Mercedes-Benz is pushing forward with its compact lineup overhaul, and the freshly revealed 2026 GLB marks one of the most significant updates yet. Although it keeps the boxy, upright look that made the original GLB and even the old GLK appealing, everything else has evolved for the next generation. The new model embraces Mercedes’ latest design direction, filled with subtle three-pointed-star details throughout the exterior and cabin, giving the SUV a more premium and futuristic feel.
Just like the new CLA, Mercedes is leading with the electric variant. The company has officially dropped the “EQB” name, instead branding the electric crossover as the GLB with EQ Technology. And despite still being labeled a compact SUV, the 2026 model has grown noticeably. It’s 1.9 inches longer at 186.3 inches and 1.1 inches wider at 73.3 inches, while overall height has slightly decreased. The wheelbase also stretches to 113.7 inches, helping increase interior space. Thanks to these changes, both headroom and legroom have improved across all three rows, and Mercedes says passengers up to 5.6 feet tall can comfortably sit in the third row—an advantage over rivals like BMW and Audi, which don’t offer seven-seat EVs in this segment.
Visually, it’s now harder to distinguish the electric GLB from its gasoline-powered sibling. Mercedes is unifying its separate EV and ICE styling languages, making only minor differences in grille design. Higher trims can be equipped with 20-inch wheels paired with standard adaptive dampers, enhancing both comfort and handling. The door handles now sit flush with the body to improve aerodynamics, and the cabin introduces a trio of large screens: a 10.3-inch digital cluster, a 14-inch main infotainment display, and a 14-inch passenger screen. Physical controls haven’t disappeared entirely—several shortcut buttons remain—and the panoramic roof incorporates 158 illuminated stars that can shift from opaque to transparent.
Practicality has also been upgraded. The electric GLB offers a 4.5-cubic-foot front trunk—more than the CLA—and up to 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row in the five-seat configuration. Opt for the seven-seat version, and that number becomes 17.0 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats expands storage to as much as 60.6 cubic feet.
Performance varies depending on the configuration. The GLB 250+ with EQ Technology delivers 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque from a single-motor setup, sprinting from 0–62 mph in 7.4 seconds. The more powerful GLB 350 4Matic uses a dual-motor system with a combined 349 horsepower and 380 lb-ft, cutting the 0–62 time to 5.5 seconds. Both models are electronically limited to 130 mph. Power comes from an 85-kWh battery pack, which provides up to 392 miles of WLTP range for the single-motor version and 381 miles for the dual-motor one. Fast-charging at 320 kW can add around 161 miles of driving range in just 10 minutes.
Orders for the electric GLB are already open in Germany, with customer deliveries scheduled for spring. Pricing starts at €59,048 for the base configuration and €62,178 for the dual-motor 4Matic model. Mercedes also confirmed that more affordable electric versions, as well as a mild-hybrid GLB powered by a 1.5-liter turbo engine, will join the lineup in 2026.
