The B-Class Mercedes is a stretched, but only just, A-Class; an MPV to compete with Vauxhall's Zafira or Renault's Scenic. But the cost puts it out of this market. Built with the same quality as the A-Class, it is a little bigger and far better equipped. There is no shortage of space, so five people can fit with acres of space and still have plenty of room for luggage.
The car runs on variable-rate dampers, which alter the stiffness of the ride dependent upon speed, so the ride is supposed to be good whatever is happening. This doesn't always happen with soft sometimes being too soft and hard too hard. The steering is not as communicative as you would hope.
The B-Class offers a choice of six four-cylinder engines: two 2.0ltr diesels with 108 and 138bhp, and 1.5ltr, 1.7ltr and 2.0ltr naturally aspirated petrol engines with 94, 115 and 134bhp each. A 2.0ltr turbo with 190bhp tops the list. The two turbos get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard; all other engines have five-speed. All have the option of the seven-step continuously variable transmission gearbox.
Also like the A-Class, the B-Class comes with vast amounts of technology to correct some tendencies caused by the shape of the car: steer control function, ABS with brake assist, ASR (acceleration skid control) and stability control to name a few.
Not as economical as the A-Class and the insurance comes from groups 7 to 14 (the highest for the turbo).
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Mercedes B CLASS.