For The engine is smooth and flexible, and keeps purchase prices and running costs reasonable. Sport trim adds desirable features such as man-made leather upholstery and a reversing camera.
Against Some might want more performance from their B-Class, especially in Sport guise. The entry-level diesel gives far better economy, and doesn’t cost much more to buy.
The best of the petrol-powered B-Class models, it provides a good mix of flexible performance and affordable costs. We’d save ourselves some cash and go for SE trim, though.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class buyers have four engines to choose from; two turbocharged 1.6-litre petrols and two 1.8-litre turbodiesels.
Whether you go for petrol or diesel, we’d recommend the entry-level engine. They’re slower than their brawnier counterparts, but they’re fast enough, no less flexible and much cheaper to buy and run. The entry-level diesel has a distinct edge over the more powerful diesel for refinement, too. In fact, the lower-powered diesel is our favourite engine of the bunch.
SE trim is the one to pick out of the two available. It provides alloys, air-con, four electric windows, a CD player with USB port and a system that helps steer your car into a parking space.
Sport models add kit such as man-made leather upholstery, xenon headlamps and a reversing camera. However, Sport trim costs a lot more than SE and the ride is even more unforgiving than the standard car’s.