The second-generation Mercedes GLB arrives. It’s bigger. It’s boxier. It merges the old GLB petrol line-up with the EQB electric range into one family. Why separate them anymore? It makes no sense.
Seven seats now sit in this premium SUV. Rare trick. The third row is strictly for small humans—kids only, really. But you get four sets of Isofix mounts. That flexibility matters more than it sounds like.
“No other model offers this specific mix of practicality, tech, and plush silence.”
Prices climb fast. The tech? Hard to complain about. Three screens. Lots of resolution. The driving? Quiet. Refined. Plush. But there is weight here. Always weight.
About the Car
It flies under the radar. The GLB sits awkwardly between the GLA and the GLC. It tries to be both. Premium quality checks out. Space checks out. It offers more room than its siblings without shouting about it.
Two electric versions hit first: GLB 250+, rear-wheel drive. GLB 350, 4MATIC all-wheel drive with twin motors. The petrol models wait. Patience required.
Trims split into Sport and AMG Line. Add Executive. Add Premium. Add Premium Plus. Bundles simplify the menu slightly. We drove the GLB 250 AMG Line Premium. Also tested a UK spec 250+. Same bones.
Performance & Driving Experience
Comfort wins. Handling loses.
The suspension prioritizes soft rides. Cornering poise? Not really a thing here unless you pay extra for adaptive dampers. The electric version moves quickly though. Silent acceleration. Punchy delivery.
Speed Numbers
GLB 250+: One motor. Rear wheels. 268 bhp. 335 Nm.
0-62 mph in 7.4 seconds.
Top speed: 130 mph.
Kerbing at 2.2 tonnes. You feel the mass.
GLB 350: Two motors. All-wheel drive. 80 kg heavier. 349 bhp. 515 Nm.
0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds.
Still caps at 130 mph.
The petrol variants are slower. The 1.3-liter four-cylinder in the entry 180? 134 bhp. Takes nearly 10 seconds to 62 mph. The 220 (four-wheel drive) gets down to 7.5 seconds. But compared to the Audi Q3 or BMW X1? The GLB Electric feels sharper.
Is the extra cost of the 350 worth 1.9 seconds?
City & Country Roads
Town driving is easy. Too easy, maybe. Tech abounds. 360-degree cameras on the top model can park itself. Parallel or multi-story. Just sit back. Watch it happen.
Inside? Dead silent. We recorded 85 dB at 30 mph. Among the quietest.
Regenerative braking offers four levels. Steering paddles control them. The strongest mode does one-pedal driving. Smooth. It reduces fatigue in traffic jams.
Highways bring noise reduction too. Wind and road roar stay out. But the ride? It floats. Hit undulating roads and the GLB bobs.
Corners? Avoid hard steering inputs.
Body roll is significant. The car leans. Grip remains adequate, but the suspension wallows over mid-corner bumps. Select ‘Sport’ mode. Firm up the adaptive dampers. It helps. Less bounce. More composure. But the weight never leaves.
MPG, Range & Running Costs
Petrol GLB efficiency sits mid-pack.
180: 47.9 mpg WLTP.
200: 47.1 mpg.
220 4WD: Drops to 44.8 mpg.
Not as efficient as a petrol X1. Better than a Discovery Sport diesel.
No diesel option. Ever. That limits some buyers.
The Electric Range
Here is the big story. An 85 kWh battery lives under the floor. Two-speed transmission helps highway range.
GLB 250+: Claimed 379 miles.
GLB 350: Claimed 360 miles.
Our real-world test in warm weather yielded 315 miles estimated range. Efficiency of 3.6 miles/kWh translates to ~306 miles maximum between charges. Motorway driving hurt us. Town driving likely improves it.
Charging tech is interesting. An 800-volt architecture allows rapid charging up to 320 kW. Theoretically 10% to 80% in 22 minutes.
Catch: Most UK chargers won’t reach those speeds. Mercedes sells a £850 adapter kit for 400-volt systems. Caps speed at 100 kW. Slower than rivals. Home charging takes ~14 hours on a 7 kW wallbox.
Insurance & Tax
Groups run high. Electric GLB starts at 45 out of 50. Top trim hits 48.
Petrol starts at group 28. Cheaper to insure.
Electric bills: Low for company car drivers (3%-5% benefit charge).
Petrol bills: £2,600+ per year for 2026. Ouch.
Luxury tax threshold raised to £50k for EVs. Sport trims escape it. Everything else pays £640 annually.
Depreciation? The electric GLB holds value better than the old EQB. Expected to keep 55-56%. Petrol lags slightly.
Interior, Design & Technology
Boxier outside. Smarter inside? Debatable.
Resemblances to the Smart #5 exist. Angular lines. Flat roofline gains cargo space.
Entry-level ‘Sport’ packs nicely: 18-inch alloys. Sensors. Reversing camera. Panoramic roof. Heated seats.
Step up. ‘Sport Executive’ adds wireless charging. Ambient light. 19-inch wheels.
The Screens
14-inch central display. Standard.
Premium models add a 14-inch passenger screen.
A third dashboard screen exists. Purpose? Entertainment for front passengers? It feels like clutter. Shiny plastic surrounds dominate the dash. LED vents. Ambient lighting themes everywhere.
Build Quality
Upper dashboard? Soft materials. Lower door panels? Hard plastic.
Artico synthetic leather comes standard. Real leather costs more.
AMG Line Premium Plus highlights the center console. Matt white finish looks premium. Tactile.
The door handles? They pop out. Fiddly. Wet hands make it worse.
Mercedes loads cutting-edge tech into every corner. It works well. Menus are intuitive enough. Navigation sharp. Audio systems—especially Burmester—fill the cabin without distortion.
You drive into the future. But the battery anxiety stays with you. The price tag looms. And that third row? Still just for the kids.
Everything else is quite good.
