You know what? Mercedes calls the GLB their most versatile compact SUV, and for once the marketing isn’t overselling it. After nine months with the GLB 200 Premium Plus (2021), I’ve used it as a family hauler, an IKEA mule, a late-night motorway companion, and—on good days—a surprisingly fun weekend drive. It’s a car that toggles between roles with barely a fuss.
Let me explain why.
Who this car actually suits
If you’ve got a growing family, school runs that turn into weekend trips, and the occasional “we probably need to take two cars” moment—you’ll feel at home here. It’s roomy without being hulking, easy to park, and calm on long stretches. Teens can live with it. Toddlers will nap in it. Parents won’t feel punished driving it.
And if you’re wondering about ULEZ and city charges: the 1.3-litre turbo petrol is clean, efficient, and—thanks to that turbo—much punchier than the badge suggests. Small engine, big manners.
Interior tech: wide screens, smart controls, zero glare
The dual 10.25-inch displays stretch across the dash like a single slab of glass. The main screen is touch; the driver’s cluster isn’t (good). You can control everything three ways:
Touchscreen up top
Steering-wheel thumb pads
Touchpad by the armrest
This redundancy sounds boring… until you realise how often it saves you from poking the wrong thing while driving. The panel finish keeps glare down, so you’re not squinting on bright days.
Ambient lighting is tasteful. It’s there, it’s pretty, and crucially it’s not blinding on night drives. Sensitivity to light? Dim it down to exactly where you want it and carry on.
Seating: seven seats that make sense (mostly)
Let’s be straight: the third row is for smaller and younger kids. Teenagers back there on a long trip will form a union and demand breaks. For short hops, it’s fine. For day-to-day, fold those seats and enjoy the space.
The real star is the three-seat middle row. The bench slides about 14 cm, which sounds minor but transforms comfort. We’ve run three adults across the middle for a longer journey and everyone was surprisingly okay with life. That alone sets the GLB apart from a lot of “technically five-seat” SUVs that pinch shoulders.
Up front, both seats are fully electroni, and the driver profiles are brilliant. Save up to three positions in the car, or map each profile to a specific key, so the seat moves the moment your key is detected. Shared cars, fewer arguments.
Boot space: never mind the litres—will it swallow IKEA?
Specs are nice; real cargo is nicer. With the third row folded, the boot is large and flat. Fold the middle row and it becomes a small van. For scale, I’ve fit a STOCKHOLM glass cabinet (feet removed), two rugs, and still had overhead space. That’s the kind of practicality that turns “we’ll get it delivered” into “we’ll take the GLB.”
Lights that think ahead
On startup, the LED headlights do a little choreography—cute—but the point is to hint at how many individual LEDs you’re working with. On back roads, the beams adapt around bends and manage glare when cars approach. You feel looked after, which is what good lighting does: it disappears into confidence.
Safety and the small touches that matter
Exit warning: open a door with traffic coming and the ambient light flashes on that side while a localised chime pings from the nearest speaker. Subtle and effective—especially with kids.
Reversing assist: the rear camera is clear, and the passenger mirror dips automatically to show the kerb while you back in. Parking anxiety, reduced.
Call buttons: a covered SOS switch for serious trouble, and a Mercedes me button for breakdown help. We tested the latter with a late-night puncture—spoke to Mercedes, got help in ~90 minutes, no extra subscription faff. It’s not wildly different from AA/RAC in outcome, but the hand-off was smooth.
Sound, mic, and connectivity
The audio system punches above its weight—clean, rich, and well-placed speakers. I won’t pretend I can “test” it for you through a camera; I can’t. But you’ll notice the difference.
The in-car microphone is excellent. Callers have actually asked us to turn it down—which you can, right from the settings. Your cabin voice doesn’t need to be a shout.
Connectivity is modern and generous: USB-C everywhere. Yes, it means a cable rethink, but it’s the direction of travel and keeps the GLB feeling current.
The drive: small engine, grown-up feel (with one quirk)
That 1.3-litre turbo will surprise you. Around town, it’s calm. On slip roads, press down and it moves. At speed, the cabin keeps its composure—no droning, no constant gear-hunting.
There is a mild annoyance: at 20–30 mph, the gearbox can hesitate before changing up. It’s like it thinks twice. Floor it and the hesitation vanishes; drive gently and you may notice it linger. Interestingly, this has eased over time—maybe the software adapting, maybe us adapting—but it’s worth mentioning.
The look: serious face, soft edges, and a tiny bit of theatre
Inside, the Sport trim leans serious: tight stitching, turbine vents, dark tones that almost whisper “AMG” without saying it. Outside, the grille has presence and the “exhausts”… are decorative. Plastic shrouds. The illusion of thunder.
Does it matter? Not really. The overall shape mixes confident lines with gentle curves so it reads both “capable” and “approachable.” Dad doesn’t feel sheepish. Mum doesn’t feel bulldozed. The brief—versatile—shows up in the styling.
Favourite quality-of-life bits
Key-linked seating profiles — step in, it adjusts to you.
Mirror dip in reverse — tiny touch, huge stress reducer.
Ambient light that dims properly — night drives, saved.
Mercedes me assistance — one button when you’re flustered.
USB-C abundance — phones, tablets, cameras… all fed.
The gripes (because nothing’s perfect)
Low-speed gear shuffle around 20–30 mph, as noted.
Third row is for kids only on long journeys.
Fake exhausts — a small eye-roll if you care about that stuff.
Verdict: a rare mix of sense and style
The Mercedes GLB 200 Premium Plus (2021) is a family-first SUV that still lets you feel a bit sporty on the right road. It’s spacious without wasting space, clever without being fussy, and modern without the “learning a spaceship” energy some cars demand.
If your checklist reads: city-friendly, road-trip ready, seven seats when needed, and tech that helps rather than distracts, the GLB belongs on your shortlist. It’s one of those cars that quietly becomes part of your routine—school runs, flat-packs, late-night drives—and then, every so often, surprises you with how capable it really is.
Short version: future-proof feel, family credentials, and just enough fun. I’d buy it again.ion on the road, the GLB 200 offers a driving experience that feels premium, supported by technology that secures its place in the future of driving.
Mercedes GLB 200 Premium Plus (2021) Review: The Versatile Family SUV That Thinks It’s Sporty
