If parenthood came with a job description, ‘chauffeur’ would be one of the first items on the list. Every day, kids are ferried to and from school, sporting events and other extracurricular activities – not to mention play dates, birthday parties and dentist appointments. But for parents, these moments in the car can be some of the most cherished. Whether your kids are listening to the radio, chatting about their day or dozing off in the backseat, it’s an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend some quality time.

The vehicle you drive can play a crucial role in how convenient and safe those journeys are. Mercedes-Benz vehicles come with extensive safety structures and systems, providing assurance and peace of mind that parents need. But there are plenty of other in-built features that are designed to make every trip with your kids – whether it’s a school drop-off or a grocery run – easier, comfortable and more enjoyable.

Here are the Mercedes-Benz features every parent will benefit from.

Space and practicality

No matter how small they are, kids require a lot of space – so don’t underestimate the importance of a roomy cabin. From the compact Mercedes-Benz A-Class to the dynamic proportions of the all new Mercedes-Benz GLC, all our vehicles come with spacious passenger seats, sizeable boots and lots of storage.

If your little ones like to invite their friends over after school, the seven-seat Mercedes-Benz GLS and Mercedes-Benz GLB can both accommodate almost an entire basketball team. Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and all-electric EQB both come with an optional third row of seats, allowing you to grow the total headcount from five to seven and keep stepping up in size as your family does the same.

You’ll also discover an array of wide door pockets, cup holders and seat-back pockets in these models, plus plenty of room for prams, change bags, school bags, bikes, surfboards – and all the other gear kids come with – in the boot.

KEYLESS-GO

One of the benefits of models like the GLE is that they come with a handy KEYLESS-GO Comfort package as standard. This enables you to lock and unlock your car, bootlid or tailgate simply by touching the door handle or boot release with the key in your pocket or bag.

It also allows you to start your car at the push of a button (as long as the key is somewhere inside the vehicle). That way, you have one less thing to worry about when you’re heading out the door.

Easy-Pack Tailgate and Hands-Free Access

Loading and unloading gear from your car is a whole lot easier with the Easy-Pack Tailgate function, which enables you to open the boot by pressing a button on your key fob. When you’re finished, pressing or touching a button on the tailgate or bootlid will close it. You can lock the entire vehicle too, if you choose.

Some of our cars, like the GLA and the all new Mercedes-Benz GLC , are also equipped with Hands-Free Access. All you have to do is wave your foot beneath the rear bumper to release the tailgate or bootlid. This clever feature is much appreciated by parents whose arms are frequently laden with sports equipment or groceries. It creates a lot of excitement amongst kids, too!

ISO-FIX securing points

Gone are the days of fiddling with straps to try and safely install baby capsules and child seats. Every current Mercedes-Benz model is fitted with ISO-FIX securing points as standard, which makes installing a child seat in your car a simple plug ’n play exercise.

Ambient lighting

A feature for parents and kids to enjoy. Ambient lighting is available as standard in many Mercedes-Benz models, including the GLA, GLB and GLE – allowing you to jazz up your car’s interior with up to 64 colours. Choose a soothing hue to keep everyone feeling relaxed on a long road-trip, or amp up the atmosphere with a bolder tone and an upbeat soundtrack.

USB connectivity

Teenagers in particular will appreciate having access to multiple USB and/or USB-C connections in the rear seats. Many Mercedes-Benz models, including the all new GLC, are ideal for charging phones and portable devices on the go – without arguments over who gets to go first! On longer trips, they’ll ensure your kids have valuable entertainment options (no more pesky “are we there yets”), so you can all sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.

Five-star ANCAP safety rating

When it comes to your little ones, safety is invaluable. Nothing beats the feeling of security that comes with driving a vehicle you know has been rigorously crash-tested and awarded the highest possible safety score from ANCAP – Australia’s peak testing body.

A key component of the ANCAP safety test is “the level of protection the vehicle offers to child occupants seated in appropriate child restraints in the rear seats”. In 2019, the Mercedes-Benz CLA was the top-performing car assessed by ANCAP, achieving a score of 92% in the child occupant protection category^[1]. Other models including the EQC, A-Class and GLE also scored very highly.

Ample and reliable airbags

Though invisible to the naked eye, airbags are the first line of defence if the worst happens. Vehicles like the all new GLC are equipped with ten airbags, including full-length window airbags and front and rear side airbags. This covers all occupants in outboard seats and provides the maximum possible protection against impact.

Driving Assistance Package

When purchasing a vehicle for your family, this is a box that’s well worth ticking. Our Driving Assistance Packages^[2] bring a collection of critical safety assistances.

The GLE, for example, comes with Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist as standard. You also get Active Distance Assistance DISTRONIC, a cruise control system that adjusts based on the speed of preceding vehicles, plus the PRE-SAFE® PLUS^[3] accident anticipation system that prepares occupants for an imminent collision and minimises its severity.

Privacy glass

Models such as the all-electric EQA and EQB come with the standard privacy glass in the windows behind the B-pillar (the middle of the car). The darker tint makes it difficult for anyone outside to see in, and it also helps kids nap on the drive home – something many parents appreciate after a busy day.

As a bonus, privacy glass offers greater protection from direct sunlight and helps parked vehicles stay cooler for longer, which your kids will be especially grateful for when you’re on your way home from the beach.

Get to know the all new GLC, or explore a selection of our models by booking an appointment at the Mercedes-Benz Digital Showroom today.

By Steve Colquhoun


[1] Testing excludes the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35.
[2] Driver assistance and safety systems/features included in Mercedes-Benz vehicles are driver assistance aids only and the driver at all times remains solely responsible for maintaining proper control of the vehicle.
[3] Subject to availability.