The compact SUV is priced from $78,900 to $104,900 and available in three engine variants.

Mercedes-Benz was smart when they decided to have its first-ever GLB compact crossover as a seven-seater only, rather than a five seats with the option of two more.

The GLB sits between the GLA and GLC SUVs from Mercedes with pricing starting from $78,900 to $104,900.

The seven-seater comes in three variants: the GLB 200 ($78,900), the GLB 250 4MATIC ($92,900) while the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4 MATIC will be priced at $104,900 when it arrives in New Zealand later this year.

So why was Mercedes-Benz smart at producing in the seven-seater only? Because now for example, Kiwis buyers could get a seven-seater without having to spend over $133,000 for a Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Sure, there are competitors in the seven-seater SUV market in New Zealand along the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe (for a similar price as the GLB), or you could go cheaper with Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen’s Tiguan Allspace.

But buyers love the three-pointed star badging, and gives them more bragging rights when offering a play date with your kids’ friends.

Already widely praised in Europe, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is has clever packaging that allows for three rows of seating within the dimensions of a compact SUV, all packaged together with a compelling suite of technology, safety and comfort inclusions plus a choice of engine and equipment specifications. 

At 2829 millimetres, the GLB has a wheelbase that is 100mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, yet front row headroom is best-in-class at 1035mm and effective legroom for second row passengers is especially comfortable at 967mm. 

Meanwhile, a loading space that expands from 560 litres (second row in place) to 1755 litres (second and third rows stowed) offers wagon-like carrying capacity.

The GLB is the first compact vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to offer a third row, with two additional individual seats offering a comfortable position for passengers up to 1.68 metres tall. 

These seats are also fitted with extensive safety equipment including retractable head restraints, seat belts with belt tensioners, a side window airbag, plus ISOFIX and TOP-Tether anchorages for suitable child seats. A total of four ISOFIX points are offered in the rear two rows. 

Passengers in the third row are also served by two drinks holders between the seats, as well as two outboard stowage compartments, each fitted with a USB port. When lowered, the two seats stow flush with the load compartment floor to maximise cargo capacity. 

The GLB 200 is powered by a 1.3-litre, direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sending 120kW and 250Nm via a 7G-DCT seven-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. 

The GLB 250 4MATIC utilises a powerful 2-litre, directed-injected and turbocharged petrol engine with an output of 165kW and 350Nm via an 8G-DCT eight-speed auto, sending power where it’s needed via the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The gearbox is an adapted version of the one found in the Mercedes-AMG A35.

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC is powered by an AMG-tuned 2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine outputting 225kW and 400Nm in conjunction with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT eight-speed auto (with AMG Dynamic Select) via 4MATIC all-wheel-drive. 

We tested the GLB 250 4Matic that was priced up to $99,560 due to such extras as the Galaxy blue metallic paint, an AMG sports package, driving assistance packages (semi autonomous driving system) and a visual package (head up display).

With that price, you’re nudging close to the price of a GLE seven seater – but if size matters and you don’t want a large SUV that the GLB could be the sweet spot for you.

To give it an urban appeal, Mercedes has created a more funky look compared with the classic GLE. It has a two-box style design with the rear wheels sitting far back and the front grille creating a more inlaid look for the three-pointed star.

Inside, the dashboard is pretty much the same one you get in the A-Class, etc with twin screens, the MBUX infotainment system and “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant. 

The front of the GLB is a great place to be, while the second can accommodate three kids easily. The middle row is split 60:40 on rails allowing you to adjust for legroom or access to child seats on the two outer ISOFIX mounting points. 

The third row is more for under 10-year-olds for quick trips, rather than permanently seating two kids.

Driving the GLB smoothly is easy thanks to progressive, consistently weighted steering and pedals means a relaxed driving style.  

Around the city, the GLB is in its element. Small enough to fit into all parking spaces, stylish looking so you stand out and with enough and with enough power on demand that you can hoon off from the lights on motorway onramps.

On the motorway, you can dial in Sport mode, and the GLB comes to life, especially the 2-litre model we tested. 

The steering is nicely weighted and ride and body control is impressive for a tall SUV, even on the winding roads out to Parihoa.

As it is an all-wheel drive, the GLB250 has an off-road mode, which alters gearing and traction settings to help deal with irregular surfaces. We used it when taking the GLB away from Parihoa’s woolshed for some photo and up to the paddocks where there are no tracks and instead you’ve driving on grass. It was all effortless.

Though the only driving on grass most GLB owner’s would be doing is parking up on verges by football fields on a Saturday morning.

But that's the point of the GLB, it’s a family car.