Mercedes-Benz is making moves in the electric vehicle (EV) world, and the new GLB is the latest cab off the rank.
The premium mid-size SUV, an oft-forgotten member of Mercedes-Benz's incredibly broad Australian model range, has entered a second generation. It's now based on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), making it a very close relative to the new CLA sedan launched earlier this year.
That's a significant step forward from the old GLB in terms of its underpinnings, given the original GLB shared its MFA2 platform with the previous A-Class, B-Class and CLA, and it contributes to the model's new multi-powertrain approach. Mercedes-Benz has retained front- and all-wheel-drive combustion powertrains, albeit supplementing them with 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) tech, in keeping with the CLA.
The bigger news, however, is the addition of fully electric GLB variants. The new platform allows for both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains, broadening the GLB's appeal.
That also means Mercedes-Benz will be dropping the older EQB bespoke electric SUV in favour of the electric GLB, simplifying its lineup.
Naturally, both MHEV and EV versions of the new model retain the GLB's seven-seat layout, and Mercedes-Benz says there's more space in the third row than before, thanks to the model's larger proportions.
Inside, the front of the cabin has been completely redesigned to incorporate the brand's 'MBUX Superscreen' digital setup. This features three screens integrated across the dashboard, though the passenger-side display is only available as an optional extra.
CarExpert was among the media invited to Melbourne by Mercedes-Benz to sample the new GLB, with only all-wheel drive versions of the MHEV and EV on hand at the launch.
How does it stack up?
How much does the Mercedes-Benz GLB cost?
Like-for-like, prices are down for the new-generation GLB.
The outgoing GLB200 was priced from $68,300 before on-road costs, so its entry point has decreased by $2900. There's a larger gap between the electric GLB and its spiritual predecessor, the front-drive-only EQB, with the new model now being up to $15,000 cheaper.
As ever, the seven-seat GLB is a unique offering in Australia, and its direct rivals are limited. One worth considering is the less-premium, similarly sized Volkswagen Tayron, which is cheaper and ranges from $48,950 to $76,550 plus ORCs.
Interestingly enough, the most direct competitor to the electric GLB is the six-seat Tesla Model Y L. It has more power and range than the GLB, is all-wheel drive only, and is priced at $74,900 plus ORCs.
The GLB is, however, cheaper than a five-seat, rear-wheel drive Audi Q6 e-tron, which starts at $89,900 plus ORCs.
It's also cheaper than its CLA platform-mate, with the CLA220 4Matic MHEV priced at $84,227 plus ORCs and the CLA350 4Matic EV at $91,300 plus ORCs.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Mercedes-Benz GLB like on the inside?
Mercedes-Benz's new interior approach really is excessive.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the GLB diligently follows the trend set by the CLA, and there are some positives. The screens themselves look nice graphically, feel slick to use, and are unmistakably Mercedes in quality, layout, and general style.
But man, they do not need to be this brutal.
The slab across the dashboard is best described as anything but elegant, with no real design identity beyond the curved edges and circular air vents. It's just too much.
It's worse without the passenger display included as part of the optional MBUX Superscreen, because its absence leaves a garish glossy panel lightly decorated with three-pointed stars. Actually, the optional 14.0-inch display isn't any easier to justify.
As in the CLA, its use is restricted when the vehicle is in motion, even for the passenger. That means it's only useful when stationary, which is fine if you're charging in the electric versions but, ultimately, it doesn't seem like an option box worth ticking.
At least the Superscreen is one of several items included in the optional Plus package. That means your money can go towards things that are more useful, like the deeply impressive Burmester sound system. Its versatility and quality are among the best you can get at this price.
All that aside, the cabin proved a comfortable place to spend time. We've already said the screens are nice to use, though there are still natural limitations with the screen-heavy setup, primarily with the climate controls.
Some more physical shortcuts for basic functions would be nice, even if you still get an always-on ribbon at the bottom of the display to help you along. The sheer number of submenus and settings in the infotainment system is a lot to take in, too.
Looking past the thick black bezels eventually brings you to the 10.25-inch digital instrument display. This feels a bit more familiar, thanks mostly to its slightly more traditional layout in default two-gauge form.
