- Mercedes-Benz will release the second generation of its GLB subcompact SUV for 2027
- It will be offered as an electric vehicle at first, and later, as a hybrid
The Mercedes-Benz GLB has always been an unusual yet appealing little vehicle.
It’s small enough to classify as subcompact, but available with a tiny, fold-down third row of seats usable in a pinch. It provides the famous Mercedes smooth ride for a price slightly lower than the average cost of a new car this year.
Mercedes will redesign the GLB for the 2027 model year, and while we don’t know pricing yet, its basic virtues seem unchanged. What’s new? Electric or hybrid powertrains.
Two EV Setups, Hybrid Coming Later
The 2027 GLB will arrive first as an electric vehicle (EV), available with a choice of power levels.
Mercedes officially calls them the GLB 250+ with EQ Technology and GLB 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology, but we’ll stick with GLB 250+ and GLB 350 4Matic for simplicity’s sake.
The 250+ will use a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, an approach that trades away some power for more range. It should be powerful enough, at 268 horsepower, to pose no problems. Mercedes lists its range at 392 miles in European testing, but testing by America’s EPA tends to result in shorter figures. The low 300-mile range seems likely.
The 350 uses two motors for all-wheel-drive (AWD) grip and 349 hp. The company lists its maximum range at 381 in Europe, so likely a little below 300 miles here. It operates in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) mode unless the front motor is needed for added traction, helping explain why the range is relatively similar for the more powerful model.
Later in the year, a hybrid edition will appear. It pairs a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electric motor. The company has kept power figures to itself for now, but notes that it can operate on electricity alone up to 27 mph.
Third Row Still an Option
The GLB has always been big for its class, but it’s growing for 2027. The new model is nearly four inches longer and 1.1 inches wider than the one it replaces.
Mercedes will still offer 5- and 7-seat configurations. The third row remains tight and is best used only occasionally. But the company says the rear doors open wider than before, and the second row slides forward more, so it should be easier to access the third row when you do need it.
Mercedes will offer a variation of its dash-covering Superscreen setup for the first time in a subcompact model. It combines a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch central display, and a 14-inch passenger display to cover most of the dashboard in screen surface.
They operate the fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) interface. It includes a virtual assistant that you can converse with, powered by ChatGPT 4.
Mercedes is one of several automakers slowly returning to real buttons on steering wheels after negative user feedback about smooth, touch-capacitive controls. This time, that means a rocker switch for cruise control and a roller for volume.
Nearly all of the car’s software can be updated over-the-air.
As long as Mercedes can keep pricing reasonable, the updates should keep the GLB an attractive option for entry-level luxury shoppers.
