s frankly absurd that a seven-seat SUV can sprint like a hot hatch and guzzle fuel like it’s 2006.

This car doesn’t exist for the spreadsheet types. It’s not for the people who count every penny or those who shop with calculators in hand. This is a car for the irrational, the impetuous, the ones who want to carry seven people and blow past a Golf GTI on the way to their children’s piano recital.

It’s not a car you need. But it’s a car you’ll want even if your wallet says otherwise.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35

Engine: 2-litre inline 4
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 302 bhp
Torque: 400 Nm
Gearbox: 8G-DCT AMG Speedshift
0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres 
Fuel Economy: 10.5 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$383,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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For those of you eyeing a practical 7-seater SUV, this one might just be the ride you’ve been waiting for.

This facelifted Sorento Hybrid looks sharp, with its sleeker, more defined front end. The revamped bumper, grille, and slimmed-down taillights resemble both the EV9 and the new Carnival. 

Take a walk to the rear, and you’ll notice the previously separated taillights now gently bridged together at the top. Small changes, but they give the Sorento an even more commanding presence on the road. 

Inside, the Sorento Hybrid has had a serious makeover. The dashboard now features what Kia calls a “single curved panel,” which elegantly merges a pair of 12.3-inch screens.

Kia’s hallmark switchable control panel sits right beneath, and the cabin now feels more premium.

If you remember, the original Sorento arrived in Singapore with a turbodiesel engine. But in this facelifted version, it’s all about petrol-electric power. And with the updated hybrid system, this SUV feels fresher, more relevant to the times we’re driving in. 

Under the hood, the new Sorento Hybrid boasts a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, paired with a 64bhp electric motor. Combined, you’re looking at 212bhp and a beefy 366Nm of torque. 

All this power is funnelled through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, clearing the century sprint in a respectable 9.3 seconds. It’s slightly down on power compared to the pre-facelift version, but the extra electrical shove more than makes up for it.

Now, if you’re only focusing on those power numbers, you might miss the real magic – the hybrid efficiency. Kia claims an impressive fuel consumption of 19.6km/litre, which is amazing for an SUV of this size. 

Tech-wise, this is the most advanced Sorento yet. The latest generation of driving assistance features is fully loaded as standard. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or navigating busy streets, you’ll have systems like Forward Collision Avoidance Assistance, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind-Spot Monitors working with you.

And if you’re upgrading to the SX Tech Pack, ambient mood lighting, a powered panoramic sunroof, and tunes blasting from a 12-speaker BOSE sound system are included.

Even if you opt for the base SX trim, you’re far from missing out. You get 8-way powered front seats with ventilation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and air-con vents for second and third-row passengers.

The SX Tech Pack just takes it all up a notch with extras like a head-up display and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a top-tier variant.

With prices starting from $244,999 for the SX trim (COE included), the Sorento Hybrid is now available for viewing at Kia’s showroom.

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