Mercedes B-Class MPV - Interior & comfort

Not only does the B-Class MPV feel similar to drive to the A-Class, its dashboard looks almost identical. Although there are structural differences, the overall style of the two cars' interiors is virtually the same. For its 2023 refresh, the amount of recycled materials used in the car’s cabin increased, but that’s not something you can really tell just from looking around – it feels as premium as ever.

Mercedes B-Class dashboard

The B-Class shares its design theme with the A-Class, which means it features the same eye-catching details – notably its stylish air vents that are designed to resemble jet engines. Its dashboard does have a slightly different fom, however, with areas cut out to provide occupants with more space to complement the more upright seating position of the B-Class.

Instrumentation and infotainment look contemporary thanks to a free-standing dash-top display unit that incorporates two separate digital displays; one for driving information and the other to handle media and navigation duties. Both of these measure 10.25-inches and boast pin-sharp graphics and plenty of features. A head-up display is also fitted to the top trim level, providing information which appears to hover ahead of the windscreen.

Equipment

A welcome B-Class feature is the MBUX infotainment system that was first used in the A-Class – it’s better than the multimedia systems offered by rival brands. Although features will vary depending on how many boxes you tick when placing your B-Class order, MBUX can provide navigation guidance that uses real-time information gathered from other Mercedes cars via a 'car-to-X' communications network, as well as a vehicle location system to help find your car in a crowded car park.

Mercedes has also taken a leaf out of the book of Google and Amazon, with its own command-responsive 'intelligent voice control' system that you activate by saying "Hey Mercedes". There's also a feature to notify you if your car is bumped into when parked, or towed away.

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Sport Executive and AMG Line Executive levels make up the main body of the range. The former comes with exterior LED lighting, keyless start, heated front seats and sat nav. Other desirable features include parking sensors, a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

AMG Line Executive models gain bigger wheels and other eye-catching exterior features like a bodykit and different grille. Inside, there’s a sports steering wheel and seats trimmed in Artico man-made leather.

AMG Line Premium brings augmented reality navigation, an upgraded sound system and dual-zone climate control. At the top of the range, AMG Line Premium Plus includes adaptive headlights, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera view and a panoramic sunroof.

The latest B-Class offers more driver assistance features than the previous model, with active cruise control and lane keeping assist joining forces to help you stay in lane on the motorway. There's also active lane-changing to help you overtake safely. Mercedes claims that the system can anticipate traffic movement up to 500 metres ahead.

Options

There aren’t many options to pick for your B-Class, aside from paint colour and upholstery choices, along with dealer-fit accessories like boot liners, child seats and bike racks. While Mercedes used to offer a myriad of add-ons, nowadays most kit is instead rolled in with the trim levels that are on offer.