Skip advert
Advertisement

New Mercedes B 200 d 2019 review

The new Mercedes B-Class offers A-Class levels of style in a more practical package, but does it live up to its potential?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes B-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It’s a stretch to consider the Mercedes B-Class a full MPV, but if an A-Class isn’t quite roomy enough for your needs then it’s is worthy of consideration. It gets the same gorgeous tech-laden dashboard and it feels much the same to drive - including the hatchback’s slightly brittle ride. Compared to conventional MPV rivals, however, the B-Class is pricey and not as spacious.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This is the new Mercedes B-Class. Like its predecessor, it aims to offer buyers a more practical approach to three-pointed star ownership without going for a full size SUV or, Mercedes hopes, without cramping the style.

We were impressed but not blown away by the third generation model on its launch. Now it’s available to drive in the UK, and prices have been confirmed: at £30,825, this B 200 d in AMG Line trim costs £1,680 more than an equivalent A-Class.

• Best MPVs on sale right now

With no other As before, the latest versions of the A and B-Class share plenty of mechanicals. The B grows 120mm longer and 129mm taller than its more conventional hatchback cousin, and while it’s over-inflated look might not be so easy on the eye, the extra space inside is what really counts.

Sit in the back and the difference between the two is obvious. There’s 33mm more rear headroom than in the A-Class, but it’s the extra legroom - and foot room beneath the front seats - which make the biggest difference. It’s a perfectly comfortable place for two adults.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

B Class

2021 Mercedes

B Class

18,190 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £16,199
View B Class
B Class

2021 Mercedes

B Class

15,855 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £20,648
View B Class
B Class

2023 Mercedes

B Class

57,256 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £14,600
View B Class
B Class

2021 Mercedes

B Class

24,721 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £17,883
View B Class

There are similar improvements to boot capacity, too. The 455 litres on offer is easily accessible thanks to a wide, square opening. Fold the back seats flat and the space expands to 1,530 litres. That’s 371 litres more than the A-Class, or a greater volume than the A-Class offers up when all its seats are in place.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Elsewhere inside, the pair look largely similar. The B-Class driving position is seated roughly 10cm higher than in the A-Class, which gives a slightly better view of the road ahead, but the same stunning dashboard design remains. Mercedes’s new MBUX infotainment system places two digital displays ahead of the driver, both of which offer sharp graphics and clear menu layouts.

To get the biggest screens, you’ll need to pay even more though: the 10.25-inch instrument cluster in this car comes as part of a £2,259 package, which also adds customisable ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, keyless entry and an uprated sound system.

• New Mercedes B 200 review

So it’s more practical and just as posh feeling as its hatchback relation, but the increase in size has done little to compromise the drive. Unless you drove the two back-to-back, and concentrated really hard, you wouldn’t notice a difference between the way the pair behave. There’s little in the way of roll in the corners, and while it never feels really exciting, it’s stable and has plenty of grip.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The steering is extremely light around town so it’s easy to park, and while it weights up a little as the speed increases, there’s little in the way of feedback to communicate what’s going on at the front wheels.

The one downside to that body control is that the ride can feel quite bouncy, particularly around town where it can crash from one bump to the next. Admittedly, there is a marginally softer setup available if you don’t go for the AMG Line trim, but considering this is a car that’s designed with rear seat passengers in mind, a slightly more relaxed setup would've made sense. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer feels a bit more resolved on road and from behind the wheel, but it doesn’t boast the luxuries of the Merc’s cabin.

There’s not much to fault with motorway refinement: road noise, though not intrusive, is the most audible sound, because wind noise is extremely well suppressed, and the engine is barely stressed. 

In this case, that engine is a 2.0-litre diesel unit with 148bhp. A sharp throttle response and a slick eight-speed automatic gearbox really feels quite lively - every bit as quick as the 8.3-second 0-62mph time suggests. It doesn't make too much fisss getting there either: while the new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrols can sound a little thrashy towards the red line, the diesel returns near-identical performance figures with much less fuss.

At 51.4mpg, it’s over 10mpg more fuel efficient than the similarly performing B 200 petrol. It’ll be slightly cheaper to tax for company car drivers too, sitting two groups lower in the Benefit In Kind ratings.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

New & used car deals

Mercedes B Class

Mercedes B Class

RRP £35,965Used from £13,995
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025