So you’re a young mother of two, you are looking for the perfect car. You drive mostly in the city and you also want a high driving position to give you better visibility. You don’t want to drive an SUV or MPV either because you’re fashion conscious or you find them just too long. To top it off, you’ll need something with a large boot for the prams and shopping so a hatch wouldn’t do. Oh, and it has to be safe so the little ones are well protected in case the worst happens.
You may not have thought about it before, but the Mercedes B-Class suits the above requirements to a tee. The height of the B-Class is similar to Nissan’s latest crossover SUV Dualis, so you do get the high driving position with the associated view. However, the B-Class is actually only slightly longer than a Volkswagen Golf at 4.27m while having a wheelbase of nearly 2.8m. That’s 7cm longer than the Golf and it’s actually longer than Mercedes’ own C-Class. So what does this all mean? Well, what the figures translate to is a Golf sized car that rides almost as high as a compact SUV, with leg room rivalling an E-Class. And if you choose the diesel like this B180 CDi, you even get 6.2l/100km economy which is similar to the diesel Golf!
If you are prepared to throw the notion of what a tradition Mercedes should be aside, you will be rewarded with a very versatile car in the B-Class. The boot is huge considering its relatively small exterior dimensions and with the rear seats folded, you’ll be amazed what it would swallow. The interior fit and finish is now back to the standards that Mercedes was once known for. It’s not ostentatious but it does feel like a quality car with none of the nasty cost cutting effects of the late nineties.
New, you would have to pay over $50,000 to get into the B-Class, but now after 3 years, it’s a more reasonable $32,000. It’s still a lot of money for such a ‘small’ car, but for its blend of versatility and manoeuvrable size, the B-Class has no current rival. There is no reason to suspect the B-Class to be anything but reliable as there’re no complicated electronics to fail. Sure you don’t get a sporty drive, but that’s not what the B-Class is about. What Mercedes has done is created a big but small, high but not too high, efficient and competent car that drivers don’t even know they want till they live with one.
Pros: Large interior space where it counts, economical
Cons: Dowdy van like image
Via Carsales
6 responses so far ↓
Mel // October 29, 2009 at 8:53 pm |
Well written, Bo! Didn’t know that B class is longer than C class. David needs to read this!! No rival for this B class. Anyway, any idea which model of Merc did i see which was asking for $21K which looks like a mpv? Thanks!
Bo // October 30, 2009 at 12:09 am |
The B is not longer than the C overall, it’s the wheelbase that’s longer. That means it has more interior space.
Mel // October 31, 2009 at 12:01 am |
Got it! Anyway, i found the model that i was looking for – Merc ML270. Some are advertising $15,500 onwards. Not Merc GL.
bo // October 31, 2009 at 12:24 am |
The ML is a much larger vehicle. It’s a full sized SUV and not very comparable to the B-Class.
Mel // November 4, 2009 at 5:51 pm |
Yep, thanks. I was referring to a Merc series that looks like Lexus RX350. Thanks anyway!
John Westbury // June 29, 2010 at 2:31 pm |
Beware the B180CDI, mine is not 4 years old I took it to 3 Point Mercedes in Fairfield Melbourne for a service only to be told I need a new module in the transmission AUD$5,000. I told them I would get the car wrapped in lemons and leave it parked on a very busy road before I pay that. I mean Mercedes is supposed to be a great German car maybe but they don’t stand by their brand.