It's navigable using some vague haptic controls on the steering wheel, but it's easy enough to figure out. The inclusion of physical controls for volume and radar-cruise distance is also a nice touch, but the plastic stalks in front of the wheel feel a bit flimsy.
The real interior highlights are occupant comfort and ergonomics. Though the seats initially feel wider than necessary, they're actually very supportive and remain pleasant on long drives. Of course, door-mounted seat adjustment controls are a typical Mercedes-Benz touch.
The seats can go quite low by SUV standards, making the GLB feel lower than its ride height might suggest. Combine that with a wide range of steering wheel adjustment and you have an SUV capable of providing a commendably good driving position.
Helping that is the centre console, deliberately positioned high to create more of a cockpit feel. The important parts of the cabin are all soft, too, aside from the metallic trim pieces that appear to be real metal.
Storage is also good. The centre console, while undeniably bare, has two cupholders with spring-loaded teeth, a wireless phone charger, and a small array of haptic buttons.
There's also a huge tray below the central 'bridge' and two small USB-C ports, one of which can be used to connect a phone if you don't want to use wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. My phone had issues with the wired connection on the launch event, though.
Otherwise, there are bottle holders in the doors and a large-ish storage box under the central armrest. The front of the cabin is quite good once you're in and settled, even if the screens are a bit in-your-face.
The second row is spacious, with plenty of headroom despite the relatively high bench seat and glass roof. It's a tad more expansive than the preceding GLB but maintains the same upright proportions.
A neat trick is the bench seat's ability to slide forward or back by 140mm. This allows you to maximise either legroom or cargo space as needed, making the GLB a tad more practical. As ever, there are second-row air vents and a fold-down armrest to boot.
Our only real complaint is there's no sunshade for the glass roof. The CLA's glass roof can turn opaque at the press of a button, and while the GLB has the same as an option overseas, Mercedes-Benz says it isn't available in Australia for the time being.
Still, the GLB has maintained its drawcard as a seven-seat SUV that's not too big. The brand admits the third row only really works for people shorter than 171cm, and at 173cm I agree. It'll still work for short trips or children, and the sliding second row grants easy access.
A considered feature is the inclusion of ISOFIX anchors for the third row. This provides a little more versatility if you have many young kids, though we can't imagine it'd be much fun to wrestle two child seats into place back here.
Boot space is workable, albeit considerably compromised with the third row in use. It's much smaller than in the Model Y L and Tayron, but not unusable. The space opens up nicely with the third row stowed, and you'll have a big, flat load floor if you fold all rear seatbacks down.
You get a tad more storage below the rearmost portion of the boot floor, but you won't find a spare wheel in there. All GLBs are fitted with a tyre repair kit as standard, a disappointingly common theme in many Euro cars and EVs these days.
The electric GLB at least incorporates a large under-bonnet storage bin, making good use of the space vacated by the MHEV's petrol engine.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What's under the bonnet?
Four powertrains are available for the GLB: two mild-hybrid and two all-electric. We tested the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder MHEV GLB220 4Matic and the dual-motor all-wheel drive GLB350 4Matic EV.
The MHEV powertrain can actually drive as an EV, but only briefly. Its power output is limited to just 22kW, as in the CLA, so if you want more than that it'll fire up the combustion engine.
Both GLB MHEVs use an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the EVs have a two-speed setup. We'll detail the behaviours of each in our driving impressions below.
As for fuel economy and energy consumption, we didn't get enough time in any one car to record representative real-world figures. After the two-hour drive program, however, the GLB350 EV was showing roughly 17.0kWh/100km, and the MHEV about 6.0L/100km.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLB drive?
If the exterior styling and interior presentation don't impress you, the drive experience sure will.
Though we spent most of our time in the GLB350 EV, we found plenty of similarities between it and the GLB220 MHEV from a chassis-tuning perspective. That's a good thing, because Mercedes-Benz has absolutely nailed it.
We immediately noticed the steering setup, which has a shorter-than-expected ratio and makes the GLB feel incredibly nimble. It's also very nicely weighted without feeling overly artificial, and generally suits the SUV's character very well.
