Date
August 24, 2012
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Cameron McGavin
Freelance Motoring Writer
A plush cabin and good value make this baby Benz well worth a look.
Mercedes-Benz B200
Mercedes-Benz B200 CDI.
Our rating:
Make
Mercedes-Benz
Model
B200 CDI
Price
$43,950 (auto only
Engine Size
1. 8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Emissions
122g CO2/km
Fuel Consumption
4.7L/100km
Power
100kW
Torque
300Nm
What’s it got?
Nine airbags, Stability control, Parking sensors, Parking assist, Cruise control, Trip computer, Auto headlights/wipers, Six-CD/MP3 sound system, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys
Show more specifications
A doesn't always come before B. Just ask Mercedes-Benz, which has launched its new B-Class small car ahead of the arrival of its third-generation A-Class sibling later this year.
The key aspects of the plot read the same. The new B is still a longer, roomier version of the A, still follows Benz's uniquely tall small-car philosophy and is again tasked with challenging rivals such as Audi's A3 and BMW's 1-Series.
But in many ways it's a fresh slate. It's lower, sportier and more stimulating to look at, with advances that bring it up to speed in the value, safety, performance, driving and environmental stakes.
Price and equipment
As with most prestige small cars the B-Class isn't cheap, with prices starting at $38,950 plus on-road costs for the base B180 BlueEfficiency petrol. Step up to the B200 BlueEfficiency petrol or B200 CDI BlueEfficiency diesel tested here and you're staring a kick-off price of $43,950 in the face.
But it's more generously appointed than most rivals. All models get climate control, six-CD/MP3 sound system, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming, nine airbags, stability control, parking sensors and a self-parking system. Fatigue-warning and collision-warning systems bolster this class-leading safety armoury, though the latter was prone to the odd phantom warning on our test car.
Both B200s, in addition to extra underbonnet oomph, get 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-shod steering wheel and fake leather trim.
You can also individualise the B to your heart's content with a range of options packages, with sports suspension, reversing camera, sat nav, leather heated power seats, radar cruise control and blindspot/lane-change warning systems just some of goodies available.
Under the bonnet
The B200 CDI's 100kW 1.8-litre turbodiesel engine isn't as big on torque (pulling power as some rivals but this willing, flexible unit is usefully responsive around town and an unruffled cruiser. It's also smooth and, despite a bit of clatter detectable from the outside at idle, very quiet.
Benz's new double-clutch seven-speed auto can't quite escape the odd moments of hesitation you get with these kinds of transmissions in stop-start driving. But on the roll it's decisive, quick and deliciously smooth.
The B200 CDI is also very thrifty. Mercedes claims an excellent 4.7L/100km official rating and we averaged 5.7L/100km over our combined urban/highway loop, with the effective, unobtrusive auto stop/start system helping to keep a lid on thirst in stop-start driving.
How it drives
The new B uses its lower centre of gravity and new four-link rear suspension to slay its mushy predecessor on the road. It turns into corners eagerly, doesn't flop about and generally feels quite planted.
Big mid-corner heaves, however, tend to upset its composure more than the best-driving small cars and the steering's lightness and lack of off-centre authority makes finer placement a hit-and-miss proposition at times.
More important to many buyers will be comfort, and the B possesses a good dose of the relaxed demeanour you expect of a Mercedes.
That's apparent around town, where it shrugs off most smaller low-speed bumps with good grace, and it’s also a quiet and comfortable highway cruiser. But it’s not so good at soaking up the sharper, more sustained surface uglies you find on B-grade rural roads.
Comfort and practicality
The new B might be 5cm lower than before but it remains on the roomy side of the small-car scale.
There's enough leg and foot space in the back for taller adults, while the tall, box-shaped boot gets a false floor that allows you to maximise depth or make a flat floor when the split-fold back seats are dropped. Part of its depth is due to the lack of a spare tyre; as with most BMWs these days it uses run-flat tyres.
The driver, meanwhile, is treated to an attractive soft-touch dash decked out with wood (resplendent with LED lighting on the bottom edge, glitzy circular air vents and lashings of chrome trim. It looks and feels suitably upmarket, and – thanks to the plentiful storage and relative simplicity of Benz's Comand mouse-style control system – it all works a treat.
One niggle is the driver's seat, which is comfortable but also just a little wide between the bolsters to properly support thinner frames.
Competitors
Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI Ambition
How much? From $45,300
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel. 103kW/320Nm
Fuel use/emissions: 5.3L/100km and 140g CO2/km
Safety: Five-star NCAP rating. Six airbags, stability control
What’s it got? Dual-zone climate control, cruise control, trip computer, auto headlights/wipers, CD/MP3 sound system, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys
For: Quality feel, capable road manners, competitive diesel drivetrain
Against: Mediocre value, tight back seat, dual-clutch auto's urban stutters, soon to be replaced Our score: 3 stars
BMW 118d
How much? From $43,500
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel. 105kW/320Nm
Fuel use/emissions: 4. 5L/100km and 118g CO2/km
Safety: Five-star NCAP rating. Six airbags, stability control, ABS, rear parking sensors
What’s it got? Dual-zone climate control, cruise control, trip computer, auto headlights/wipers, CD/MP3 sound system, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys
For: Strong performance, great economy, great to drive, cabin looks and feels good
Against: Value up for debate, back seat a bit tight, ride struggles over sharp bumps
Our score: 4 stars
Volkswagen Golf 103 TDI Comfortline BlueMotion
Volkswagen Golf 103 TDI Comfortline BlueMotion
How much: From $34,490 (auto only
Engine:: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel. 103kW/320Nm
Fuel use/emissions: 5.3L/100km and 137g CO2/km
Safety: Five-star NCAP rating. Seven airbags, stability control
What’s it got? Dual-zone climate control, cruise control, trip computer, auto headlights/wipers, CD/MP3 sound system, Bluetooth, 16-inch alloys
For: Classy road manners, classy cabin, competitive diesel drivetrain, brilliant value next to prestige rivals
Against: Not an economy leader in this company, dual-clutch auto's urban stutters
Our score: 4 stars
Overall verdict
Despite major on-road improvements you're not going to buy a new B-Class for its driving qualities. For keen drivers a BMW 1-Series or VW Golf, or even a Mazda3 or Ford Focus, is a better bet.
Unlike the old one, though, its shortcomings are far from being a deal-breaker. And there are many reasons to take it very seriously, from the standout value and safety to the lush cabin and refined, thrifty diesel drivetrain. Prestige small-car buyers should at least try one on for size before counting it out; they might just find it fits.
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Mercedes-Benz B200
A plush cabin and good value make this baby Benz well worth a look.
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