New Mercedes GLB Arrives in Australia with EVs and Hybrids

Mercedes has quietly expanded its compact SUV line-up and the new GLB is the kind of car that forces you to rethink the category. It arrives in Australia with petrol, mild-hybrid and fully electric powertrains, fresh tech and a clearer sense of purpose.

Which versions you can actually buy

The dealer list opens with four trims. Prices start from €37,930 for the GLB 200 and rise to €44,140 for the GLB 220 4Matic. The electric GLB 250+ begins at €43,495, while the range-topping GLB 350 4Matic electric is listed from €51,000. Those are manufacturer recommended retail prices that include GST and any applicable luxury car tax, but exclude on-road costs.

So what do those sums buy? Quite a lot. Every GLB carries Mercedes’ MB.Drive safety package with blind spot assist plus, brake assist, Distronic adaptive cruise functions, lane keeping assistance, emergency stop and evasive steering support. Parking duties are handled by MB.Drive Parking Assist 360, which bundles Parktronic, reverse maneuver assist, wheel-protection warnings and a 360-degree camera. The system leans on five radar sensors, twelve ultrasonic sensors, eight cameras and a water-cooled central computer.

Inside, MB.OS runs the show. A 14-inch central display and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster are standard, with a 14-inch front passenger screen offered as an option. MBUX’s virtual assistant — augmented by AI — listens, maps are powered by Google, and yes, physical switches remain for moments when you want tactile control.

The GLB’s cabin is about real-world flexibility. The second-row bench slides to balance passenger space and luggage capacity. Boot volume starts at 480 litres and expands to 1,605 litres with the rear seats folded. Electric models add a front luggage bay of 127 litres. Electrified GLBs get a distinctive grille treatment with 94 animated LED elements, while the hybrid and petrol variants show a more classic chrome-framed face. Panoramic glass is standard across the range, and Mercedes says occupants gain extra headroom throughout the cabin compared with the outgoing model.

Powertrains, in plain terms

The GLB 200 uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 48-volt mild-hybrid support. Rated at 120 kW (about 163 PS) and 250 Nm of torque, the system can deliver a short boost of roughly 22 kW and added torque from the starter-generator, taking the 0-100 km/h time to 8.7 seconds. It’s front-wheel drive and rolls on 19-inch alloys.

Want more traction? The GLB 220 4Matic keeps the same 1.5-litre base but lifts output to 140 kW (around 190 PS) and 300 Nm. The 48-volt assist still contributes its extra punch. All-wheel drive, 20-inch AMG wheels and a 0-100 km/h sprint of about 7.5 seconds define the package.

The EV entry, the GLB 250+, uses a rear-mounted synchronous motor fed by an 85 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. Peak power is 200 kW, torque 335 Nm, and Mercedes fits a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle. WLTP range is generous — about 626 km — and 0-100 km/h takes roughly 7.4 seconds.

At the top sits the GLB 350 4Matic electric. Dual-motor all-wheel drive bumps output to 260 kW and torque to 515 Nm, which pushes the sprint time down to 5.5 seconds. Range is reported at around 609 km on the WLTP cycle. Both EVs share the same battery and rear transmission hardware; the difference is how liberally the software and second motor apply the power.

Dimensions underline the GLB’s practical ambition: 4,730 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,690 mm tall, with a 2,890 mm wheelbase. Curb weight sits roughly between 2.1 and 2.2 tonnes depending on trim and drivetrain.

The new GLB started production earlier in 2026 in Hungary and reached Australian dealers on September 4, 2026. It’s a pragmatic package — roomy for its class, heavy on safety tech, and available with genuine electric range for buyers who want to avoid compromise.