Rating
Quick Summary
Average.
A small MPV with a touch of class and some clever safety features, but uninspiring engines mean our Mercedes B Class review is only average.
Road Test
Luxury was something rarely associated with small MPVs. Usually the duty of taxiing children and their stuff around falls to the more 'homely' marques of Renault, Ford and Vauxhall. However, Mercedes-Benz's first B-Class added a touch of grandeur to the sector.
As we found in our Mercedes B Class review, the new version continues the firm's designs on making the act of ferrying a family around an experience to enjoy rather than endure. Occupants get to enjoy a well laid out, beautifully made cockpit. Everything gives a light, airy environment for passengers and driver alike. Every lever and stalk feels solid enough that you know it will last far longer than you'll keep the car.
A particular interior highlight is the air vents; admittedly they're a small detail in the grand scheme of things but they do give the impression of class-leading quality.
Infotainment comes from a screen mounted to the dashboard. It pairs up with the Mercedes Command system rather well and is intuitive to use. But the satellite navigation was a little tricky on the oft-confusing Austrian roads, where we carried out our Mercedes B Class road test. The unit itself looks like a tablet PC has been stuck to the dashboard, which may encourage thieves and looks like an afterthought.
Safety is a key feature in the B Class. There is the standard smattering of airbags, but the outstanding features are the blind spot recognition system which works rather well - although it does 'detect' parked cars on narrow roads and activates when you're stuck in traffic and perfectly aware of what's around you – and a system called Pre-Safe, which gives a visible and aural warning if it thinks you're about to hit the car in front. While smart, it also activates when stationary and begins wailing when the inevitable cyclist/scooter rider cuts in front of you in traffic.
The engines on offer aren't going to excite the majority of drivers - they offer average pace in exchange for sterling fuel economy. While that's enough for some, it means hilly routes and overtaking can require planning. That said, the 180 CDI offers incredible refinement on the motorway, while the 200CDI suffers from a touch of diesel rumble. Both petrol engines are quiet, but the 200 offers more useable pace at the cost of MPG.
However, whichever engine you go for make sure you pick the brilliant manual option - the change feels far better than you get with cheaper alternatives. The seven-speed automatic should be avoided as it's far too slow and clunky.
Steering is another B-Class success - it's brilliantly weighted and offers great feedback on the move.
Economy is the B-Class' party piece, thanks to some aero tweaks it has a drag coefficient of 0.26.
Next: ratings and breakdown
