Mercedes Serves Up Another Baby SUV

Unlike the diminutive A-Class, the GLB offers buyers people-mover like versatility, with three rows packed into the classic SUV shape.

In a release on Tuesday (June 11), Mercedes-Benz spruiked the GLB as a vehicle that lets you bring all the family and friends along for the fun in rather gushing terms.

“Powerful proportions with short overhangs and off-road-oriented design as well as optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a special off-road light which helps detect obstacles immediately in front of the vehicle at low speeds—the new Mercedes-Benz GLB is a versatile SUV.”

The GLB clocks in with a longer wheelbase than the B-Class MPV at 2829 mm—ten centimetres more than the B, giving the last two seats in the third row a little more space.

The company said that the GLB was a natural progression when it came to what it manufactured for customers.

“One in three Mercedes-Benz cars is now an SUV, and one in four a compact model. A compact SUV like the GLB therefore combines all the success factors of the company's highest-volume segments.”

The GLB sets itself apart from the other seven compact models identified by Mercedes in its range by having a third row.

“The seats offer people up to a height of 1.68 metres a comfortable amount of space,” said the release, going on to describe the extensive safety equipment in the new model that Mercedes pegs its reputation to.

Luxury details, too.

“Comfort details in the third row include two drinks holders between the seats as well as two stowage compartments with a rubberised insert on the left and right in the load compartment trim, each with a USB port. The seats can be lowered so that they are flush with the load compartment floor in order to extend the load compartment.”

For the record, the other seven models in the brands ‘compact’ range are the A-Class, A-Class Saloon and long-wheelbase A-Class Saloon, B-Class, CLA Coupé, CLA Shooting Brake and the GLA.

The GLB will be available in two models when its launched later this year—the GLB 250 and GLB 250 4MATIC.

Pricing details will be available closer to when buyers can get their paws on a GLB—it should be on sale in the US by the end of 2019—so, later for Australia.