Updated 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB range arrives

The refreshed 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB line-up has arrived on Aussie soil armed with a new look, fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology and a heap of new standard equipment.

However, the upgrades for the mid-size seven-seat premium SUV inevitably come at a cost, with prices increasing by between $431 and $5900 depending on the variant, with the biggest increase applied to the entry-level, front-wheel drive GLB 200, which now starts at $72,900 plus on-road costs.

The middling GLB 250 4MATIC all-wheel drive, meantime, starts at $84,100 plus ORCs (+$3531), while the top-of-the-line GLB 35 AMG can be now had from $102,900 plus ORCs, which is up by only $431 because it brings the least amount of newfound equipment.

Every new GLB features a tweaked bumper design, new LED headlights and reworked tail-light clusters, while the four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines residing under their bonnets have all scored a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

The new electrification measures are said to improve the GLB’s fuel economy (concrete figures haven’t been confirmed yet, but odds are it will only be 0.1 or 0.2L/100km) and temporarily provide an extra 10kW during hard acceleration.

The electric motor’s input isn’t consistent enough to warrant a change to official engine outputs, meaning the 1.3-litre unit in the GLB 200 still develops 120kW/270Nm while the bigger 2.0-litre powertrains in the GLB 250 and GLB 35 AMG churn out an unchanged 165kW/350Nm and 225kW/400Nm respectively.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has been making a habit recently of fitting the most commonly specified options as standard equipment to streamline the purchasing process, which in the context of the GLB means non-AMG grades now score the AMG Line exterior, panoramic sunroof, 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, heated and power-adjustable front seats with memory function and metallic paint.

The extra toys mean the range of options has also been overhauled and compacted into a singular ‘Plus Package’ ($3770), which adds the Driving Assistance Package, augmented reality sat-nav, illuminated door sills, a Burmester surround sound system, head-up display, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, MULTIBEAM LED lights, MBUX Interior Assist and puddle lamps.

“The spacious seven-seat GLB compact SUV comes with more extensive standard equipment, as well as a redesigned front bumper with visual underbody protection, pointing to its off-road genes,” said Mercedes-Benz.

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