Mercedes-Benz GLB 350 4MATIC electric 2026 Review

Mercedes-Benz’s naming conventions aren’t always the easiest to follow, so let’s keep things simple. There are four versions of the new GLB available in Australia, including two petrol-hybrids and two fully electric models.

The electric range kicks off at $74,990 plus on-road costs (ORCs) for the rear-wheel-drive GLB 250+, while the more powerful GLB 350 4MATIC, which we spent our time driving, costs $86,200 plus ORCs.

That’s an $11,210 difference, which buys you an additional electric motor, all-wheel drive and a decent whack of extra performance.

Both models share the same 85-kilowatt-hour usable NMC battery, with the GLB 250+ producing 200kW and 335Nm, compared with 260kW and 515Nm in the GLB 350 4MATIC.

The extra grunt brings the 0-100km/h sprint down from 7.4 seconds to 5.5sec, while claimed WLTP driving range is 570km for the 250+ and 554km for the 350.

Both feature an 800-volt electrical architecture, a two-speed transmission and DC fast charging at up to 320kW. Under ideal conditions, Mercedes-Benz claims you can add up to 260km of driving range in just 10 minutes, while AC charging is supported at up to 11kW.

The new GLB is also slightly larger than its predecessor, with more room in the second row and seven seats as standard. Boot space measures 480 litres, expanding to 1605L with the rear seats folded, while the electric versions score an additional 127-litre frunk.

Standard equipment is generous, including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch central touchscreen, head-up display, panoramic glass roof, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, adaptive damping and 20-inch AMG alloy wheels.

There’s also Mercedes-Benz’s latest MB.OS infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity, a 360-degree camera and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems.

For another $4000, the optional Premium Plus Package adds the MBUX Superscreen with a 14-inch passenger display, Burmester 3D surround-sound system and additional lighting features.

And because this is a Mercedes-Benz, there’s plenty of visual theatre, including an illuminated grille with 94 individual LED three-pointed stars.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the new electric GLB is that it actually feels like a good-value Mercedes-Benz, particularly in entry-level 250+ guise. Not something I find myself saying particularly often, but when you look beyond the badge, there’s a lot of car here for the money.

And while the generous equipment list makes a compelling case for the cheaper version, the driving experience is another pleasant surprise.

Behind the wheel of the more powerful GLB 350 4MATIC, there’s 260kW and 515Nm on tap, making it properly quick, yet it doesn’t feel particularly big or cumbersome.

Having driven the fully electric CLA range, the GLB feels surprisingly familiar. The interiors are almost identical, and on the road it’s essentially a slightly heavier, more upright version of its sedan sibling.

The steering is very light in Comfort mode, making it easy to manoeuvre around town, while Sport adds a welcome amount of weight. The ride is fairly floaty, but in a nice way, prioritising comfort over outright sportiness.

Efficiency is another pleasant surprise. We achieved 16kWh/100km in the GLB 350 4MATIC, an impressive result given its dual-motor powertrain and 20-inch wheels.

With more than 550km of claimed range and DC fast charging at up to 320kW, longer journeys shouldn’t be particularly daunting either.

Inside, the screens are crisp and easy to use, with a handy shortcut back to Apple CarPlay. The upper half of the cabin feels properly premium, while there’s generous room in the first two rows, sliding second-row seats and a useful 127-litre frunk.

And then there’s the Mercedes pizzazz. An illuminated grille, panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting and more little glowing three-pointed stars than you could possibly count. Subtle? Not at all. But that’s part of the appeal.

For all its impressive technology and comfort, there’s one rather significant catch with the new GLB: those seven seats.

Yes, there are technically seven of them, but whether you’d actually want to put seven people in this car is another question entirely. Mercedes-Benz recommends third-row occupants be no taller than 171cm, which gives you a pretty good indication that they’re better suited to kids.

Access isn’t particularly graceful, either. Raising the third-row seats involves opening the boot, pulling a red strap and physically lifting them into position before passengers awkwardly climb into the back.

The cabin also feels relatively narrow for a seven-seater, and with all three rows occupied, there’s very little room left for luggage. Realistically, the GLB is a spacious five-seater with two occasional-use seats, rather than a proper seven-seat family car.

Up front, the upper half of the cabin feels suitably luxurious, but there’s a noticeable amount of hard, plasticky material below elbow height, which is disappointing at this price.

Then there’s the optional MBUX Superscreen. In Australia, entertainment apps like YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ are restricted to when the car is parked. That makes the additional screen feel more like an expensive party trick than something you’d use every day.

We also experienced a couple of unusual issues during our launch drive.

The first was a strange, low-frequency noise coming from the rear of our test vehicle. We spent a good amount of time investigating, but the best way I can describe it is that it sounded like a duck softly reading the news from the back seat.

More concerning was an unexpected safety-system intervention. While I was sitting in the passenger seat, the driver’s seat belt suddenly tightened and the car emitted an incredibly loud, static-like warning sound. Think The Ring soundtrack; it was horrific.

There was no obvious obstacle ahead, and we couldn’t identify what triggered it. Both incidents may have been isolated to our test vehicle, but neither is quite what you’d expect from a new Mercedes-Benz.

The GLB 350 4MATIC electric is an impressive package, and there’s a lot to like about the way it drives. But I’m not convinced it’s necessarily the electric GLB I’d buy.

On paper, the GLB 250+ looks like the sweet spot of the range. At $74,990 plus ORCs, it’s $11,210 cheaper than the 350 4MATIC, yet uses the same 85kWh battery, offers the same rapid-charging capability and actually travels slightly further on a charge.

Having driven the different versions of the electric CLA, which shares much of its underpinnings with the GLB, I’m already familiar with what Mercedes-Benz’s latest electric powertrains can deliver.

And while the GLB 350 adds all-wheel drive and a decent whip of extra performance, with 200kW already on offer in the 250+, I suspect most buyers will find the cheaper version more than adequate.

I’d also think twice before spending extra on the Superscreen package. The passenger display looks impressive and is definitely a bit of fun, but with its most entertaining functions restricted while driving, its usefulness drops pretty quickly.

The bigger question is whether you actually need seven seats. If you do, I’d be looking elsewhere, because the GLB is far better suited to carrying five people.

But if you’re after a comfortable, efficient electric SUV with a premium badge, there’s a lot to appreciate here.

And of the two electric versions, I’d save the $11,210, take my family to Fiji for the week and take the GLB 250+ to the airport.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLB electric at a glance:
Price: $86,200 plus on-road costs
Available: Now
Powertrain: Dual permanent-magnet synchronous motors
Output: 260kW/515Nm
Transmission: Two-speed automatic
Battery: 85kWh lithium-ion (NMC), usable
Range: 554km WLTP
Energy consumption: 18.1kWh/100km
Safety rating: Unrated

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