It appears automotive producers are eager to maneuver away from the new-fangled, EV-specific branding insurance policies they have been all speeding in the direction of in the course of final decade, and as a substitute they’re now returning to heritage nameplates in one thing of a rush.
Mercedes-Benz is rowing again from the so-called ‘EQ’ sub-group of fashions it was initially decided to arrange.
In consequence, automobiles like this one – the second-generation GLB mid-size SUV – aren’t offered with two totally different badges relying on their propulsion. So the zero-emissions GLB is not referred to as the EQB however now goes beneath the less complicated moniker of GLB Electrical.
It was going to be the ‘GLB with EQ Expertise’ to retain some form of familial hyperlink to this transient interval in Mercedes-Benz historical past, however that’s unusually wordy so plain outdated ‘Electrical’ it’s.
Obtainable in Europe in two codecs with one large battery, the brand new GLB Electrical nonetheless represents one of the inexpensive methods to get right into a seven-seat electrical automobile from a premium auto model, whereas remaining a automotive with a comparatively small footprint on the highway.
To see how good it’s, or in any other case, we headed over to the UK to pattern the brand new GLB Electrical 250+ forward of its Australian launch.
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical value?
We’ve already requested the query of Mercedes-Benz Australia and been advised that, with the brand new GLB happening sale right here within the remaining quarter of this yr, native pricing and spec ranges have but to be set in stone.
The outgoing Mk1 GLB is at present priced from $72,900 earlier than on-road prices, with the electrical EQB spin-off retailing on the far aspect of $90,000.
We’re anticipating the brand new GLB, Electrical or in any other case, to command greater worth tags.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s the Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical like on the within?
The cabin of the brand new Mercedes GLB is dominated by the dashboard.
The huge, cliff-face edifice is named the MBUX Superscreen and, whereas the exact variety of digital panels you get inside it is determined by ticking sure choices containers at ordering time, there’s little question it may very well be a probably divisive determination by Mercedes-Benz to go in so heavy on the technological entrance.
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If you happen to like numerous digital shows, then the slab-like band of them throughout the fascia of the GLB Electrical is certain to impress you. At its most spectacular, there are two 14-inch screens for the central infotainment system and the passenger-side show, and one other 10.25-inch unit serving because the instrument cluster.
To be truthful, they’re all introduced with super-sharp graphics and crisp response charges, though there’s a dearth of bodily switchgear within the cabin, that means most capabilities have to be operated via the center show. At the very least the menu format is intuitive, so it’s not a complete nightmare to need to work together with the Superscreen interface.
Past that, cabin materials high quality feels superb, albeit not large, and we’re undecided in regards to the mismatched transmission-tunnel trim which was in our check automotive, that includes straight and curved traces on a white background.
The panel surrounding the cupholders is intentionally mismatched, so the straight traces are in the direction of the again of the automotive on the passenger aspect however aligned to the entrance for the driving force, but this simply makes it look a bit just like the trim was put in incorrectly on the manufacturing facility.
The seats are good although, and with light-and-shade colourways attainable, the GLB’s cabin feels nearly suitably upmarket sufficient to justify the three-pointed star logos which abound in every single place.
As to passenger area, it’s good within the second row, the place the GLB Electrical has a flat ground, loads of legroom, and 40:20:40-split/folding seats which might all slide forwards and backwards individually. There’s additionally beneficiant headroom within the center row of the cabin, due to the boxy exterior form of the GLB with its excessive roof.
That mentioned, regardless that we admire the packaging work carried out by Mercedes-Benz, which has managed to squeeze seven seats and an enormous battery pack right into a automobile which is simply simply over 4.7 metres lengthy, you’re going to have to simply accept that the third-row seats are a few of the smallest of their kind.
Solely kids of a youthful age could be pleased sitting again there for any nice size of time, whereas with the 2 rear-most pews in situ, the boot area is lowered to a nominal quantity of 145 litres.
However, Mercedes-Benz counters this by offering a relatively giant 127-litre entrance boot, and with the GLB Electrical in five-seat format, house owners may have a beneficiant 540L of baggage capability within the again.
