Mercedes B-Class review - Interior, design and technology

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while it would be a stretch to call this generation of the B-Class ‘beautiful’, it’s certainly more attractive than the previous two iterations. Gone is the frumpy, very MPV-like exterior, replaced by something more cohesive and, dare we say it, sporty.

That’s no surprise, given the fact that the designers were told to make the B-Class stand out from the minivans of the world. The result is a car that’s lower than before, graced with shorter overhangs and a face that’s 100 per cent A-Class. 

As part of its mid-life update in 2023, the B-Class received a subtle exterior facelift that included the addition of adaptive LED headlights on all models. Predictably, the B-Class looks at its best in AMG Line trim, thanks to a host of cosmetic trimmings, 18-inch alloy wheels and a distinctive chrome grille.

The big changes for the facelifted B-Class were reserved for the interior, however, where recycled materials are now incorporated into the cabin’s construction. But the B-Class is a premium product, so there’s still plenty of soft-touch materials and Merc’s upmarket metal switchgear. There are some harder plastics used for the lower door trims, but overall the B-Class’s cabin is a pleasant place to spend time.

We also like that the B-Class retains its bank of air-con controls below the trio of central air vents. There is a climate screen within the central display, but it’s nice to have a set of physical shortcut switches on dash for quick and easy adjustments when you’re on the move.

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There are four trim levels to choose from: Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus, as well as 10 exterior paint colours and a host of accessories. Alloy wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches, with entry-level models also featuring 64-colour ambient lighting, heated front seats, keyless go, wireless charging pad, a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch instrument panel.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The B-Class uses the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system and in our opinion it’s still one of the best systems on the market, but if you prefer to use your favourite smartphone apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity comes as standard. 

The B-Class also comes with dual 10.25-inch displays, which offer crystal-clear, high-resolution graphics and plenty of functionality. The MBUX system can be controlled by tapping the central touchscreen or via the buttons on the steering wheel, but perhaps more impressive is the voice control. It uses the “Hey Mercedes” command, in much the same way you might use Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa personal assistants.

The majority of the infotainment functions can be accessed using voice control, including the sat-nav, phone calls or choice of music. You can even use indirect commands, such as “I feel cold” to adjust the heating. Over time, MBUX will adjust to your personal habits, such as your route to work and your favourite radio station.