The Mercedes B-Class is a rare thing in this day and age, a five-seat MPV that’s based on a car and not a van. To be exact, that car is a Mercedes A-Class so this family hauler should make running the kids to nursery a more premium experience. An update in 2023 trimmed down the engine range to a single petrol and one lonely diesel, although there’s still a broad selection of trims. Even entry-level Sport gets an electric tailgate, LED lights front and rear, single-zone climate control, heated front seats and a reversing camera. AMG Line Executive largely brings more aggressive styling inside and out but does add 40/20/40 split folding rear seats. The B-Class’s biggest rival is the 1 Series-based BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, another small but posh MPV that also comes with a sliding rear bench to improve bootspace or legroom. It also gets the option of plug-in hybrid and higher performing petrol engines. Audi and the other premium brands don’t offer anything comparable, but you could always consider the Volkswagen Touran which scores for being a seven-seater. Other than that, you’re basically looking at van-based stuff like the Ford Tourneo Connect and Citroen Berlingo. AMG Line Premium is worth considering if you must have the looks, giving you two-zone climate control, blind spot assist and an upgraded stereo. As for AMG Line Premium Plus, it gets all the bells and whistles including electrically adjustable front seats with memory, a head-up display, 360 degree camera system, adaptive headlights, an opening panoramic roof and 19-inch wheels. In this comprehensive review, we’ll let you know how practical the B-Class is and just how plush it feels inside. We’ll also cover the driving experience including comfort, handling and efficiency, plus other burdens on you bank balance. By the time you click through to the verdict, you’ll know if the B-Class is any good and if there’s something else you should look at instead. The upgrade in technology means that the B-Class is the equal of the A-Class from behind the wheel, but it offers a more practical overall package. However, it still lacks the kerbside appeal of its premium-hatch cousin, let alone Merc’s own GLA and GLB SUVs, which are just as versatile. So the B-Class is likely to remain a niche choice until production finally comes to an end. The clock is ticking on the Mercedes B-Class, with the company confirming that its premium five-seat MPV won’t be replaced once production of the current generation ends. However, that hasn’t prevented Mercedes from boosting the car’s appeal with this mid-life update. Much like the updated A-Class, the B-Class benefits from a subtle exterior facelift that now includes adaptive LED headlights on all versions, but the big changes are reserved for the interior. Recycled materials have been incorporated into the cabin’s construction, but you’d be hard pressed to tell where they’ve been used, because the B-Class remains a premium product that features plenty of soft-touch materials and Merc’s upmarket metal switchgear. There are hard plastics for the lower door trims, but overall this is a pleasant place to spend time. In fact, if you’ve spent time at the wheel of an A-Class, then the B-Class will be very familiar, because the layout is all but identical. The only real clue that you’re driving the MPV is the taller roofline and bigger glass area. The round of updates mean that the B-Class also benefits from the latest twin 10.25-inch displays, which offer crystal-clear, high-resolution graphics and plenty of functionality. While most of these are reserved for the central touchscreen, the B-Class retains its bank of air-con controls below the trio of central air vents. There is a climate screen within the display itself, but it’s nice to have a set of shortcut switches that let you make adjustments on the fly quickly and easily. These rocker switches and buttons have the upmarket feel that we’ve become familiar with from Mercedes’s products, too. More reviewsOne area where the B-Class remains largely unchanged is in its practicality. The five-seat cabin is spacious, and despite the overly dark cabin materials – including a black roof lining – it still feels roomy inside. However, if you choose the petrol model, there’s less boot space than in the diesel version. That’s because the petrol engine now comes with mild-hybrid assistance, and the system’s location in the boot cuts 25 litres from its carrying capacity. With 420 litres on offer, overall space isn’t huge, but there’s a level load lip, the back seats fold almost flat and a powered tailgate comes as standard on all models. There aren’t as many engine choices in the B-Class as there are in the A-Class, with only two options available. A 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel is used in the B 220 d, while the model driven here, the B 200 petrol, features a 1.3-litre turbocharged unit making 161bhp and 270Nm of torque. There’s an extra 13bhp on offer courtesy of that mild-hybrid system, and in operation this electrical assistance fills in the power band when accelerating, so there’s a pretty consistent response even from low revs. Need to sell your car? Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy. The seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox offers smooth shifts – helped, of course, by the hybrid tech – while there’s plenty of power on tap from the petrol engine. It can get a little raucous at higher revs, but that’s only likely to be an issue when having to accelerate to motorway speeds with a full complement of passengers on board. Of more concern is the B-Class’s unsettled ride. While AMG Line trim introduces a sportier look to this MPV, it also adds a stiffer suspension set-up, which seems to be at odds with this car’s practical leanings. Softer settings would be rather more welcome in a car that otherwise prioritises comfort over anything else. With the latest safety kit on board, the B-Class offers excellent security. All cars feature two sets of Isofix child-seat mounts in the back, while the on-board systems can recognise if a seat has been fitted, so as to optimise the safety systems. There are seven airbags, including a driver’s knee bag, although only the higher-spec AMG Line Premium and Premium Plus models feature blind-spot detection. As with the A-Class, the B-Class is offered in Sport and AMG Line trims, but in this instance we think that the lower-spec Sport model is likely to be a better option. Yes, you miss out on some luxuries such as the part-microfibre/part man-made leather sports seats and three-way split-folding rear bench, but the smaller 17-inch wheels will boost ride comfort. There’s also a saving of £2,300 on the list price, although stronger residuals for the AMG Line models will likely close the gap significantly when buying on finance. Model: Mercedes B 200 AMG Line Executive Price: £37,425 Engine: 1.3-litre 4cyl mild-hybrid Power/torque: 161bhp/270Nm Transmission: Seven-speed twin-clutch auto, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds Top speed: 139mph Economy: 46.3mpg CO2: 140g/km On sale: Now  Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products. 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You do, however, need a very chunky deposit. 17 Nov 2023 New Renault 5: price and Geneva Motor Show reveal plans confirmed News New Renault 5: price and Geneva Motor Show reveal plans confirmed Renault’s top boss has confirmed the reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK 15 Nov 2023 'Once-dominant Ford and Vauxhall could become also-rans in the future' Opinion 'Once-dominant Ford and Vauxhall could become also-rans in the future' Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks Ford and Vauxhall need to get their pricing right in the EV era if they are to remain popular with customers Is it worth buying a Mercedes BThere's a lot to like about the Mercedes B-Class, from its sharp looks and high-quality interior, to the big boot and excellent infotainment system. It also offers more cabin space than the closely related A-Class hatchback, particularly for rear-seat passengers. Is MercedesYou may pay more in the first place, but recoup your cash when it comes time to trade in your 'serviced by Mercedes' car. A correctly driven and maintained Mercedes B-Class is unlikely to have any faults, but it's still best to have one inspected by a senior engineer at your motoring club. Is Mercedes discontinuing the BHandelsblatt also reports that the closely related Mercedes-Benz B-Class MPV will cease production in 2025. The decision to axe the A- and B-Class comes as Mercedes-Benz looks to increase its number of pure-electric models, while ramping up the number of higher-profit luxury models in its portfolio. Are Mercedes BMercedes-Benz servicing can be expensive, particularly if you use main dealers – but independent specialists are usually much cheaper. The diesel SE models also benefit from low tax and fuel costs, thanks to a claimed economy of 64.2mpg and emissions of 115g/km of CO2. |
