First Drive: Mercedes-Benz GLB 350 4MATIC electric.

Seven-seats and an electric drivetrain don’t often come in the same package – add a third row and an 85kWh battery, and you're rarely still talking about an everyday SUV. The soon-to-launch Mercedes-Benz GLB 350 4MATIC electric is the exception: it offers seven seats, all-wheel drive and 554km of WLTP-tested driving range, without extra bulk.

The GLB 350 4MATIC sits atop an electric line-up that includes the all-electric rear-drive GLB 250+ model. All share an 85kWh usable battery and 800-volt architecture. In the upcoming GLB 350 4MATIC, dual electric motors deliver 260kW and 515Nm to all four wheels, accelerating from 0-100km/h in as little as 5.5 seconds.

 

Familiar shape, modern execution

 

The GLB isn't just another SUV. Its upright front, steep windscreen, short overhangs and squared-off proportions set it apart from the rest of the SUV pack.

 

Electric GLB variants get an even more distinguished identity via the front-facing panel that contains 94 individually animated LED stars. The underlying aesthetic remains recognisably Mercedes-Benz, though: substantial, with clean surfacing and enough traditional SUV cues to feel practical, yet modern.

 

That impression continues inside. Seven seats are standard across the GLB range via a foldable third row, while the longitudinally sliding second-row bench allows passenger and luggage space to be apportioned according to need. With the third row stowed, there’s 480 litres of luggage capacity, expanding to 1605 litres with both rear rows folded. The electric variants of the GLB each add a particularly useful 127-litre ‘frunk’, or front trunk, under the bonnet.

 

Headroom has increased in the first two rows over the outgoing model, while a standard panoramic glass roof adds to the feeling of spaciousness.

 

Up front, the optional MBUX Superscreen adds a 14-inch passenger display and places it beneath one glass surface, together with a 10.25-inch driver display and 14-inch central touchscreen. A new operating system dubbed MB.OS combines with fourth-generation MBUX to underpin the digital experience, including a Virtual Assistant using ChatGPT-4o, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini. Simultaneously, there are also physical steering-wheel controls for frequently used functions including volume and cruise-control settings.

What is the GLB 350 4MATIC like to drive?

The first thing you'll notice about the upcoming GLB 350 4MATIC electric is that a practical, seven-seat family car needn’t feel ponderous on the road.

Covering 0-100km/h in as little as 5.5 seconds gives it serious straight-line performance. Especially useful is the 515Nm immediately available when pulling into fast-moving traffic or overtaking. Press the accelerator and the response is prompt, strong and – as you might expect from an EV – largely seamless.

This GLB uses a two-speed transmission rather than the single-speed reduction gear found in most EVs. Its operation in normal driving is almost imperceptible, with the change to the taller ratio generally only noticeable under acceleration at higher speeds. 

The result is a powertrain that feels effortless – arguably the ideal character for an electric SUV used for school runs, daily commuting and long-distance family trips.

Comfort remains central to the experience. The 20-inch wheels roll on standard adaptive damping, while DYNAMIC SELECT allows the driver to choose between the compliant Comfort setting and a firmer, more responsive Sport calibration. Upright seating contributes to good all-round visibility.

The 4MATIC drivetrain adds another dimension. Its Terrain Mode is intended for loose or more difficult surfaces, while the ‘Transparent Bonnet’ function uses the vehicle’s cameras to provide a virtual view of the terrain both immediately ahead and beneath the front of the car. This gives drivers extra confidence when a family weekend trip involves gravel roads or rough tracks.

Technology is also useful at lower speeds. The MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360 package combines PARKTRONIC, Parking Assist, a reversing manoeuvre function, 360-degree camera and rim protection warning. The standard 360-degree camera and Park Assist function are particularly welcome when negotiating tight car parks. 

Electric touring, without range anxiety

The GLB electric’s 85kWh usable battery supports DC charging at up to 320kW, which can replenish from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. The GLB 350 4MATIC electric model can recover up to 260 km of range (WLTP) from a 10-minute charge under suitable conditions. 

MB.OS also allows the onboard navigation to consider charging requirements and real-time vehicle and route information when planning a journey. 

That's significant, because the upcoming GLB electric’s real achievement isn’t found in any single number or attribute. It’s the combination of seven seats with useful storage, strong performance, rapid charging, all-wheel drive and more than 550 km of driving range.

With the GLB 350 4MATIC, you get a useful and versatile family-size Mercedes-Benz with all the advantages an electric vehicle brings.