2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB: First Look

© Mercedes-Benz USA Mercedes-Benz GLB
With the world premiere of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLB, the automaker adds a new compact luxury SUV to the lineup between the current GLC and GLA models. The 2020 GLB rides on a wheelbase 5.1 inches longer than GLA and 1.7 inches shorter than GLC, yet it is the first Mercedes-Benz compact to offer available third-row seating.

© Mercedes-Benz USA Off-Road Look
The exterior design of the production GLB looks nearly identical to the Concept GLB that debuted in April at the Shanghai Motor Show, minus the more aggressive off-road accessories of the concept. The production GLB retains an off-road look with short front and rear overhangs to increase clearance, and black protective cladding over the fender openings and rocker panels — basically on the lower part of the entire vehicle.

© Mercedes-Benz USA Upright Design
The exterior of the new GLB has an upright design with minimal body lines. The upright grille includes the Mercedes-Benz star with dual horizontal elements to each side, flanked by rectangular swept-back headlights. From the side, the GLB displays a strong shoulder line while the lower edge of the window opening kicks up at the rear. “Its iconic design lends the Mercedes-Benz GLB an unmistakable SUV character,” says Gorden Wagener, chief design officer at Daimler AG. “The clear forms with reduced lines and powerful surfaces conveys our design philosophy of Sensual Purity,” Wagener noted.

© Mercedes-Benz USA Available Third-Row Seats
The long wheelbase and large greenhouse help create enough interior space to include two individual third-row seats that can be folded separately — flush into the cargo floor. The second-row seatback is split 40/30/40 and can be folded separately to create a flat load floor. The second-row seat is divided 40/60 and can be adjusted 6 inches fore and aft to balance between third-row legroom, second-row legroom and cargo capacity.

GLB Interior

The GLB interior features a widescreen cockpit with the display and functions controlled by MBUX, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience. Air vents are a familiar sculpted turbine design from other high-end Mercedes-Benz models. On the right side in front of the passenger is an aluminum-look tubular element. Below the three center vents sits a panel for climate controls with an analog look, and buttons that look as if they were milled from a single piece of aluminum. The center console also includes tubular elements with a machined look and the doors include horizontal grab handles that resemble an aluminum tube.

Under the Hood

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is power by an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1800–4000 rpm, combined with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Mercedes-Benz specifications, the GLB will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph.

4MATIC All-Wheel Drive

Available 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution allows the driver to use Dynamic Select to choose different driving characteristics. In standard Eco-Comfort mode, torque is split 80/20 between the front and rear axles, and the Sport mode split is 70/30. In Off-Road mode the all-wheel-drive clutch works as a center differential lock for a 50/50 torque split.

© Mercedes-Benz USA Driving Assistance Systems
The GLB offers driver assistance and functionality from the S Class line with improved camera and radar systems, and can be driven partially autonomously in certain situations. With the available Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with access to navigation data, the system can adjust speed before corners or crossroads. A new function of active steering assist is active lane-change assist.