New-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB lands in Australia with four powertrains and lower entry pricing

What has changed

Mercedes-Benz has entered the second generation of its GLB premium mid-size SUV, and the new model is built on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), making it a close relative of the new CLA sedan launched in Australia earlier this year. CarExpert, which attended the Melbourne media drive, reports this is a major step up from the outgoing GLB, which shared its MFA2 platform with the previous A-Class, B-Class and CLA. ¹

The MMA underpinnings enable a multi-powertrain line-up: front- and all-wheel-drive combustion variants supplemented by 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, plus fully electric versions with single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive. CarExpert notes Mercedes-Benz will drop the older bespoke electric EQB in favour of the electric GLB, simplifying the line-up. Guide Auto Web frames the same shift as the brand consolidating petrol and electric models into a single line-up, with the poor-selling EQB discontinued. ¹²

Both seven-seat layouts carry over. Mercedes-Benz says the third row offers more space than before thanks to the larger body, and CarExpert notes the brand admits the rearmost row really works only for people shorter than 171cm. ¹

Australian pricing and rivals

CarExpert reports like-for-like prices are down for the new-generation GLB. The 2027 GLB200 is priced from $65,400 before on-road costs, the GLB220 4Matic from $76,100, the GLB250+ electric from $74,990 and the GLB350 4Matic electric from $86,200. The outgoing GLB200 started at $68,300 before on-road costs, so the entry point has fallen by $2900, and the electric GLB is now up to $15,000 cheaper than its front-drive EQB predecessor. ¹

Against rivals, CarExpert points out the seven-seat GLB remains a unique offering in Australia with limited direct competitors. The similarly sized Volkswagen Tayron ranges from $48,950 to $76,550 plus on-road costs, while the six-seat Tesla Model Y L at $74,900 plus on-road costs is the most direct competitor to the electric GLB, with more power and range but all-wheel drive only. The GLB is cheaper than the five-seat Audi Q6 e-tron, which starts at $89,900 plus on-road costs, and also undercuts its CLA platform-mate, listed at $84,227 plus on-road costs for the CLA220 4Matic MHEV and $91,300 plus on-road costs for the CLA350 4Matic EV. ¹

For context on the superseded car, CarExpert's comparison data lists the 2026 GLB-Class base from $72,983 drive-away, with a 1.3-litre petrol engine, seven seats and a five-year warranty. Those figures describe the outgoing generation, not the new MMA-based model. ⁴

Powertrains and charging

CarExpert details four powertrains. The GLB200 and GLB220 4Matic use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, producing 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm respectively plus a 22kW/200Nm electric motor, driving through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with claimed fuel economy of 6.1L/100km and 6.5L/100km and Euro 6 emissions compliance. The electric GLB250+ uses a single 200kW/335Nm rear motor and the GLB350 4Matic a 260kW/515Nm dual-motor setup, both with an 85kWh NMC battery and two-speed rear-axle transmission. Claimed WLTP range is 570km for the GLB250+ and 554km for the GLB350, with 22kW AC charging, up to 320kW DC and a claimed 22-minute 10-80 per cent charge time. ¹

Charging nuances are worth noting. Guide Auto Web's engineers at the Mallorca drive event explained the 320kW maximum DC rate requires an 800V charger; on a 400V charger, capacity drops to around 100kW. The publication did not charge the GLB during its media drive and plans to test charging after the Canadian launch. ²

Official claimed acceleration per CarExpert is 8.7 seconds to 100km/h for the GLB200, 7.5 for the GLB220 4Matic, 7.4 for the GLB250+ and 5.5 for the GLB350 4Matic. In a two-hour drive program, CarExpert saw roughly 17.0kWh/100km indicated in the GLB350 EV and about 6.0L/100km in the MHEV, though it did not record representative real-world figures. ¹

