2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB Caught On Test Again

Mercedes GLB has always been a bit of an oddball in Mercedes’ SUV line-up, offering up to seven seats despite sitting beneath the GLC and GLE five-seaters. An all-new, second-generation version of the practical, family-focused SUV is now on the way, though, and we’ve caught it testing once again.
 

As with all of Mercedes’ upcoming range of compact cars, the GLB will utilise the firm’s new MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture), which will be deployed first on the upcoming CLA – a model we’ve already had a ride in and will see in the metal in the coming months.
 
The use of MMA will allow the GLB to use a multi-fuel approach – although the model spied here looks to be fitted with an internal-combustion engine, with the open grille signifying it is the petrol-powered model.
 
Mercedes provided us with a preview to its future MMA-based line-up back in 2023, and we know the CLA will be followed by two SUVs and a shooting brake estate. The second of those SUVs is the model spied on test, which we would expect to be fully revealed by the end of 2025 ahead of a probable on-sale date in 2026.
 

Although the images show the GLB successor here in full camouflage, there are a few glimpses of Mercedes’ new design language. The overall blocky and upright proportions of the current GLB will be retained to help distinguish it from a sleeker replacement for the GLC. The shape of the GLB should deliver plenty of space in the back, and possibly even allow for seven seats to continue to be offered.
 
The front end is slightly more rounded than the current GLB’s, and the car will incorporate a new three-pointed star headlight signature – something we saw on the Concept CLA Class in 2023.
 
The rear, meanwhile, sports some fake lights with the real ones positioned on the corners. In the middle of the bootlid we can see the Mercedes badge continues to feature a pop-out function for the reversing camera.
 
However, we’ve caught another GLB testing, too, with a few subtle differences including mismatched rear wheels and strangely, a different position for the front brake caliper.
 

Unlike the CLA, which will arrive as an EV in 2025 before a petrol hybrid version comes to the market in 2026, we suspect the GLB successor may come with both hybrid and fully electric power from launch. Mercedes has already confirmed its MMA cars will utilise a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with mild-hybrid power courtesy of a 1.3kWh battery that’s connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Power outputs of 134bhp, 160bhp or 187bhp will be available from the mild-hybrid, though we expect the least powerful version won’t be offered in the new GLB.
 
We suspect the pure-electric EQB replacement will come exclusively with an 85kWh battery and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive set-up, even though the new CLA will have the option of a 58kWh, single-motor, rear-wheel-drive configuration. The maximum range expected of the CLA is around 466 miles, but with its heavier, larger body, the new EQB will fall somewhat short of that figure.
 
Mercedes-AMG makes performance versions of almost every Mercedes passenger car and we expect the new GLB will be no different – although we’ll have to wait to see if AMG fettles the electric variant. So far, only the EQE has been given the AMG treatment from Mercedes’ line-up of electric SUVs.