May 2007
First Look: Mercedes-Benz B200
A compact, luxury hatchback that might be bound for the States
Overview. For most of us, the concept of a front-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz economy car is an oxymoron, but it's a different story in
Europe. There, the three-pointed Mercedes star adorns small hatchbacks, taxis, and even commercial vans that are not seen
here in the States. But that could change.
A tall hatchback called the B-Class is sold in Canada, and it might be imported here. With its upright stance and sharply sloped nose, the B-Class looks like a baby minivan. We bought one in Montreal for the equivalent of $28,890 and brought it to our 327-acre Connecticut facility for testing.
Our car is a regular B200, the lower of two trim lines. It came equipped with a 134-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission. The Turbo edition brings the power rating to 193 hp. The B-Class comes with a full roster of safety equipment and a novel structural design consisting of a double-layer floor, which has the engine slot in between the two layers. In a frontal crash, the design will prevent the engine from intruding into the cabin. Instead, the engine will be pushed beneath the passenger compartment not into it.
Initial impressions. The B-Class is pleasant to drive, due to a comfortable ride and sure-footed handling. The steering is a little vague feeling but responsive and well weighted. The quiet cabin is fitted with well-proportioned seats. When revved, the engine has a drone typical of four-cylinders, but the power delivery is more than adequate. The CVT works well and a manual override allows for shifting among seven virtual gear ratios.
The interior feels spacious, especially given the vehicle's compact length. Visibility is excellent. The switchgear has the familiar Mercedes look and layout (complete with an inconvenient cruise-control lever). But the cabin does without the wood and leather touches found on the Mercedes models we are familiar with in the States. The tall roof aids access, although the double-layer floor results in a high step-in. The rear offers quite a bit of seating space, and the seats fold flat to free up a generous cargo hold.
CR's Take: Although the price tag seems high for a car that competes generally in the same size class as the Nissan Versa hatchback and Toyota Matrix, it presents itself as a well-thought-out design that feels solid and more refined than is typical in this size class. We'll see how the B-Class ranks among other small-car alternatives in the October issue of Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org this September.
Read the Consumer Reports Cars Blog for regular updates on vehicles CR is currently evaluating.
A tall hatchback called the B-Class is sold in Canada, and it might be imported here. With its upright stance and sharply sloped nose, the B-Class looks like a baby minivan. We bought one in Montreal for the equivalent of $28,890 and brought it to our 327-acre Connecticut facility for testing.
Our car is a regular B200, the lower of two trim lines. It came equipped with a 134-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission. The Turbo edition brings the power rating to 193 hp. The B-Class comes with a full roster of safety equipment and a novel structural design consisting of a double-layer floor, which has the engine slot in between the two layers. In a frontal crash, the design will prevent the engine from intruding into the cabin. Instead, the engine will be pushed beneath the passenger compartment not into it.
Initial impressions. The B-Class is pleasant to drive, due to a comfortable ride and sure-footed handling. The steering is a little vague feeling but responsive and well weighted. The quiet cabin is fitted with well-proportioned seats. When revved, the engine has a drone typical of four-cylinders, but the power delivery is more than adequate. The CVT works well and a manual override allows for shifting among seven virtual gear ratios.
The interior feels spacious, especially given the vehicle's compact length. Visibility is excellent. The switchgear has the familiar Mercedes look and layout (complete with an inconvenient cruise-control lever). But the cabin does without the wood and leather touches found on the Mercedes models we are familiar with in the States. The tall roof aids access, although the double-layer floor results in a high step-in. The rear offers quite a bit of seating space, and the seats fold flat to free up a generous cargo hold.
CR's Take: Although the price tag seems high for a car that competes generally in the same size class as the Nissan Versa hatchback and Toyota Matrix, it presents itself as a well-thought-out design that feels solid and more refined than is typical in this size class. We'll see how the B-Class ranks among other small-car alternatives in the October issue of Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org this September.
Read the Consumer Reports Cars Blog for regular updates on vehicles CR is currently evaluating.
