Mercedes B-Class
Ratings
3 stars
Summary
Average. Practical MPV based on the same mechanical package as the A Class - and let down by the same over-optimistic pricing.
Review
Fitting the B Class into Mercedes' brand hierarchy isn't the easiest of tasks. In terms of price it slots in, as the alphabet would have you suppose, between the A Class and the C Class. Yet in terms of space it offers more interior room than pretty much anything else in the range with the exception of the R Class and GL Class.
In the wider world the B Class should really compete against mid-sized people carriers like the Vauxhall Zafira and Renault Scenic, but unfortunately Mercedes' over-optimistic prices means that it looks very expensive compared to its direct rivals.
The design is taller and better filled out than the A Class, but lots of the same styling details are shared across the two cars. The cabin is impressively spacious and airy, and although it only has five seats there's plenty of room to fill them all with adults in decent comfort - and the boot is impressive large too.
On the road the B Class performs like a slightly bigger and heavier A Class, sharing its supermini sister's vague steering and limited enthusiasm for corners, but making up to an extent with impressive high-speed refinement and stability. That said, the ride quality can get poor over rougher urban roads, especially wearing the larger optional allow wheels.
Power comes from most of the same range of engines that do duty in the A Class, although the entry-point B150 feels over-exerted when asked to propel anything other than small loads, and the range-topping B200 Turbo should win an award for its utter pointlessness. The B180 CDI turbodiesel is probably the pick of the range, but it's wince-inducingly expensive.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
3 star
A slightly over-inflated A Class, and not different enough to avoid being confused with its smaller counterpart.
Handling
2 star
Like the A Class, the B isn't much cop when the going gets twisty - numb steering and over-enthusiastic stability control are the main culprits.
Comfort
4 star
The cabin of the B Class is a great place to spend time - spacious, well finished and a cut above mainstream rivals. Ride quality is sometimes poor, though.
Quality & Reliability
4 star
The cabin feels very upmarket compared to more utilitarian rivals - although some of the pale-coloured optional trim wouldn't really be up to the abuse dished out by a young family.
Performance
3 star
The entry point B150 lacks urge and even the next in line B170 will have to be worked hard to make decent progress. Diesels are good, but punishingly expensive.
Roominess
4 star
The spacious, airy cabin has masses of room - you'd need to opt for an R Class to get a Merc with a larger interior. Not as versatile as some MPV rivals, though - and it only has five seats.
Running Costs
3 star
Residual values are slightly better than those of the A Class, but they're still not brilliant, and servicing will be expensive too.
Value for money
2 star
Very expensive compared to mainstream rivals - the B Class only makes financial sense if you put a high value on driving a car wearing the Mercedes badge.