But the real story is body control. The GLB doesn't buck or crash over bumps; instead, it displays excellent road-holding that inspires confidence from the driver's seat.
The body never feels unsettled or overwhelmed, even if it leans towards firm rather than soft. Mercedes-Benz has just struck a nice balance between confidence and comfort, and the GLB is all the better for it.
In truth, this isn't terribly surprising. Cars like this are built to survive German autobahns, and lower speeds on rougher roads don't throw it a curveball either. The GLB's ride/handling package is global too – Mercedes-Benz has no local chassis tuning program for Australia, and clearly doesn't need one.
If you want it even firmer, you can flick over to Sport mode. This has an immediate effect, with the most obvious benefit being that it mitigates the inconsequential body roll you'll encounter in Comfort mode.
That said, we think the GLB is best enjoyed in Comfort. Naturally, this is when it feels most comfortable, but there's no huge compromise in its cornering behaviour despite the softer damping.
It responds remarkably well to rapid direction changes, and even seems willing to rotate rather than simply push wide. It has an unusually playful character for a family SUV, but the chassis remains reassuringly predictable.
This points to both good chassis balance and well-tuned traction control. We know it isn't a sports car, but it's immensely refreshing to drive a new SUV that drives like a car, rather than a cumbersome lump. Indeed, the new GLB may well be a new segment benchmark for ride quality and body control.
Keep in mind this only applies to all-wheel drive GLBs, as we can't yet comment on the other drivetrains, but we'd expect them to deliver similarly good dynamics, even if the handling envelope of the rear-drive petrol GLB200 and the front-drive GLB250+ EV is more limited.
For more relaxed drivers, the GLB offers an easy driving experience. Outward visibility is generous, and all of the controls feel particularly intuitive in the electric models. It's also very quiet on the move, and doesn't feel huge from behind the wheel.
Best of all, we heard no safety-related beeps or bongs during our launch drive. Somehow, an automaker has figured out how to make a modern SUV that rides well, handles well, and doesn't pester you while driving.
However, the GLB begins to separate when it comes to powertrain behaviour, because – frankly – the EV is better to drive.
It dispenses with the petrol model's eight-speed dual-clutch auto, eliminating any potential hiccups when shifting. The only shift you'll notice comes when demanding strong acceleration above 100km/h, when the two-speed transmission changes ratios. It's hardly an inconvenience, though.
Above all, the electric powertrain is predictably smooth, with good throttle and brake pedal calibration. It doesn't feel like a spaceship, though you can certainly make it sound like one with any of the six included 'Sound Worlds'. It's a gimmick, but it's fun and characterful.
You also get three different brake regen strengths adjustable via the steering wheel paddle shifters. We always appreciate the convenience of adjusting this on the fly, and all strength levels are easy to get used to – there's even a true 'one-pedal' setting for those so inclined.
Of course, the electric performance is also strong. The dual-motor GLB350 EV is comfortably quick when you lay into it, and the all-wheel drive setup means traction is no issue.
Things change when you switch to the MHEV. Performance in the all-wheel drive GLB220 may be decent under hard acceleration, and it may be smooth at cruise, but it struggles in low-speed driving.
It is capable of driving on pure electric power, but only briefly, given it has a modest power peak of 22kW. Once you exceed that ceiling, it takes a second for the petrol engine to fire up and take over.
It's almost as if the car is surprised every time you need the engine, creating a short but obvious dead spot when you gently accelerate. The dual-clutch auto is typically unfriendly at low speeds, too.
It's still possible to crawl along in stop/start traffic on electric power alone, but we feel the electric motor should be more flexible, and the engine should fire up earlier. The brake pedal could also do with better feel.
We had the exact same complaints about the mild-hybrid CLA we reviewed earlier this year. The two cars use the same powertrains, so that's to be expected.
At least the petrol GLB sounds alright under load, and cabin refinement remains good. You can also flick over to Sport mode to keep the engine firing, which makes the GLB220 feel much more like a sharp Euro SUV with a dual-clutch auto. Nitpicks, but worth mentioning.
