Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Overview

Sitting above the A-Class in the lineup, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is the larger of the only two hatchbacks Mercedes-Benz offers in its lineup. This flagship hatchback from Mercedes-Benz is targeted towards large families with its large profile and got visually much better in its current second-generation avatar. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class can be had in either a petrol automatic or a diesel automatic powertrain.

Interior & Features

It is on the inside of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class where things get even more interesting and changes are more substantial. The new B-Class shares its dashboard layout with all new generation Mercedes-Benz offerings which certainly looks much more futuristic and luxurious.

The three-spoke round themed steering wheel with silver accents and the large 12.3-inch rectangular LCD panel for instrument console as well as infotainment system behind it looks great in the B-Class as well. The crisp and high-quality display of the screen makes things even more desirable.

The turbine-like three AC vents below the screen in the centre console as well as on far corners of the dashboard make the cabin much more interesting. Apart from these details, the dashboard has a minimalist approach to it, which makes things very classy to look at.

Armed with all the modern features which one would expect from a premium luxury offering, the Mercedes Benz B-Class succeeds in fulfilling that one aspect which the other Mercedes hatchback, the A-Class, simply couldn’t, and that is the sense of space on the inside. The van-like profile plays its good role here by liberating a large amount of room at the rear, which is comfortable in seating five people with ease.

Exterior

While the previous generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class was not a great looker, this new current generation model certainly has turned the tables in favor of itself. The new design looks much sleeker and curvier and is closer to the design language of the A-Class. However, its van-like profile might not be to everyone’s taste.

The front profile of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class now looks much more like the A-Class with sleeker and rounded full-LED headlamps and the new curvier hexagonal front grille. The profile now sits a bit lower than before, giving it a much sleeker appearance.

On the sides, Mercedes-Benz has made the design much curvier than before, with the rounded profile giving it more acceptance than before. There is a sleek character line flowing just below the waistline, while the large side glasses make it look bigger and more van-like.

At the rear too, Mercedes Benz has done a terrific job in making the B-Class look very much sleek, with a new set of rounded full LED tail lamps and a slightly more raked windscreen.

Ride & Handling

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class offers the best of both the worlds – while it has a certain stiffness to its suspension like in the A-Class which adds a touch of sportiness to its driving dynamics, there is plushness in an equal amount too, which makes the ride quality quite comfortable, given its family-oriented appeal. With the great sense of space at both front and rear, the inner occupants don’t feel cramped or stuck in.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class in the Philippines is being offered in a choice of two four-cylinder engines – one petrol and one diesel. While the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 165 PS and is coupled to a 7-speed DCT gearbox, the 2.0-litre diesel engine makes out 152 PS and is mated to an 8-speed DCT gearbox.

Braking & Safety

The B-Class is a Mercedes-Benz offering of a higher order, and so, it has got a list of premium safety features consisting of ABS, active lane-keeping assist, front, side, knee, and curtain airbags, attention assist, brake assist, hill hold assist, hill start assist, electronic stability program with acceleration skid control, curve dynamic assist, speed limit assist, traffic sign assist and tire pressure monitoring system.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class might not be as dynamic or sporty looking like the A-Class, but then, the revamped styling in and out, definitely make things much better in terms of visual appeal as well as overall feel. Being a Mercedes-Benz product, uncompromising luxury is one of its forte, which coupling with a practical cabin, makes it a perfect hatchback for a nuclear family.