Mercedes GLB review

The boxy shape of the GLB means there's lots of front space. Even the optional sunroof doesn’t do much to dent head room, and leg room is copious, even for tall drivers and front passengers. 

There's also plenty of space to store odds and ends. Push a button at the base of the centre armrest and it reveals a deep cubby; in front of the infotainment touchpad, there’s another lidded cubby as well as two cupholders and a dedicated area for your smartphone. Even the door pockets are big.

Very few passengers will have cause for complaint in the second row, either. There's more than enough leg room for a six-footer, even if the front seats are slid all the way back. There's not quite as much leg room as there is in a Land Rover Discovery Sport, though, and the GLB doesn't have as much shoulder room for three people sitting side by side. Head room is decent, but the tiered seating – the second row is mounted higher than the front seats – means it's not as generous as it is for those up front. 

Most versions have two third-row seats as standard, which is a benefit that the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 cannot match. Those rearmost seats are accessed by tilting the outer seats in the second row forwards but, as is the case with the Discovery Sport, getting in and out isn't easy if you're an adult.

There's not a lot of room once you're in, either, because head room is pinched and leg room is non-existent unless you slide the second row forwards (read on for more about that). As a result, the third row is best reserved for kids. If you need a bigger seven-seater, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. 

Every GLB has second row seats that can be slid back and forth to suit your needs. However, while the Discovery Sport's three second-row seats each slide independently of one another, the GLB's only move in a 60/40 split. It's not a major issue, but does hamper versatility a little. The seatbacks can at least be reclined or folded down in 40/20/40 arrangement, though.

Where fitted, the third row seats are raised by pulling them out of the floor, and stowed away again with a light shove.

Opening the tailgate reveals a pretty square cargo area with a no lip at the entrance, making it easy to load and unload bulky objects. With five seats in use, there's 500 litres of space up to the tonneau cover, which is enough for a couple of buggies or large suitcases, but not as much as an Audi Q5, BMW X3 or Land Rover Discovery Sport offer. If you have all seven seats in play, there’s space for a row of shopping bags, but that's about it. 

However, something that the GLB has that the Discovery Sport misses out on is a dedicated slot for the parcel shelf under the boot floor. That comes in handy when you suddenly have cause to deploy the third row of seats.