The Mercedes B-Class currently holds a very special position in Mercedes' model range.
It's the only Mercedes-car without a AMG-version. And I think it's going to be like that for some time.
It's not like they'll release a B45 AMG in a year or so. The B-Class has been the most boring Mercedes available...
since they turned the A-Class is a flashy hatchback. And there's nothing wrong with that, because it's good in that segment.
However, you can see the segment is changing a little. BMW started the change with their BMW 2-series Active and Gran Tourers,
And they sell like hot buns. That's why Mercedes thought that they should pay more attention...
to the B-Class and fancy it up a little. I personally don't like the way it looks though,
but I didn't like its predecessor either. It's what it is.
It's lower, it's three centimetres longer than its predecessor, despite the fact it's on the same platform as the A-Class.
That's why it looks a little longer and not like a house on wheels. Also, because the space increases, you've got more litres available.
Basically, you've got 455 litres, but if you fold everything down, you've got 1.500 litres. That's a lot.
This spring, a version with a movable rear seat will be available as well.
That way you can increase either the luggage space or the legroom on the rear seat.
Even with the normal rear seat, I can say that I'm pretty good back here as an adult.
Just look at the amount of legroom I've got, and I'm behind myself now.
I even have some headroom left, despite the glass roof which takes up space.
I think the finishing is very good as well. Also, despite it's higher, the angle is still very good.
The floor is low enough compared to the couch which means I'm pretty comfortable back here.
So, not only small children can cope back here. Adults are able to sit here as well, and that trumps my expectations.
Right, let's take a look at the front. It looks very familiar, because of the A-Class longterm.
I'll turn off the music... The reactions I've read on the website and the socials...
make clear that this screen is a matter of taste. Some people hate it, but I think it looks very modern.
The system also works very quick. You can fly through the menu's, even though you have to get used to it.
If you know where to find everything, you'll notice it's all very smooth and quick.
You also have some gauges in front of you, but they're actually three separate screens.
You can personalize the left and right gauges and the screen in the middle.
It takes a little getting used to, but when you can find your way around it,
you'll fly through it. It's very modern and accessible, so that's a plus.
If we look at the quality and finishing, it feels very premium. That's a big advantage of a small Mercedes,
because both the A- and B-Class have the same 'Mercedes'-feel like the C- and E-Class. It's of a high level.
The same goes for the technology. It has a lot of safety features on board, even the first signs of autonomous driving are available.
It'll debut on the S-Class, and it'll trickle down to the smaller models, so the B-Class has it as well.
Of course, it's an optional extra.
Then, the drive. The B-Class is on the same platform as the new A-Class and that's why it feels pretty similar.
However, you notice that they've tried to make the B-Class even more accessible.
Of course, the A-Class is hip whilst the B-Class is a little more modest. You'll notice that immediately when you get in,
because if you want to lower the seat, you can't. It's already at its lowest.
You're pretty high up. Also, you can move the steering wheel pretty far towards you, so the seating position is still good.
If you start driving it, the indirect steering is incredibly light. The power steering is very powerful.
That makes it a very relaxed car to drive. You could almost park the car with only two fingers.
There are lots of people who would like that. If we're talking about comfort, I should mention that it's typically Mercedes.
It heaves a little and it's all very flying carpet-like, but it doesn't feel like a wet mop.
Mercedes does that better than anyone else when it comes to delivering comfort.
It's available with dynamic dampers. This particular car has a very extensive trim, so if I put it into Sport-mode,
I notice a lot of difference. On Mallorca, there are lots of twisty roads. That means it's pretty nice that the springs give a lot of way.
Revving more is a little unnecessary though. For the Netherlands however, if you're looking for a car like this,
you don't need similar options though.
I do have to say, now I'm driving it, it's a very quiet car. It's raining pretty hard at the moment,
about which I'm sorry, but I can't do anything about it, but you don't really hear it. There's almost no wind noise,
which adds to the comfort. Especially on long distances at high speeds. Then, the engine. It's the B200, which is powered by...
a 1.3-litre petrol engine and that's the same engine as in our A-Class longterm.
Also, it's a Renault-engine, and I like it very much. Renault has done that very well.
It's smooth, it's quiet... It's not like it has to spool the turbo's first, no. It provides you with power across a very big rev-range.
If you've got a torque-rich engine, it makes for a very relaxing car. It's connected to a double clutch 7-speed automatic gearbox,
which both Mercedes and Renault use. It's a gearbox which I'm positive and negative about.
When you're at speed, it's very fluent. The gear changes are smooth, it doesn't bang, it's quick enough.
The revs aren't kept extremely low, however, when you're driving off at lower speeds,
it has to pick up a little. That's annoying if you want to make a quick getaway at a...
traffic light or anything. It's annoying when you're parking as well and you have to...
parallel park, because you'll be gas - nothing - gas, and then it'll launch you forward.
That's not very nice if you're near a wall or anything. That sometimes happens with Volkswagen DSG-gearboxes as well,
especially the dry plate clutches. It's an automatic gearbox which works with a torque converter,
which offers a little more comfort at smaller movements.
When you look at it as a whole, it's a very comfortable car for long distances, without a lot of excitement.
But there's a group of buyers, who usually is a little older, who don't want cars as big as the C-Class anymore.
However, they still want Mercedes-quality, Mercedes-safety, Mercedes-comfort, the quietness...
And that's where this car comes into play. There's a lot to be achieved in this segment as well.
Why else would BMW be this successful with its Active Tourer and Gran Tourer?
And yeah, options on a car like this cost a little extra, but that where brands like this get their money.
So if you ask me, the biggest drawback about the B-Class, besides its lack of excitement, will probably be the price.
However, at this moment, I don't know the price. That'll probably come at the end of this year.
This particular car looks great, everything's on here. Dynamic systems for driving, the most recent safety features,
cooled and heated seats... I mean, this will get me to the south of France, but if I have to pay €70.000,
I can build it myself as well for that money, but the price is still unknown.
I don't think Mercedes will compete on price, they'll compete on quality.
So if you want it in a nice, luxurious way, you should think about quite the prices.
However, for that money, you'll get a very nice, comfortable, qualitatively outstanding car.