New 2019 Mercedes GLB: prices, specs and release date

The all-new 2019 Mercedes GLB family SUV is on sale now, costing from £34,200, with the first customer deliveries expected this December. Prices span up to £45,950 for the GLB 220 d 4MATIC in the top AMG Line Premium Plus trim with seven seats.

Announced in June, the Mercedes GLB will sit between the Mercedes GLA and Mercedes GLC, the GLB will be a more practical SUV with the option of seven seats.

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Based on the Mercedes A-Class platform, the GLB measures in at 4.63m and provides enough space inside for a third row of seats. According to Mercedes, the rear seats can comfortably accommodate passengers up to 5’6” tall. Thanks to a longer wheelbase (the distance between front and rear wheels) than the A-Class, the GLB is only 22mm shorter than the GLC - and it’s actually slightly taller. The space for seven seats means the GLB is boxier than its siblings. In fact, it more closely resembles a baby Mercedes G-Class or GLS.

The choice of engines is broadly similar to the A-Class hatchback, only without the option of the entry-level 1.3-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel engines. Besides the GLB 200 petrol engine, all are 2.0-litres in size and offer 148bhp or 187bhp. In time, we expect a more powerful Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 model to join the line-up, offering just over 300bhp.

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The GLB 200 petrol gets from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and returns up to 47.1mpg, with CO2 emissions of 138g/km. Choose a diesel and the GLB 200 d is available with front- or four-wheel drive, getting from 0-62mph in around nine seconds and returning 56.5mpg. The range-topping GLB 220 d 4MATIC with 187bhp gets from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and returns up to 51.4mpg with emissions of 146g/km.

As it's around £5,000 cheaper than the GLC, the GLB won’t get any six-cylinder engines or the option of air suspension. All models come with an automatic gearbox; the cheapest petrol has a seven-speed automatic gearbox, while all other versions come with an eight-speed dual-clutch auto. Four-wheel drive (called 4MATIC) is available on the GLB 200 d and is standard on the 220 d.

The cabin of the GLB has been filled with parts from the A-Class, along with a uniquely shaped dashboard. The twin widescreen digital dial and infotainment screens are lifted straight from the A-Class and feature Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system, complete with the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and up to three USB-C ports are offered in the front. This car also has a panoramic sunroof, which is likely to be an optional extra.

Trim levels start with Sport, getting 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, a rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control and Artico synthetic leather upholstery. AMG Line trims add 19-inch wheels, a sportier looking AMG body kit, privacy glass and a combination of Artico and microfibre upholstery.

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Five-seat GLB models will have a 560-litre boot, which is 55 litres more than the boot of a BMW X1. Fold the rear seats down and you’ll have 1,755 litres of space - 200 litres more than the X1. However, with all seats up in a seven-seat model, there’s just 130 litres of boot space, which is only enough room for a couple of soft bags. Mercedes has included phone storage cubbies with USB-C chargers in the third row, and the GLB is available with up to four ISOFIX child-seat mounting points.

Do you want to know more about Mercedes’ SUV models? Why not check out our reviews of the G-Class and the GLA.