2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB EV revealed: Mid-size seven-seat SUV boast Benz’s most advanced EV and hybrid tech yet
Mercedes-Benz has unwrapped its larger all-new second-generation 2026 Mercedes GLB.
It replaces the current mid-size EQB EV in the Benz line – as well as the ICE GLB – and challenges the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 with all-electric and hybrid power.
Measuring in 98mm longer and 27mm wider than the SUV it replaces, the wheelbase is also stretched by 60mm to liberate more cabin space.
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The GLB is once again available with three rows and up to seven seats.
Boot space on the GLB with hybrid power is 480 litres with seven seats and 540L with five seats. It expands to 1605/1715L.
Choose the EV and owners gets further 127-litre frunk lurking under the front bonnet.
From launch, two battery-powered versions will be available – a single motor GLB 250+ and a dual-motor all-wheel drive GLB 350+ 4MATIC.
Whichever you choose, both versions come with an 85kWh battery pack that provides for a range of between 542km-631km (GLB 250+) or 521-614km (GLB 350+).
Like the CLA sedan, the GLB comes with 800-volt electrics that allows DC fast charging at up to 320kW, with Benz claiming a 10-minute top-up adding 260km.
AC charging is at up to 22kW.
The GLB 250+ produces 200kW and 335Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h of just 7.4 seconds, while the GLB 350+ 4MATIC produces 260kW and 515Nm of torque for a much-brisker 5.5 seconds.
Designed and engineered to be “electric first”, in Australia the majority of GLBs sold are expected to be the hybrid version.
Despite this, full details of the new hybrid have yet to be released. But it’s thought, like the CLA it borrows its MMA architecture from, there will be three derivatives.
All will come with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is combined with 48-volt electrics, a 1.3kWh battery and a 22kW/200Nm e-motor that lives within the eight-speed dual clutch transmission’s casing.
Expect the GLB 180 to produce 100kW/200Nm, the GLB 200 120kW/250Nm and the GLB 140kW and 300Nm of torque.
The hybrid will be offered with front-wheel drive or with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
When it arrives, the GLB comes with some of Benz’s most advanced driver assist tech that incorporates eight cameras, five radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors that requires a water-cooled supercomputer to process all the data.
Within, the GLB runs the German brand’s latest MB-OS infotainment system that combined three screens – a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch infotainment system and an optional passenger display.
Mercedes Australia has yet to confirm full specification for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB, but the mid-size SUV is expected to touch down in the second half of next year.
