Track notes

It tackled Millbrook’s challenging Hill Route with commendable aplomb, if not much in the way of dynamic flourish or engagement.

Good stability and handling security prevail here, with the GLB’S all-wheel drive system endowing the boxy SUV with good traction. Get its nose tucked into a corner under braking and the GLB adopts a pleasingly neutral stance as you power past the apex and on towards exit. Sure, if you’re a bit of an ape with your right foot, its nose will push into understeer but it does so progressively and is easy to rein in with a slight lift of throttle. Meanwhile, body roll feels pretty tightly controlled and the steering weights up intuitively as you add lock.

Although the gearbox responds quickly enough under its own steam in Sport mode, attempting to control changes manually in such driving environments is slightly frustrating as the transmission can seem unwilling to respond to your requests.

vulnerable to deflection, while the steering itself kicks back (albeit not overly violently) if you hit particularly large surface imperfections halfway round a bend.

Nevertheless, there’s enough dynamic competency here to ensure the average GLB owner won’t feel in any way short-changed on outright handling security and its lofty, suitably commanding driving position ensures this is backed up by good levels of all-round visibility.  Compression before T5 can cause the stability systems to momentarily cut power, but a wealth of torque ensures quick progress on the following ascent.