New Mercedes B-Class review
Author: David Miles
Published: 28 May 2008
Look on the B-Class as being the big brother of the A-Class five-door. It lingers in the domain between a C-segment five-door estate and a C-segment MPV. It has more seating space and certainly more luggage room than an estate but it does not have the clever alternative seating positions of an MPV such as the Vauxhall Zafira.
Yes all the rear three seats foldaway to create an even larger luggage space and that is probably enough for most families with children or older couples with grand children. Again the right badge is the thing with the B-Class having more appeal than estates based on the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra or VW Golf. Not being a true MPV also means it also doesn’t shout ‘functional family transport’ at you.
With the new model line up in the UK the SE specification is by far and away the most sensible and will appeal to the vast majority of drivers even though the prices are the same for SE and Sport specification options.
The B180 CDI diesel will marginally be the best selling engine even though nearly 70 per cent of customers will be private buyers but these will include business owners. The most popular B180 engine shows up to a seven per cent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The restyling, similar to the A-Class, has sharpened up and refreshed the car’s exterior and there are the same savings for fuel economy and reduced CO2 levels. The front wheel drive B-Class generally handles well enough for most people where ride comfort is the priority.
It rolls a little during cornering and rough surfaces can upset the vehicle’s stability, small issues if you want to own a family-sized Mercedes-Benz.
The high-up seating position gives good visibility in all directions and with an overall length of 4,273mm it can easily be parked. The height of 1,604mm means it fits easily into normal house garages and multi-story car parks.
MILESTONES
Mercedes Benz B180 CDI SE
Price: £20,850
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel, 109hp, 250Nm of torque from 1,600rpm
Performance: 114mph, 0-62mph 11.3 seconds, 50mpg (40mpg actual), CO2 137g/km, VED Band C £120
Insurance group: 8 tbc
Boot capacity: 544-2,245-litres
For: Refinement, huge load space, flexible seating, impressive build quality, executive looks
Against: Indifferent handling, lack-lustre steering response
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