Guide Auto Web recorded 18-20kWh/100km across mountain roads and highway running in 17-degree conditions, and cites Mercedes-Benz WLTP range claims of 614km for the GLB 350 EQ 4Matic and 631km for the GLB 250+ EQ in its market, noting US EPA figures should land around 520km and 540km respectively. These figures differ from the Australian-market WLTP claims reported by CarExpert, reflecting different test bases and markets. ²

Cabin and equipment

The redesigned front cabin adopts the brand's MBUX Superscreen, with three integrated displays across the dashboard, though the passenger-side screen is optional. CarExpert found the screens slick and high quality but called the arrangement excessive, noting the optional 14.0-inch passenger display is restricted while the vehicle is in motion and questioning whether it is worth ticking. Guide Auto Web adds the GLB is among the first vehicles with the fourth-generation MBUX running on the new MB.OS supercomputer, with faster processing and over-the-air updates, and reports the passenger display shuts off automatically if the driver looks at it while a video plays. ¹²

CarExpert's interior highlights include very supportive seats, a good low driving position, a second row that slides fore and aft by 140mm, and ISOFIX anchors for the third row. It notes the glass roof has no sunshade in Australia, with Mercedes-Benz saying the switchable version available overseas is not offered locally for the time being. All GLBs come with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel, and the electric versions gain a large under-bonnet storage bin. ¹

Cargo capacity per CarExpert is 145 litres with all seats up, 480 litres with the third row folded and 1605 litres with both rows folded, plus 127 litres of under-bonnet storage on EVs. Guide Auto Web cites 540 litres in five-seat configuration and 480 litres in seven-seat form, calling the boot disappointing for the vehicle's size. The new GLB is larger than before: CarExpert lists 4732mm length, 1861mm width, 1687mm height and a 2889mm wheelbase, while Guide Auto Web says the wheelbase has grown by 6cm and overall length by 10cm over the predecessor. ¹²

How it drives, and what to watch

CarExpert's verdict from the all-wheel drive launch cars is emphatic on the chassis: excellent body control, nimble steering and a balance of confidence and comfort it suggests may be a new segment benchmark for ride quality. There is no local chassis tuning program for Australia. CarExpert judges the EV the better drive, with smooth power delivery, adjustable regen via the wheel paddles including a one-pedal setting, and no low-speed dual-clutch behaviours. The GLB220 MHEV, by contrast, shows a short dead spot as the petrol engine fires up beyond the 22kW electric ceiling, along with the dual-clutch auto's low-speed unfriendliness - the same complaints CarExpert had with the mechanically identical CLA. ¹

Guide Auto Web, driving the electric GLB 250+ and GLB 350 4Matic in Spain, echoes the positive chassis findings, praising precise steering, beautifully controlled body roll and strong braking, though it found deceleration excessive in the most aggressive regen setting and recommends sticking with the standard 18-inch wheels over optional 20s for comfort. It also found the semi-autonomous highway driving system worked well in straight lines and gentle curves before prompting resumption of control on twistier roads. ²

Two caveats stand out. CarExpert lists servicing costs among its cons, describing them as ridiculous, and flags the screen-heavy cabin's reliance on submenus for basic functions. As for timing, CarExpert's launch drive confirms the Australian program is under way, while Guide Auto Web reports units are expected to arrive in Canada in late 2026 as 2027 models. MotorTrend, in its first look at the North American version, similarly slated US on-sale timing for winter 2026 with pricing yet to be confirmed at the time of writing. The performance-focused AMG variant is not part of the new line-up: Guide Auto Web's related coverage reports Mercedes-Benz has removed the AMG model from the GLB range, even though a writer there suggested the chassis could handle more power if a brawny AMG were to follow. ¹²⁵

In the United States, the closely related GLA-Class continues in its current generation into 2027 unchanged, with Car and Driver reporting the all-new 2028 GLA-Class will adopt the new platform shared with the next GLB generation. That timeline underlines that the MMA-based GLB is the first of Mercedes-Benz's compact SUVs to make the switch, with Australian buyers getting early access via the four-variant range now revealed. ³