All told, the new GLB is a lovely SUV to drive, and it's at its best as an EV.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
The new GLB is available in four variants.
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLB200 equipment highlights:
- 48V MHEV powertrain
- Front-wheel drive
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Tyre repair kit
- Auto LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 'ARTICO' black synthetic leather seat upholstery
- Power-adjustable front seats with position memory
- Heated front seats
- Head-up display
- 10.25-inch digital instrument display
- 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Bluetooth
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Google Maps
- AI-powered virtual assistant
- Over-the-air (OTA) software updates
- 4 'Sound Worlds' audio profiles:
- Sliding second row
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Panoramic glass roof
- Keyless entry
- 4 drive modes:
GLB220 4Matic adds:
- All-wheel drive
- AMG Line package:
- Terrain drive mode
GLB250+ adds:
- Electric powertrain
- Rear-wheel drive
- 800V electric architecture
- Illuminated front grille
- Satellite navigation with intelligent EV route planning
- 2 EV-specific 'Sound Worlds' audio profiles:
- Under-bonnet storage
Being a non-4Matic model, the 250+ lacks the Terrain drive mode.
GLB350 4Matic adds:
- All-wheel drive
- Terrain drive mode
Options
A handful of optional extras are available for the new GLB.
AMG Line package (GLB200 only, $3200) adds:
- 20-inch AMG alloy wheels
- Adaptive damping
- AMG exterior styling
- Nappa leather-wrapped sports steering wheel
- Light carbon-grain aluminium interior trim
- 'Sporty engine sound'
- AMG floor mats
The GLB220 4Matic, GLB250+, and GLB350 4Matic come standard with the AMG Line package.
Plus package ($4000) adds:
- Coated brake discs
- 'Multibeam' LED headlights
- Full-width rear LED light bar
- Front-seat massage function
- MBUX Superscreen 14-inch front-passenger display
- 16-speaker Burmester 3D sound system
- Sound personalisation
- Interior ambient lighting
- AMG illuminated front door sills
Ivory Beige/Black Artico synthetic leather seat upholstery is available for all variants at no extra cost.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB safe?
The new Mercedes-Benz GLB has not yet been crash-tested by ANCAP nor Euro NCAP and is therefore unrated. Mercedes-Benz says it aims to have the GLB assessed in 2027.
Standard safety equipment highlights:
- 8 airbags
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Emergency stop function
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Lane-keep assist
- Parking assist
- Surround-view monitor
- Traffic sign recognition
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Mercedes-Benz GLB cost to run?
Mercedes-Benz Australia backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and its high-voltage EV battery packs with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. Servicing for all GLBs is required every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first.
As ever, Mercedes-Benz maintenance costs are very expensive. Volkswagen covers maintenance for the petrol Tayron under a five-year plan that costs as much as $3461 depending on the variant.
Tesla doesn't outline traditional maintenance programs, so we'll look to Audi for a European EV comparison. A six-year service plan for the Q6 e-tron costs $2080, less than half that of the GLB EV's five-year plan.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert's Take on the Mercedes-Benz GLB
The new GLB surprised us – it's easily one of the most enjoyable mainstream Mercedes-Benz SUVs we've driven in recent times.
From a driving perspective, it doesn't do a whole lot wrong. It's very comfortable and impressively refined, with pleasant steering and an overall character that makes it nicer to drive than plenty of other seven-seaters.
It's best as an EV, because the MHEV still has some of the transmission/electric-motor quibbles of its sedan counterpart. The EV is simpler and more intuitive, and we like the ease of customisation – be it the regenerative braking or the whimsical sounds.
However, the screen-heavy setup inside the GLB is a bit much, and some fittings feel cheaper than we'd expect. Even if it's comfortable, there's a level of inelegance that we're reluctant to forgive. Oh, and the servicing costs are painful.
All in all, however, the GLB is a very compelling package, and it might just make more sense for you than its CLA sister model.
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MORE: Explore the Mercedes-Benz GLB showroom
Pros
- Fantastic ride and handling
- Comfortable and spacious inside
- Cheaper than a CLA
Cons
- Ridiculous servicing costs
- Too much screen
- Choppy MHEV behaviour