Mercedes B-Class review

Like the idea of a Mercedes A-Class but need a bit more space for people and luggage? Well, that’s pretty much the reason the Mercedes B-Class exists. It shares its smaller sibling’s stunning interior and feature-packed infotainment system, yet offers appreciably more head and leg room in the back and a much bigger boot.

On paper at least, it all looks pretty convincing. The safety technology it has in common with Mercedes’ flagship S-Class luxury saloon should enhance its appeal with families, while its tall, full-figured body offers better accessibility to the interior than you’d get from a conventional low-riding hatchback – ideal for fitting child seats and loading luggage, in other words.

The B-Class’ engine lineup broadly mirrors that of the A-Class, ranging from the 1.3-litre petrol B180 to the 2.0-litre diesel B220d, and including the choice of plug-in hybrid power in the shape of the B250e. If you need seating for seven, you won’t find it here – we'd suggest you look at the VW Touran or BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer instead. However, assuming five seats will do you just fine, how does the Mercedes B-Class compare against its key MPV rival, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer?

Read on over the next few pages and we’ll tell you everything you need to know before deciding if a Mercedes B-Class is the car for you. Plus we'll also run you through which of the engines and trims make the most sense and which options you might want to consider paying a bit extra for.

And if, after reading our review, you decide you want to buy a Mercedes B-Class (or indeed any other car), there’s a good chance we can help you get a very handsome discount on the brochure price. Just take a look at our New Car Buying service to find out how much you could save.