Mercedes B-Class

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £19,982 to £23,559
• For : High-quality interior, versatile seating arrangement, efficient engines
• Against : Firm suspension on Sport models, expensive options, bland styling

Styling

Lower and wider than its predecessor, the new B-Class has a sportier stance, although its overall proportions are much the same. The front is dominated by a huge three-pointed star which is set within a two-bar grille, and a pair of LED running lights in the front bumper. A bold upturned crease along the side of the car is the most recognisable aspect of the uncluttered styling. Go for a Sport model and you get 18-inch wheels and suspension lowered by an extra 15mm.

Interior

Inside, SLS-inspired metal air vents and a tablet computer style central screen are the dominating features in an attractive cabin.

Driving and Performance

A new four-link rear suspension set up and a lower centre of gravity ensure that the New B-Class is both more comfortable and dynamic than the outgoing model. It is the first model to be based on Mercedes’ new front-wheel-drive platform. There’s very little body roll in the bends and the electrically assisted steering is quick and accurate. The suspension is supple too, unless you order the Sport model which can become uncomfortable over broken surfaces because of its bigger wheels, run-flat tyres and lowered springs. The new turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, with either 120bhp or 154bhp is smooth and fast, but can feel sluggish at low revs. We’d go for the diesel models, featuring a new 1.8-litre engine with either 107bhp or 134bhp, which offers more torque, better throttle response and is refined enough. The new seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox shifts quickly and seamlessly, too.

MPG and running costs

Stop-start is standard across the range, which means the most-efficient model, the B180 CDI, has fuel economy of 64.0mpg and CO2 emissions of 115g/km making it free from road tax in the first year and £30 thereafter. That’s also lower than any C-MAX can manage and on a par with the VW Golf Plus Bluemotion. Even the most powerful petrol model, the 154bhp B200, returns 45.6mpg and emits just 144g/km of CO2. As with all premium models though, expect to pay above average for parts and servicing.

Practicality

Order the £600 Easy Vario Package and the 60/40 split rear bench can slide forwards and backwards by 140mm – increasing boot space from 486-litre to 666-litres. The rear seats also fold flat and an adjustable height boot floor can be raised to create a flat loading area. If you need even more room the front passenger seats also folds forward. Also included in the package is a rear centre folding arm rest with cupholders and a magnetic flap for loading long objects, such as skis, along the length of the car.

Safety and reliability

Collision Prevention Assist – a system that warns the driver they’re fast approaching a car in front and pre-loads the brakes automatically – is standard on all models. Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, which steers you back into your lane automatically, are also available as options. Although technology like the engines and the automatic gearbox are new, they are derived from existing, proven technology. For example the 1.8-litre diesel engine is a modified version of the 2.1-litre diesel engine that’s already used in the C-Class and E-Class.