Angel Sergeev is a seasoned automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the automotive industry. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he began his writing career in 2010 while pursuing a degree in Transportation Engineering.
His early work included contributions to the local edition of F1 Racing magazine (now GP Racing magazine) and roles at various automotive websites and magazines.
In 2013, Angel joined Motor1.com (formerly WorldCarFans), where he dedicated over a decade to delivering daily news and feature articles. His expertise spans a wide range of topics, including electric vehicles, classic cars, and industry topics. Angel’s commitment to automotive journalism is further demonstrated by his membership in the Bulgarian Car of the Year jury since 2013.
Mercedes-Benz just pulled the cover off the all-new GLB-Class, and the boxy little family bus grew up into a serious electric SUV. The compact Benz now runs only on electrons at launch, offers up to 631 kilometers of WLTP range (about 392 miles), seats up to seven, and can drag a proper two-ton trailer. Orders open in Europe now, with the first cars hitting the road in spring 2026, and U.S. versions expected to follow as 2027 models.
Vegan? You’ll love the new GLC EV
At launch, the lineup stays simple. The GLB 250+ sends power to the rear wheels, while the GLB 350 4MATIC adds a motor up front for all-wheel drive. Mercedes rates the base car at 200 kW, or 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The twin-motor 350 4MATIC jumps to 260 kW, about 349 horsepower and 380 lb-ft. Official numbers put 0–62 mph at 7.4 seconds for the 250+ and 5.5 seconds for the 350, with both versions topping out at 130 mph.
Both trims share an 85 kWh battery pack and an 800-volt electrical system. On a high-power DC charger, the GLB can accept up to 320 kW and add roughly 260 kilometers, around 160 miles, in just ten minutes. Mercedes quotes 631 kilometers WLTP for the rear-drive 250+ and up to 614 kilometers (382 miles) for the 4MATIC. Expect lower EPA figures, but early estimates still land in the high-200 to low-300 mile range, which puts the GLB right in the hunt with the Tesla Model Y and Volvo EX40.
Under the skin, the GLB rides on Mercedes’ new MMA platform that already sits under the new CLA. The rear motor does most of the work in both trims, and the front motor in the 4MATIC steps in when grip gets sketchy or when the driver calls up full shove. A dedicated Terrain mode tweaks steering, throttle, and stability systems for dirt roads, while the “Transparent Bonnet” camera view lets the driver see what hides right under the front bumper, handy on rutted tracks or steep driveways. Factory tow rating lands at two metric tons, and the hitch can handle 100 kilos of tongue weight, so owners can haul a full-size caravan plus a rack loaded with e-bikes without breaking a sweat.
You can order this battery-powered SUV in Europe right now.
The look stays very GLB: tall, square, and upright, but the details now lean full sci-fi. The grille carries 94 tiny LED stars that can animate, and a light bar ties the headlamps together. Muscular shoulders, short overhangs, and cladding around the arches keep the mini-G-Wagen vibe, while flush wheels and cleaner surfacing pull drag down and range up. At the back, full-width taillights wrap into the hatch and make the car stand out at night.
Size also moves in the right direction. Compared with the outgoing GLB and EQB, the new electric GLB stretches about 3.9 inches longer, grows 1.1 inches wider, and rides on a wheelbase roughly 2.4 inches longer. Rear passengers gain close to three extra inches of legroom, and the second row slides to juggle knees and cargo. The third row still suits kids more than adults, but it gives the GLB a flexibility most compact EVs cannot match.
Cargo space shows the same nerdy attention to packaging. Up front, a 127-liter frunk (about 4.5 cubic feet) swallows cables, a soft bag, or a small cooler. Out back, the five-seat version offers around 540 liters of space, roughly 19 cubic feet, and more than 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Mercedes even claims space for four child seats across rows two and three plus a fifth on the front passenger seat, which tells you exactly who they want in this thing during the week.
Inside, the GLB tries hard to be a tech toy. The optional MBUX “Superscreen” stretches almost pillar to pillar with three displays: a 10.25-inch cluster and a pair of 14-inch touchscreens for the center and passenger. Graphics run on the Unity game engine, so the interface feels more like a console than a traditional dash. A new steering wheel keeps hard keys for cruise and volume, which should make analog fans happy.
The real party trick hides behind the glass. The GLB runs the new MB.OS software stack and the fourth-generation MBUX system, which tie the car to Mercedes’ cloud and pull in AI tech from both Microsoft and Google. That setup enables an always-on voice assistant that remembers context, talks through complex questions, and taps Google Maps data for smarter routing and charging stops. Over-the-air updates can bring new driver-assist features, new apps, or even different instrument cluster looks years after purchase.
Enthusiasts will still care about how it drives, not just how it talks. Adaptive dampers pair with available 20-inch wheels, and the driver can flip between Comfort and Sport using the drive-mode switch. Brake-regen levels vary from strong one-pedal action to a more natural coasting feel. On paper, the 350 4MATIC with its sub-six-second sprint and all-weather grip looks like the sweet spot for anyone who wants a quick daily that can also haul kids, friends, and track-day gear.
Prices in Germany start at just over 59,000 euros for the GLB 250+ and a bit above 62,000 for the 350 4MATIC, with leases aimed squarely at young families and company-car drivers. Cheaper electric and hybrid versions arrive later with the same basic shell, including a 48-volt mild-hybrid gasoline setup for markets that still want a fuel tank. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to the all-electric GLB, which finally gives Mercedes a compact three-row EV that gearheads can take seriously.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Your comment has not been saved
This thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
