The 2026 GLB abandons its old EQB/EQ split, gains a stretched platform, and adopts Mercedes’ latest electric architecture.
1. A New Generation That Replaces the EQB
Mercedes has effectively retired the EQB name, folding its electric compact SUV into the GLB family. The new model launches exclusively as an EV, available in both five- and seven-seat layouts. Hybrid versions will follow later, but at launch, the GLB fully replaces the EQB “in everything but name,” marking a clean break from the old dual-lineup strategy.
2. A Larger Footprint in Nearly Every Direction
The second-generation GLB pushes the boundaries of the “compact” label. It grows 1.9 inches longer (now 186.3 in), 1.1 inches wider (73.3 in), and stretches its wheelbase by 2.4 in to 113.7 inches. Even though the height dips slightly, down 0.6 in to 66.4 in, the expanded dimensions increase passenger space throughout all three rows. Mercedes says adults up to 5.6 feet can fit in the third row, a rarity in this segment.
3. A Boxy Shape, Minimal EV/Gas Distinctions
Mercedes is moving away from the old EQ-specific design language. The new GLB’s electric and soon-to-arrive mild-hybrid versions share nearly identical exterior styling, differentiated mostly by grille patterns. The profile remains upright and blocky, echoing the early GLK more than the rounded EQB. Up front, star-pattern daytime running lights bookend a tall grille, and a full-width light bar spans the rear, styling that borrows from the EQXX Concept.
4. Expanded Storage, Including a True Front Trunk
Electric packaging finally gives the GLB a real frunk. It offers 4.5 cubic feet up front, while rear cargo space ranges from 19.1 cu-ft (five-seat) to 17.0 cu-ft (seven-seat). Folding the rear seats expands that to 60.6 or 56.7 cu-ft, respectively. Article-2’s metric figures, 127 liters in front and 667 liters in back—align almost exactly, highlighting how much more flexible the new platform is.
5. A High-Tech Cabin With Three Large Displays
The GLB adopts Mercedes’ Superscreen layout: a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 14-inch center display, and a 14-inch passenger screen. The dashboard itself is flat and minimalist, but a few physical shortcut buttons remain. The panoramic glass roof includes 158 illuminated stars that can fade from opaque to transparent with a tap, one of the model’s most theatrical touches.
6. MBUX Now Runs on Unity—and Uses ChatGPT
The 2026 GLB is one of Mercedes’ first models to integrate its fourth-generation MBUX software, built on the Unity game engine. It incorporates Microsoft and Google AI systems and debuts a “Virtual Assistant” based on ChatGPT-4o. This turns voice control into a conversational interface; as one report notes, the system is designed to feel far more interactive than conventional car assistants.
7. Two Launch Models With an 85-kWh Battery
The GLB 250+ with EQ Technology uses a single rear motor producing 268 hp and 247 lb-ft (with brief boosts up to 335 lb-ft). It reaches 62 mph in 7.4 seconds. Above it sits the GLB 350 4Matic, which adds a front motor for 349 hp and 380 lb-ft, dropping the 0–62 time to 5.5 seconds. Both are governed to 130 mph.
8. Competitive Range and Extremely Fast Charging
The shared 85-kWh battery yields a WLTP rating of 392 miles for the single-motor configuration and 381–382 miles for the dual-motor version. With 800-volt architecture and peak charging at 320 kW, a 10-minute session adds a quoted 161 miles of range, an unusually high gain for a compact SUV.
9. Seven Seats in a Class That Rarely Offers Them
Neither Audi nor BMW sells a seven-seat EV in this size class, giving the GLB a distinct niche. Mercedes’ decision to retain three rows reflects demand from buyers who want occasional seven-person capacity without moving into GLE or GLS territory. The stretched wheelbase directly benefits the second and third rows, and the rearmost seats remain usable for average-height adults rather than only children.
10. Pricing Is Set in Europe, With More Variants Coming
German pricing begins at €59,048 for the GLB 250+ and €62,178 for the 350 4Matic. A lower-priced electric version arrives next year, followed by several mild-hybrid options featuring 48-volt systems. Mercedes expects three total power levels across front- and all-wheel-drive formats once the full range is available.
