Mercedes B-Class Sports Tourer, For Young Families

Before the SUV fever arose, the segment that triumphed was that of minivans, with options for all tastes and sizes. Over time this has been changing and there are few models of this type currently available, but there is one that endures and that is a more than interesting option. Its about

Developed from the same front-wheel drive chassis as the A-Class, CLA and GLA, the Mercedes B-Class is a compact minivan with a spacious cabin and a drive worthy of a traditional compact. Its main rival: the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

Design

Visually, the Mercedes compact minivan looks as current as it did on day one, when it was launched in 2012. This speaks to how well this area has been worked on.

The front, after receiving a renovation in 2015, has updated headlights more similar in shape to those of the rest of the range. The bumper, now with larger grills, has replaced the daytime running lights with a chrome one.

Seen in profile, the shape of the body is striking, since it is from this angle where one can see how square the car is to make the most of the interior space. Incidentally, the amount of lines and curves in the body hides the checkered effect extraordinarily.

The rear has been updated with new LED lights and a newly designed simulated diffuser. The use of a spoiler on the rear window is surprising , an element that is there for aerodynamic reasons, but that adds a dynamic touch to the exterior of the vehicle.

Tidy and spacious cabin

The cabin is very well resolved, with all the controls where they touch. Matter of taste is the screen of the infotainment system, tablet type and placed on the dashboard as a floating screen. Many say they do not stick and vice versa, but it is part of the personality of the interior.

The rest of the controls, such as the radio or the air conditioning, have a design that does show the passing of the years, out of date compared to the most recent models.

Mechanics

The mechanical fan of the Class B is just and necessary for a compact minivan, with powers never exceeding 200 hp,  with a maximum figure of 179 hp. Available in gasoline, natural gas, diesel and electric versions, the audience for the model is quite wide.

Among the gasoline, the presence of the natural gas version stands out , which maintains the same power as the B 200 but with much greater savings. However, no engine of this fuel has 4MATIC all-wheel drive available.

For their part, diesel propellants have a somewhat peculiar starting point. The most modest version, the B 180d, has only 109 hp and consumes less than the previously named natural gas version, although it has almost 50 hp more. Just above are the B 200d and 220d, 136 and 177 hp.

This diesel engine is the controversial 1.6 engine from Renault, although it is performing very well in terms of performance, maintenance and sales. As for the 4MATIC traction, it is only available in the intermediate model.

The surprise of the range is the B 250e, the 100% electric version of the model, which has been developed from the prototype presented a few years ago. It announces 179 hp  and zero consumption as it is an electric car.

On the contrary, its autonomy of 200 kilometers seems very scarce for the current canons, where the average theoretical and practical minimum is located at 350-400 kilometers.

Prices

The premium approach of the Mercedes B-Class is also noticeable in the prices in which it moves. Rates start at 29,450 and 30,200 for the 180 diesel and gasoline versions, respectively. One step ahead is the B 200, from 30,475 and 32,450 euros each.

As a medium term we would find the B 200 of natural gas available from 33,300 euros. Of all the conventional engines, the B 220d is positioned at the top of the range with a starting price of 37,725 euros. Still, higher than this is the electric B, from 44,225 euros without the possibility of accessing government discounts.

Data Mercedes B-Class Sport Tourer

• 5 doors
• 5 seats
• Trunk: 488 liters and 501 liters
• 4-cylinder engines with powers from 109 hp to 179 hp

• 6-speed manual gearbox or 7G-DCT 7-speed automatic gearbox
• 4MATIC front or all-wheel drive
• Consumption and emissions: from 4.0 l / 100 km and 104 g / km of CO2
• Price: from 29 450 euros