Mercedes-Benz B-Class Review (2019-present)
Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Roomy and practical cabin
Tax-efficient plug-in hybrid
Comfortable ride
Cons
There are cheaper MPVs with even more space, if you can live with a humble badge
Not very exciting to drive
Plain-looking exterior
The CarGurus verdict
The B-Class may not attract as much attention as a small SUV like the Mercedes GLB, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you are looking for an upmarket, practical family car, but prefer understatement to ostentation, then the B-Class is for you.
New or used, you can buy roomier MPVs with an extra row of seats for less money. We're thinking of cars like the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso/Space Tourer and Ford S-Max. But these cars don't have the cachet of the Merc badge, or the interior finish of the B-Class.
To drive, the B-Class is all about comfort, so we'd resist the temptation to pick one of the more expensive models with larger alloy wheels. Sport Executive spec has all you need and more, so there's really no need to dig deeper into your pockets. Likewise, the basic engines are just fine, although the now-defunct plug-in hybrid is the most impressive B-Class of all, with a long electric-only range and low emissions compared with many PHEV rivals.
What is the Mercedes-Benz B-Class?
Mercedes opened order books for the third-generation B-Class – Mercedes’ five-seat MPV – in late 2018. The new B-Class launched to mostly positive car reviews, with star-billing shared between a host of high-tech driver aids, the spectacular MBUX infotainment system, and diesel engines that met the RDE2 emissions standard. This was great news for anyone considering the Mercedes B-Class as a company car, as RDE2-compliant diesels didn't attract the 4% benefit-in-kind tax surcharge, although those tax rules have changed a lot since then.
MPVs of this size - or any size, for that matter - are a rare breed these days, because in recent years, family car buyer have flocked towards SUVs instead. Its most direct rival is the latest BMW Active Tourer.
How practical is it?
The B-Class's styling shows some family resemblance to the A-Class, but the B-Class is considerably longer and wider. That shows inside, where there's a lot more rear-seat legroom and headroom than in the A-Class. Even for very tall passengers, this is a very roomy car.
Boot space is respectable, with a luggage capacity of 455 litres for the non-hybrid models. That's broadly on a par with the 468 litres of boot space in the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. However, the B-Class does have a trump cars, and that's rear seats that slide forwards to free up more boot space, and if you slide them all the way to the front of their runners, you get a whopping 705 litres of luggage room. The rear-bench splits and folds 40/20/40 if more space for bags is needed.
In the front, the cabin is dominated by the MBUX infotainment system, with its pin-sharp twin-screen displays. There are lots of soft-touch materials, and a real sense of occasion to the interior design, so this is certainly one of the poshest-feeling cars of its type. Some of the plastics on the lower doors aren't quite so plush, but they're not low-rent enough to spoil the overall ambience.
What’s it like to drive?
From the driver's seat, the B-Class is more about comfort than an exciting drive, although the most powerful versions are very quick cars. The ride is smooth, absorbing bumps of all shapes and sizes in a fuss-free manner for relaxing progress, and the cabin is quiet at motorway speeds. If you do corner with enthusiasm, the Merc handles neatly enough, but it's better suited to a steadier driving style.
A wide variety of different engine choices have been off by Mercedes over the long lifespan of the B-Class
The B200d and B220d share the same four-cylinder diesel engine, but with different power outputs. The B200d has 146bhp, while the B220d has 185bhp. Both use an eight-speed DCT automatic gearbox; there's no manual available.
From launch, petrol buyers had the choice of the 132bhp B180 and the 159bhp B200, both using fundamentally the same four-cylinder 1.3-litre turbo engine in different states of tune. Again, if you prefer a manual you are out of luck; both use a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Mercedes then extended the range with a less powerful diesel, the 114bhp B180d, and the 221bhp B250 petrol. That's quite a lot of power to put through the front wheels, though, and it's a shame there's no 4Matic four-wheel-drive version.
In the summer of 2020, Mercedes launched the B250e plug-in hybrid. With an all-electric range of 42 miles and low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the B250e is a tax-efficient choice for company car drivers.
As of a 2022 facelift, the engine range was pared right back to include just the B200 and the B200d, so those are your only options if buying brand new. If you want any of the other engine variants, you'll have to dip into the used car market.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
Entry-level Sport spec cars are reasonably well equipped, something that's not always true of Merc's starter trim levels. You get 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a multifunction steering wheel, heated front seats, keyless starting and dual-zone climate control.
Upgrading to Sport Executive is money well spent, though, as this adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a larger media screen, a wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones, front- and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Exclusive Edition adds 19-inch alloy wheels, uprated headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a high-end Burmester sound system, and more.
AMG Line Executive has 18-inch alloys, sports seats, and AMG styling features. AMG Line Premium adds more toys, including an augmented reality satnav feature that superimposes house numbers and other information onto camera footage of the road ahead. AMG Line Premium Plus adds adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, and more.
During the 2023 facelift, Sport trim was dropped, meaning that the range now begins with our favourite Sport Executive trim, and all models get the bigger infotainment screen as standard. The MBUX system was also upgraded slightly to support more functionality.
