2018 Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W247) B 180 7AT FWD (136 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Sharing its platform with the A-Class, the third generation of the B-Class appeared on the market in late 2018 for the 2019 model year and tried to save the upscale minivan model from Mercedes-Benz.

The first generation of the A-Class debuted in 1997 and was a small-sized minivan. Eventually, in 2012, the automaker transformed it into a regular hatchback that was more appealing than the MPV, and sales started to grow. But Mercedes-Benz’s management was still convinced that a more spacious vehicle with a similar footprint would be a better choice for families, so they ordered the B-Class that was built on the same platform as the A-Class.

Available with either a regular or an AMG-inspired front fascia, the B-Class grabbed customers’ attention with its swept-back headlights that sported an organic shape. Between them, the center grille boasted either a two-slat design or a 3D mesh one inspired by the carmaker’s performance subsidiary, AMG. From its profile, the steep hood and tall greenhouse created an MPV stance for the small-sized vehicle, while the ascending beltline made the vehicle look sporty. The racked-forward tailgate and slim rearmost pillars were also characteristic for the smallest people carrier in the carmaker’s portfolio.

Inside, the tall-mounted seats helped Mercedes-Benz offer enough legroom for everybody onboard. Still, the front occupants were spoiled with bucket seats and even high-bolstered ones, depending on the option. On the dashboard, the automaker installed the same twin-display setup as in the A-Class, with an LCD fronting the driver and a touchscreen atop the center stack for the MBUX infotainment system.

Like its predecessor, the 2019 B-Class delighted its customers with gasoline or turbo-diesel engines, most of them being provided by Renault. A plug-in hybrid version was also on the table.