27 November 2019

New GLB to fill an SUV slot here next year

With every third Mercedes-Benz vehicle now being an SUV, the new GLB compact SUV will fill a slot between the GLA and GLC, writes Brian Byrne.

Available with an optional third row of seats, the car has a longer wheelbase than the B-Class compact car, offering more interior room. The rear seats are essentially for children, with a height of 5'6" available.

The engines are 1.3 petrol and 2.0 diesels with outputs respectively of 163hp and 224hp. A 306hp AMG version will also be available. All are automatics. An AWD drive version will be available.

Driver assist systems include an automatic speed adjustment facility related to the terrain and conditions ahead, as picked out with the map and navigation data.

It also comes with the MBUX graphic display and connectivity systems.

The GLB will be the first of a range of Mercedes-Benz cars to arrive in Ireland in 2020, followed quickly by the GLA, GLE Coupé and GLS. The EQA and S-Class will arrive later in the year, most probably towards Q4.