Fold each seat down bar the entrance two, and the Mercedes-Benz EV’s cargo quantity will increase to a sizeable 1715L.
| Dimensions |
Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical |
|---|---|
| Size |
4732mm |
| Width |
1861mm |
| Peak |
1687mm |
| Wheelbase |
2889mm |
| Cargo capability – five-seat variants |
540L (rear seats up) 1715L (rear seats folded) 127L (under-bonnet storage) |
|
Cargo capability – seven-seat variants |
145L (third row up) 480L (third row folded) 1605L (second row folded) 127L (under-bonnet storage) |
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
There are two most important flavours of the Mercedes GLB Electrical: the single-motor, rear-wheel drive 250+ we’re testing right here, and the stronger all-wheel drive 350 4Matic which deploys twin motors.
| Specs | Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical 250+ |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain |
Single-motor electrical |
| Battery |
85kWh NMC lithium-ion (usable) |
| Energy |
200kW |
| Torque |
335Nm |
| Drive kind |
Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight |
TBC |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) |
7.4 seconds |
| Power consumption (claimed) |
15.8-18.3kWh/100km |
| Power consumption (as examined) |
18.1kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary – WLTP |
631km |
| Max AC cost price |
22kW |
| Max DC cost price |
320kW |
You’re 200kW allied to 335Nm from the GLB 250+, leading to a 7.4-second claimed 0-100km/h time and a prime pace of 210km/h.
The GLB 350 4Matic, in the meantime, pumps these numbers as much as 260kW and 515Nm, bringing the 0-100km/h declare down to five.5 seconds. Its prime pace is unchanged.
Intriguingly, like some high-output EVs such because the Porsche Taycan and the associated Audi e-tron GT, the GLB Electrical has a two-speed reduction-gear transmission, slightly than the way more commonplace single-speed mechanism.
You may, very sometimes, discern the shift because the Merc switches from its shorter, accelerative ‘gear’ to the longer one, however that is solely actually attainable if you’re completely hammering the accelerator and the automotive is shifting nicely past 110km/h. As much as that time, the ability supply of the GLB Electrical is as seamless and easy as you’d anticipate of an EV.
Each variations of the GLB Electrical use the identical 85.5kWh NMC lithium-ion battery pack, nearly all of which is usable, apparently (85kWh, says Mercedes-Benz). You pay a little bit little bit of a variety penalty for the 350 4Matic’s added efficiency, its 614km declare not fairly matching the 250+ variant’s 631km peak.
Mercedes-Benz’s latest EV sits on superior 800-volt electrical structure, so cost instances are speedy. At its quickest of 320kW, it’ll full a 10-80 per cent cost in a claimed 22 minutes, whereas simply 10 minutes of hook-up will add 260km of vary, based on Mercedes-Benz.
In a single day cost instances shall be one thing like 12 hours on a 7.4kW AC wallbox, whereas at 11kW it’ll take 9 hours to utterly prime up the battery within the GLB. There’s an choice to uprate the AC charging to 22kW in that case required.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical drive?
The Mercedes GLB Electrical consists and succesful – and it’s additionally a little bit bit scientific.
We type of wonder if Mercedes-Benz was so eager to smatter its three-pointed star logos in every single place on and within the automotive (together with on the full-width mild strips at each ends of the automobile and on the sprint trim when you don’t go for the utmost Superscreen array), simply to remind you that, sure, it’s a Benz you’re driving.
In the end, it’s a nice sufficient factor, and the trip high quality is fairly first rate throughout the board. So is the rolling refinement, because the GLB filters out wind and suspension noise successfully, though highway roar is usually a contact elevated on poorer surfaces.
There’s a change within the chassis relying on the dimensions of wheels you go for, too. If Australian-market vehicles comply with European-spec GLBs, then something on 19-inch alloys or smaller will include standard, passive springs and dampers.
Stepping as much as 20s as a substitute provides the mid-size SUV adaptive shock absorbers, and with a really transient comparative drive in a 350 4Matic obtainable on the finish of the day, we are able to inform you the GLB is improved with the extra superior suspension tech.
