Mercedes Benz has taken the wraps off the second generation GLB, a seven seat luxury SUV that now sits on the brand’s new MMA platform. The global reveal highlights a wider set of powertrains, including fully electric variants with long range capability. However, the company has confirmed that India will only receive petrol and diesel versions. The new GLB will arrive as a full import, similar to the outgoing model, and Mercedes does not expect large volumes in the Indian market. The global focus remains split between electric and 48V mild hybrid drivetrains, but India will get conventional internal combustion engines at launch. This is probably due to the brand’s long term strategy of keeping its EV push centred around the CLA Electric for the near future.
Revised Exterior With New Lighting Elements
The new generation GLB adopts a noticeably refreshed exterior. The front end sees a large grille that houses the familiar three pointed star, surrounded by connected headlamps with LED star shaped elements. Although the overall silhouette remains boxy, Mercedes has made several proportional tweaks. The GLB is now 98 MM longer, 27 MM wider and has a 60 MM longer wheelbase, which should translate to more usable interior space. The side profile still features squared arches and a strong D pillar, but the window kink from the older model has been replaced with a cleaner line. At the rear, a new inverted U shaped connected tail lamp design gives the SUV a distinctive identity. Electric variants get illuminated star motifs inside the grille, while the ICE versions use chrome accents instead.
Interior Gets New Theme With Updated Tech
On the inside, the new GLB shares much of its design philosophy with the new CLA. A triple-screen dashboard layout dominates the cabin, with the latest MB.OS system running the interface. Mercedes has reintroduced physical buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard to improve usability. The taller seating position from the previous GLB remains, which helps to improve visibility. The second row slides and reclines to improve access to the third row. This boosts the GLB’s appeal as one of the smallest seven seat luxury SUVs on sale globally. Electric variants gain a 127-litre frunk, but this will not apply to India since the EV versions won’t be launched. With the SUV’s increased dimensions, cabin comfort is expected to improve across all three rows.
EV Version Leads Globally But India Will Get ICE Powertrains
Globally, the new GLB debuts as an electric forward model. It gets an 85 kWh battery with up to 631 KM range on the GLB 250+ (272 HP, 335 NM). Meanwhile, the dual motor GLB 350 4Matic (353 HP, 515 NM) gets up to 614 KM range. These versions support 320 kW DC charging, allowing major range recovery in minutes. A mild-hybrid petrol option will also follow internationally, featuring a 1.5-litre engine paired with an 8-speed DCT. For India, though, none of these electrified variants are expected soon. Mercedes plans to offer only petrol and diesel engines at launch, mirroring the first generation GLB’s strategy. Powertrain details for the Indian market are still to be confirmed. A launch timeline has not been shared, so the new GLB is expected to reach Indian showrooms only after Mercedes completes rollouts of other MMA based models such as the CLA Electric.