Mercedes B-Class running costs
Which B-Class has the lowest running costs? It really depends on how far you drive each day.
For someone with a relatively low daily mileage, the B250e plug-in hybrid will cost peanuts to run. If you can recharge at home overnight and don't fully drain the battery during the day, you could go weeks or even months without filling up on petrol. The official combined figure is 235.4mpg.
Higher mileage drivers won't get close to that figure without regular recharging, and so might want to consider one of the diesels instead. They are all closely matched in terms of economy, which isn't all that surprising when you remember they are essentially the same engine in different states of tune.
The B180d has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 53.3-54.4mpg, the B200d achieves 54.3-55.4mpg, and the B220d returns 54.3mpg. So you can decide between the three diesels based on your budget and how quick you would like your B-Class to be; fuel bills will be all but identical.
If you want petrol power but need to keep an eye on running costs, we'd give the B250 a miss. The official combined figure of 39.8-40.4mpg isn't bad in isolation, but it's nothing like as economical as the other petrols. The B180 and B200 both have returns of 44.8-45.6mpg, according to the official tests.
Insurance bills will be lowest if you choose an entry-level diesel. It sits in insurance group 19 or 20 of 50, depending on the exact specification. The B200d is in group 25-26, while the B220d is in group 29-30. The B200 sits in group 22-23, the B220 in group 25-26, and the B250 is in group 31. The B250e plug-in hybrid is also in group 31.
Mercedes-Benz offers servicing plans, which allow owners to pay for several services up front, or to spread the cost of servicing monthly. However, there are many independent Mercedes-Benz specialists who will be able to undercut main dealer prices.
Mercedes B-Class reliability
Mercedes’ cars are generally thought of as reliable, but that's not always necessarily the case; there's actually quite a wide variation in performance from model to model, and from generation to generation. With the third-gen B-Class, there are no big causes for concern that we're aware of.
We would, however, be wary of buying a diesel if you mostly drive short distances. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) may become clogged if used this way. This warning isn't specific to Mercedes or the B-Class, but applies to any modern diesel with a DPF.
If you are shopping for the Merc as a new car, the B-Class comes with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. That's identical to the length of warranty BMW supplies with the B-Class's archrival, the 2 Series Active Tourer.
If you're buying used, it's worth knowing that Mercedes-Benz Approved Used cars come with a one-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. Also, it's always worth checking if there is any recall work outstanding. A Mercedes-Benz dealer should be able to help, or you can enter the reg number into the recall checker on the gov.uk website.
- Depending on whether you find it brilliant or baffling, the MBUX infotainment system is one of the highlights of owning a B-Class. Controlled by a touchscreen, or a touchpad control, or voice commands (say "Hey Mercedes!" to get the system's attention), it's a complex but highly impressive bit of kit. Mercedes says the system can even respond to indirect commands. Say "I'm cold" and MBUX will warm up the cabin. Sport spec cars have a 7.0-inch media screen, but those in all other models in the B-Class line-up measure 10.25 inches for the full widescreen effect.
- Safety is a definite strong point for the B-Class. When tested by Euro NCAP in 2019, it scored the maximum five stars overall. The 96% score for adult occupant protection is especially high. It's possible to add more driver and safety aids by specifying the Driving Assistance package. This includes no fewer than 10 extra systems, including Active Braking Assistance with a cross traffic function to apply the brakes if pedestrians or other cars are crossing while you're reversing out of a parking space. It's a shame this package is only available on the top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus.
- Remember when the numbers in a model name referred to the car's engine capacity? Well, those days have long gone. The B180 does not have the 1.8-litre engine you might expect. It's powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, as is the B200. You might think the B250 has a 2.5-litre engine, but in fact it's a four-cylinder 2.0-litre. The diesels don't follow any discernible logic, either. The B180d, B200d, and B220d are all powered by 2.0-litre engines. And the B250e plug-in hybrid? The petrol engine is a 1.3-litre. If you're looking at buying a brand new B-Class, you now only have the B200 and B200d to choose from.
- If you want emissions-free short journeys: choose the B250e plug-in hybrid. The all-electric range is 42 miles. That's 14 miles further than the claimed range of the BMW 225xe Active Tourer. The B250e's official combined economy figure is 235.4mpg. It's quick as well as frugal, with a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds.
- If you want to keep the price sensible: choose the B180 Sport Executive. The B-Class is all about comfort rather than thrills, so the entry-level petrol engine is just fine. It's fuel-efficient for a petrol car. What's more, Sport Executive spec comes with all the essentials and one or two treats as well, such as the 10.25-inch MBUX media screen.
- If you want a diesel: choose the B200d. The B180d is a bit lukewarm, while the B220d is quicker than it needs to be. The 148bhp B200d hits the bullseye with strong performance, a reasonable price tag, and excellent fuel economy.
- If you want all the toys: choose the AMG Line Premium Plus. The most fully loaded of all B-Class models, the AMG Line Premium Plus is crammed full of tech and gadgetry. The multibeam LED headlights point around corners and switch from high-beam to dipped when traffic comes the other way. The augmented reality satnav system is like something out of science fiction, and the ambient interior lighting features no fewer than 64 different colours.