It simply has a greater degree of vertical management within the wake of bumps with the adaptive shocks, stopping the sensation of the entire SUV getting up on its tiptoes, which manifests within the 250+ if you drive over bigger lumps and thru deeper compressions at pace.
Neither model of the GLB Electrical is a hoot within the corners, although. It’s a refined factor, with not an excessive amount of lean and positively weighted steering being highlights of its dealing with. However there’s not a lot really feel via the wheel for the driving force, neither is there a lot pleasure to be extracted by making an attempt to hustle 2.7 tonnes of electrical SUV via corners prefer it’s a sizzling hatch.
The GLB could also be comparatively small on the surface for a seven-seater, however it’s under no circumstances a light-on-its-feet or thrilling factor to pilot on more difficult roads.
After all, its serene and easy-going manners in day-to-day driving are extra of a boon and what ought to attract prospects, whereas the 200kW GLB 250+ we’re specializing in right here offers greater than sufficient satisfying acceleration urgency for many cheap wants. We will’t think about the 350 4Matic shall be strictly obligatory for many patrons until they want all-wheel drive.
We additionally achieved an vitality consumption determine throughout the official vary on a reasonably untaxing check route in hotter circumstances, however we have been nearer the highest of the quoted WLTP banding at 18.1kWh/100km.
If you happen to may replicate that form of effectivity frequently, you’d be extra like 470km per full cost of the GLB’s battery, slightly than in extra of 600km.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
We’re nonetheless awaiting Australian specs for the Mercedes GLB 250+, but when it have been to comply with the European market’s AMG Line Government grade, then it needs to be comparatively generously geared up:
2026 Mercedes GLB Electrical 250+ commonplace tools highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 10.25-inch instrument cluster
- 14-inch MBUX infotainment touchscreen
- Panoramic sunroof
- Warmth pump
- Selfie and video digital camera with facial recognition
- Distronic adaptive cruise management
- Heated entrance seats
- Entrance and rear parking sensors with reversing digital camera
- Thermatic single-zone local weather management
- LED Excessive Efficiency headlights with adaptive high-beam help
- Tinted, heat-insulating glass
- AMG Line Sports activities seats
- Multifunction Sports activities steering wheel in Nappa leather-based
- Wi-fi smartphone charging
- Keyless entry and go
- AMG physique styling
- Ambient inside lighting
- Artico synthetic leather-based upholstery
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical protected?
Curiously, the Mercedes GLB hasn’t been put via its paces but by both Euro NCAP or ANCAP.
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It comes with a wholesome listing of superior driver help programs although, and durable building on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Structure (MMA) chassis.
Current Mercedes-Benz fashions, together with the associated CLA, in addition to the CLE and E-Class, have picked up full five-star rankings when subjected to the stringent security testing, so we’d anticipate the family-oriented GLB Electrical to attain equally extremely when it is assessed.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical value to run?
Mercedes-Benz Australia has supplied a five-year, unlimited-distance guarantee for all its new automobiles since 2020, plus 5 years of roadside help, and the GLB Electrical’s nature ought to imply longer service and upkeep schedules than the associated hybrid fashions, too.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLB traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-Benz GLB Electrical
There’s a lot right here to commend in regards to the new Mercedes GLB Electrical 250+, which is a powerful packaging feat and one which’s very comfy to drive.
It’s a serene and largely subdued technique to get about, whereas its giant battery and seven-seat standing – even when the third-row lodging is cosy within the excessive – each serve to present it commendable reasonable vary, plus a transparent id within the wider electrical SUV market.
Our solely downside is that the driving expertise it serves up, whereas undeniably cultured, doesn’t in any approach recommend you’re in a Mercedes-Benz. Clean off all of the three-pointed star emblems right here, and you possibly can be in virtually another high-riding EV when you’re on the transfer.
So if you think about a possible beginning worth approaching $100,000 in Australia, the query shall be whether or not the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLB can justify its premium positioning within the market amid a sea of mid-size electrical SUV rivals, premium and in any other case.
Eager about shopping for a Mercedes-Benz GLB? Let CarExpert discover you one of the best deal right here
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