Mercedes-Benz Introduces its Ninth SUV, the GLB

On June 25, Mercedes-Benz Japan announced the "GLB," the ninth SUV in its lineup, and began accepting pre-orders the same day. The lineup consists of two models, the "GLB20d" and the "GLB250 4MATIC Sport," with deliveries scheduled for around July.

Text by HARA Akira

Spacious Interior Accommodates Seven in a Compact Body

As its name suggests, the "GLB" is an SUV positioned between the Mercedes-Benz "GLA" and "GLC." It features a spacious interior that can seat seven people within a manageable body size, and an exterior design inspired by the G-Class with its square silhouette.

Body dimensions (Length x Width x Height) are 4,634 x 1,834 x 1,706mm for the GLB20d, and 4,650 x 1,845 x 1,700mm for the GLB250 4MATIC Sport.

The exterior emphasizes Mercedes-Benz SUV styling with an underguard, a power dome on the hood, and a twin-louver grille. The side view adopts a square design with nearly vertical front and rear ends, and protective elements at the lower body to guard against stone chips, expressing its authentic SUV character.

The interior features a three-row, seven-seat configuration, leveraging the high roofline and a long wheelbase of 2,829mm. The second-row seats, which can slide forward and back by 140mm and split 60:40, along with the stowable third-row seats, allow for versatile layouts. Safety features are also comprehensive, including ISOFIX-compatible mounting points and top tether anchors on the second and third rows, enabling the installation of up to four child safety seats. Additionally, seat belts with tensioners and belt force limiters are equipped on six seats (excluding the center of the second row), and SRS window bags are provided for the third-row seats.

The luggage compartment features a two-stage adjustable floor, two coat hooks below the tailgate, hooks on either side for bags, a storage compartment, and the "EASY-PACK automatic tailgate" which opens and closes by sliding your foot under the rear bumper, enhancing convenience.

The powertrain for the GLB200d is the "OM654q" 2.0-liter inline-4 clean diesel turbo engine, producing a maximum output of 150ps (110kW) and a maximum torque of 320Nm. For the GLB250 4MATIC Sport, it's the "M260" 2.0-liter inline-4 direct-injection turbo engine, with a maximum output of 224ps (165kW) and a maximum torque of 350Nm. Both are paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission "8G-DCT." The former drives the front wheels, while the latter is all-wheel drive. Combined with a minimum ground clearance of 200mm, it offers not only off-road capability but also the confidence to drive over minor obstacles in the city without concern.

In terms of safety, it features intelligent drive systems comparable to the S-Class. For convenience, it is equipped with the interactive infotainment system MBUX, wireless charging, and the telematics service "Mercedes me connect." The price is 5.12 million yen for the GLB200d and 6.96 million yen for the GLB250 4MATIC Sport.

Inquiries

Mercedes-Benz Call

Tel. 0120-190-610
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.jp/