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The all-new GLB will offer plenty of practicality and technology, as well as the option of petrol-hybrid and electric drivetrains, when it arrives in 2026.
Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off the second-generation GLB SUV, with a new model that now incorporates the electric EQB nameplate within the GLB range, giving buyers the choice of petrol-hybrid or full-electric power under the same body and badge.
The new car is 98mm longer and 27mm wider than the previous, with an additional 60mm found between the wheels to aid with interior room. All GLB variants, regardless of powertrain, are available with either two or 4Matic all-wheel drive, and either five or seven seats.
Boot space is 540 litres for five-seat models, and 480 litres for seven-seat models, which can expand to 1715L and 1605L respectively. Electric models also have a 127-litre storage tub under the bonnet. This is up on the previous EQB (495L/1710L) but down on the previous GLB (565L/1800L).
On the models shown, 20-inch wheels are standard, and there are two styling choices: an AMG-Line with body-coloured wheel arches, and a Progressive-Line with black plastic fender arches and a slightly different front fascia.
Styling-wise, star motifs abound, with new LED signatures at the front and rear (along with a bonnet-wide LED 'monobrow'), as well as a decidedly Kia-esque wrap-around LED lamp array to tie in the rear.
A long panoramic roof is standard, but it can be optioned with a variable-opacity function that can increase or mute the amount of light into the cabin. For some extra fun, there are 158 Mercedes-Benz stars incorporated into the roof’s design.
Powering the hybrid is a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (M252) that is mated to a 48-volt hybrid system with a 1.3kWh battery pack.
Specific details for the GLB have not been announced, but the same engine is found in the new Mercedes-Benz CLA range, and offers output between 100kW/200Nm (CLA180) and 140kW/300Nm (CLA220), while returning between 4.9-5.3L/100km.
The engine is paired to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that incorporates the 22kW/200Nm electric motor, affording the hybrid GLB the ability to drive on electric power at low speeds (when less than 20kW is required), and decouple from mechanical drive (with a third clutch) to run on electric power when coasting.
The new electric GLB now features an 800-volt electric platform with an 85kWh battery pack and over 600km of claimed range on all models (on a WLTP cycle). Mercedes-Benz claim the car can operate with between 18.6 and 15.8kWh/100km efficiency (depending on variant).
Charging supports up to 320kW, with Mercedes-Benz claiming owners can add up to 260km of range in just ten minutes, and the car now supports V2H and V2G bi-directional charging.
The rear-drive GLB 250+ with EQ Technology has 631km of range and 200kW/335Nm output, where the all-wheel-drive GLB 350 4Matic with EQ Technology (don’t worry, we won't keep using its full name) has 260kW/515Nm output and up to 614km range.
Inside, all models see the incorporation of the new MB-OS infotainment system that sees a trio of screens – 10.25-inch for the instrument cluster and 14-inch for both the central and passenger touch screens (note that the passenger display will likely be optional) – that utilise a more advanced virtual assistant as well as a suite of apps to enhance passenger entertainment.
There is significant flexibility and functionality improvement to the cabin, where the tall body maintains excellent headroom even for taller passengers.
Safety and assistance technology is well catered for, with eight cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors all feeding a new water-cooled on-board computer.
Australian pricing and specification for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB are yet to be confirmed, with local launch timing set to be in the second half of 2026.
With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
