Don’t look past the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and write it off as just another family MPV. It’s looks may be demure on the outside, but the cabin is classy and refined, this AMG Line has added bits and pieces to sport up the interior as well as exterior. Your passengers won’t be fooled by the AMG trim, they will be impressed however, at the soft touch trims and the red leather stitching on the steering wheel and headrests. There is Chrome and Carbon fibre effect across the dash to further draw you into the cabin and secure you from the outside in an extremely comfortable fashion.
And comfort on the daily commute is the number one task this B-Class has in mind. When dealing with energetic little ones can make or break your day, throw in a long or tricky commute and it’s cars like these that can make the difference. It really can’t be emphasised enough the difference your car can make to your daily life. How it handles all that you require of it and takes the burden out of making a journey or completing daily tasks. This is what families are specifically looking for with an MPV and this is what makes the B-Class so good.
It’s based on the platform of the A-Class but has a different character. It’s selling point over the A-Class is that it’s baby brother is the entry into Mercedes ownership for those without big family responsibilities. The B-Class ups the game with space and along with this, price.
The B-Class starts at €32,745 for the Petrol B-180 style which has 136 hp and is €270 to tax. The Petrol line tops out with the B 200 AMG Line with 163 bhp is €270 to tax and costs €41,067.
The Diesel range starts with the B180 A/T Style which starts at €35,300 and is €190 to tax. Diesel tops out with the B220 D A/T AMG Line which is €45,086 and is €190 to tax. Diesel lines are now being sold equally as well as Petrol, which means a slow shift is occurring away from Diesel but not as much as some outlets are reporting. You still see a huge amount of car transporters full of diesels of all makes coming in from the UK.
The engine in the B180 is refined and frugal and less ‘diesely’ than usual. When started from cold, it’s very much a diesel engine but as it warms up, it’s characteristics quieten and it’s not as nose heavy as Diesel lumps tend to be.
Special mention : The sheer ability of this car to make the most tense of drives, turn into the most relaxing.
Needs work : The outside lets it down a little bit, it’s a brilliant car that looks like it’s dull but isn’t. Now, how you create a flash looking box is anyone’s guess but that’s what designers are for.
Specs:
| Max Power 136bhp | Diesel / Auto |
| 0-100 km/h in 11.6s | Road Tax € 270.00 |
| B-Class starts at €32,745 | Boot Space 455 litres/ 1,540 litres |
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RduNRKiI1b4&w=560&h=315]