Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class News

This Mercedes-Benz SUV just got cheaper in Australia. Mercedes-Benz announced pricing and specifications for the new GLB compact SUV with a price cut of more than $2000 over the outgoing model. It now starts from $65,400 instead of $67,600, before on-road costs for the petrol-powered GLB200. All-wheel-drive power costs more than $10,000 extra, starting from $76,100.  The German giant has also introduced a fully electric GLB for the first time Down Under, starting from $74,990, with the range-topping variant starting from $86,200. The mild hybrid petrol version is still more expensive than the Audi Q3 ($61,600), but is now cheaper than the BMW X1 ($67,500). The new Mercedes-Benz GLB is available in Australian dealerships from today.  Petrol variants employ a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and mild hybrid set-up that produces up to 140kW and 300Nm. Both front-wheel and rear-wheel-drive variants have an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base FWD variant rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, while all other examples feature 20-inch AMG wheels.  Electric variants have a single motor, producing 200kW/335Nm in FWD or 260kW/515Nm in AWD.  Acceleration from 0-100km can be as fast as 5.5 seconds in the AWD.  Electric GLBs are equipped with an 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, offering a driving range of up to 626km in the FWD or 609km in the AWD, both according to WLTP standards. The electric GLB uses an 800-volt platform, so it can DC charge at 320kW and add up to 260km of range in only 10 minutes.  Inside, there is a 10.25-inch digital driver display and 14.0-inch central touchscreen, with an optional 14.0-inch front passenger display, costing an extra $4000 as part of the Premium Plus pack.  Mercedes-Benz also reintroduced physical buttons for key interior functions like audio and climate control to increase functionality and practicality in response to customer feedback.  

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off the new financial year with value-add special edition versions of its key small and medium hatch, sedan and SUV models claimed to add up to $4800 worth of extra features at no additional cost.

Those aspiring to be Mercedes-Benz owners may be in for a shock with the prestige brand recently axing its A-Class small sedan, while increasing prices across its entire range by up to $6000.  The A-Class sedan made its Australian debut in 2019 and joined the A-Class hatchback to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 sedan and Sportback.  The A-Class is also the most affordable entry point into Mercedes-Benz’s entire Australian line-up. Mercedes-Benz says the discontinuation only affects the A-Class sedan and the hatch will remain on sale. “The A-Class sedan is currently still on sale in Australia, however factory orders have been closed,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide.  “Customers can order locally available stock. The A-Class hatchback is currently still available for factory and stock order.”   The A-Class sedan and hatch have been a success story for Mercede-Benz with the total sales for 2024 reaching 1997 — about 50 more cars than the year’s sales for the C-Class sedan. The reason for the sedan’s departure Mercedes-Benz says is to make way for electric and hybrid models which will be the new entry points into the brand. “Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new range of entry-level vehicles built on the all-new, electric-first MMA platform. The upcoming CLA will lead this range, which will include a four-door coupé, a shooting brake, and two SUVs.”  The A-Class hatch might remain but it’s also now expensive with the price rising by $600 to $57,500. Actually, every model in Mercedes-Benz’s entire line-up (there are 64 of them) has seen a price increase with the most expensive Maybach S 680 vlimbing by $6000. Entry into the C-Class sedan range is now $92,600 (up by $1200), while the E-class starts at $132,000 (up by $1586). Mercedes-Benz’s smallest and most affordable SUV the GLA 200 is now $63,600 (up by $700).  Mercedes-Benz told CarsGuide the price increase was caused by several factors but would not go into detail. “As pricing is a dynamic topic that is influenced by a wide range of factors, we can’t provide any further comments,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide.   You can see our table below for the full list of price changes.  Prices listed are before on-road costs but include LCT and GST

Mercedes Benz Australia has issued a statement to media correcting a previous claim its ‘200’ variants across A-Class, GLA, GLB and CLA would feature the brand’s 48-volt electrification. The brand’s local arm has confirmed facelifted entry models in the ‘200’ drivetrain category do not feature the tech, known to many as ‘mild-hybrid’, which it says affects emissions ratings previously claimed. It also says the models will feature a different engine tune if built after a certain date, meaning those built earlier have engines that produce only 250Nm rather than the claimed 270Nm.  While the CLA200 isn’t affected by the latter issue of the engine change, the A200 in both hatch and sedan, GLA200 and GLB200 now come with different specifications than originally claimed based on production timing. Tables with details of timing and specifications based on updated information provided by Mercedes-Benz Australia is available at the bottom of this story. Importantly, the fuel consumption figures from the mislabeled engines are different from advertised. For example, cars fitted with 250Nm engines are likely to have been using less fuel and emitting less CO2 than claimed. A Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the omission of the 48-volt system for Australia was “due to changes in the production schedule”. Original 250Nm engine from launch of facelift models: Updated 270Nm engine:

Mercedes-Benz’s GLB could be the most underrated SUV from the brand with its seven-seater practicality at a good price, but now the entry fee has gone up as the standard features list has expanded.

Mercedes-Benz is continuing the process of updating its line-up by announcing facelifts for both its small SUVs, the GLA and GLB, at the same time.

Episode 228 - Top 10 underrated SUVs

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