2020 Mercedes GLB is 7-seater successor to the GLK - updated
Update: in the meantime Mercedes has confirmed it will present the production version of the GLB already this summer. During its press conference at the 2019 New York International Auto Show the carmaker also disclosed plans for a fully electric version that will go by the name of EQB and will slot below the EQC.
Mercedes thinks there is room for another SUV in its range between the GLA and the GLC. It presents a concept of the future GLB, which uses A Class underpinnings but actually offers more cabin space than the C Class derived GLC.
Designwise it draws inspiration from the boxy GLK, a very polarising model built by Mercedes between 2008 and 2015 that you either loved or hated. The sleek and elegant GLC was supposed to seduce a wider audience, but Mercedes must have realised that some GLK aficionados felt left behind.
The GLB could win these customers back and at the same time seduce more people as it will offer three seat rows to accomodate 7 occupants. The concept car's dimensions are 4,634/1,890/1,900mm (length/width/height), which gives it the same footprint as the GLC but at the same time a much taller stance. The GLC is just 1,639 mm high, which goes to show that the GLB really aims at practicality and roominess.
Prospective buyers will have to wait until 2020 to place their orders. For the time being there are no premium competitors around in the compact 7-seater crossover segment apart from the Land Rover Discovery Sport. In the non-premium segment the Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq, VW Tiguan Allspace and Seat Tarraco could be seen as a potential rival.
