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Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs Subaru Forester

What's the difference?

VS
Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

$34,999 - $63,800

2021 price

Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester

$35,990 - $55,007

2024 price

Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
2024 Subaru Forester
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Flat 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
8.3L/100km (combined)

7.4L/100km (combined)
Seating
7

5
Dislikes
  • Second row doesn't tumble forward
  • Expensive but desirable options
  • Standard active safety falls short

  • Uninspiring drivetrain
  • Price getting steep
  • Potential thirst for fuel
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Summary

So, you want an SUV with seven seats for the family (and maybe friends), but also want it to be premium and have a performance focus. There hasn’t been a model that fits the bill this side of six figures… until now.

Yep, Mercedes-Benz’s mould-breaking GLB mid-sizer has officially been given the AMG treatment. Enter the ‘entry-level’ GLB35, which is out to prove you can have your cake and eat it too, especially if you’re the above buyer.

But is the GLB35 trying to do too many things at once? Is it really a jack of all trades, or a master of none? As always, there’s one way to find out: put it to test. We’ve done exactly that, so please read on.

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Interested in a Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class?
2024 Subaru Forester Summary

There’s a new top dog in the Subaru Forester family (without getting into the hybrids, that is), and it’s wearing an STI badge.

But don’t get too excited about it, because this isn’t a full-blown piece of engineering from Subaru Tecnica International - rather a slightly modified special edition based on a high-spec Forester.

Is it worthy of the iconic pink badge? Or more importantly, is it worthy of your money? We’re putting this kitted-out version of Subaru’s likeable family SUV to the test to find out.

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Interested in a Subaru Forester?

Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 2024 Subaru Forester

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