Mercedes’ Smallest Three-Row SUV Gets a Dazzling, Screen-Filled Interior

A First Look at the Next GLB

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is about to get a major revamp, but before its big reveal next month, the German brand is pulling the curtain on the new interior. As expected, it’s dominated by digital displays. The 2026 GLB adopts Mercedes’ MBUX Superscreen – essentially a wall of glass stretching across the dashboard, as seen in the GLC with EQ Technology.

Alongside the new digital real estate, the cabin trades its sculptural surfaces for a more restrained, minimalist aesthetic. Mercedes says it’s focusing on what owners interact with most: intuitive controls, smarter tech, and comfort. The company claims more space than before, with the option of seating for up to seven people. The dashboard, center console, and door panels have all been reworked for a lighter, floating appearance, while subtle lighting details and an optional panoramic roof bring in extra ambience.

Inside the Cabin

Mercedes describes the new GLB’s interior as “purist,” but it still manages to look lavish. Circular air vents with Silver Shadow detailing frame the MBUX Superscreen, while the new multifunction steering wheel features reintroduced rocker switches for the speed limiter and Distronic cruise control. There’s also a roller switch for audio volume – perfect for those who are not convinced by non-tactile controls.

A floating center console and concave door panels simplify the layout, making the cabin feel wider. The second row now has longer thigh support and more legroom, with a sliding seat function that’s standard on seven-seaters and optional on five-seat models. Access to the third row is said to be easier, too, thanks to a revised Easy-Entry mechanism.

Overhead, a panoramic glass roof brings a new trick: its transparency can shift from clear to dark in milliseconds, and an optional illuminated star pattern ties into the ambient lighting system. Beneath the glass, the fourth-generation MBUX system runs on Mercedes’ new MB.OS architecture, complete with a generative AI-powered virtual assistant, Google Maps navigation, and regular over-the-air updates.

Tested to the Limit

While the cabin looks like a showpiece, Mercedes has been busy proving the GLB can still handle serious conditions. Engineers at the brand’s Sindelfingen facility have been running it through extreme weather simulations, from desert heat to sub-zero Arctic tests. The SUV has faced artificial blizzards, wind speeds up to 124 mph, and temperatures as low as -40°F inside the company’s advanced climatic wind tunnels.

The tests ensure visibility, heating, and overall comfort remain consistent no matter the weather. The new GLB’s heat pump, borrowed from the Vision EQXX program, draws warmth from the battery, drive system, and outside air – consuming a third of the energy of a traditional heater. Mercedes claims the system can defrost the windshield in just 15 minutes at 5°F.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB will make its global debut on December 8, 2025. We’ll know more details about the smallest Mercedes SUV then.