JMRCAR 
Mercedes’ second-smallest SUV returns with an all-new model. While it may look familiar, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLB shares almost everything with the new CLA sedan. When it goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2026, the GLB will be available as both an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid.
New Platform, New Model
The new GLB is the second vehicle built on Mercedes’ Modular Architecture (MMA), following the new CLA. Essentially, the two share the same core, but in different body styles. Like the CLA, the GLB will offer the same powertrain options and will be available with front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive, depending on the chosen setup
Like the CLA, the GLB EV (formerly known as the EQB) will launch first in two versions: the rear-wheel-drive GLB250+ with EQ Technology and the all-wheel-drive GLB350 4Matic with EQ Technology.
The base rear-wheel-drive model delivers 268 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, paired with a two-speed automatic transmission designed for quick acceleration off the line and efficient cruising. The all-wheel-drive version adds a 107-hp front motor and slightly reduces the rear motor to 242 hp, for a combined output of 349 hp and 380 lb-ft. The front motor engages only when extra performance or traction is needed.
Mercedes reports that the base model reaches 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version does it in just 5.4 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz estimates that the GLB EV will achieve a range of 323 to 392 miles on a full charge of its 85-kWh battery. However, this is based on the more generous WLTP test cycle, so the official U.S. range is expected to be slightly lower.
The 800-volt battery can charge at up to 320 kW on an 800-volt charger, adding 162 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Unlike the CLA, the GLB includes a built-in DC converter, enabling it to charge on older 400-volt chargers without any issues. (CLA owners will need a special adapter.)
The GLB uses the Tesla-designed NACS charging port, allowing it to charge at Tesla Superchargers. An adapter also lets it plug into CCS-type chargers.
Hybrid Model Arrives Later
The GLB will follow a rollout schedule similar to the CLA, with the Hybrid model arriving several months after the EV reaches dealerships. Mercedes has not released official details yet, but we can make some well-informed guesses.
It’s likely to use the same drivetrain as the CLA Hybrid: a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four running the efficient Miller combustion cycle, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and a 30-hp electric motor integrated into the transmission. This setup produces 208 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, enabling the smaller sedan to reach 60 mph in an estimated 7.1 seconds. An extra clutch in the gearbox allows the engine to disconnect for coasting or pure electric driving.
Drivers can manually shift gears by pushing the column shifter toward the dash to upshift or pulling it back toward the steering wheel to downshift.
Mercedes confirms that the GLB Hybrid will be available in both front-wheel drive and 4Matic all-wheel drive. In the all-wheel-drive version, the rear axle can disconnect when extra traction or performance isn’t needed, with up to 40% of power sent to the rear wheels.
