Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2013-2018)

By Jonathan Crouch

Models Covered

5dr MPV (1.6 petrol [B180/B200] / 1.8 diesel [B180CDI/B200CDI] / 2.1 diesel [B220CDI])

Introduction

Smarter, better to drive, more efficient and with lots more space, the second generation Mercedes B-Class that sold in the 2012-2018 period was made of the right stuff. More versatile than a family hatch, less frumpy that a 5-seat mini-MPV, it proved to be an interesting and high quality choice for smaller families.

The History

Mercedes has always struggled to build compact, affordable cars that feel like, well….. a Mercedes. Just after the turn of the century, you tried a first generation A or B-Class and thought it nicely built but not quite special enough, ultimately a very expensive way to buy a very expensive badge. And that was a problem. Executives, you see, rarely question the Three-Pointed Star price premium in their large, smart saloons and SUVs, its necessity obvious every time they ease behind the wheel. Without that extra class, choosing one of this brand’s smaller models just seemed like a colossally costly way of buying what in essence was a fairly ordinary family hatchback. The suits from Stuttgart knew it and in response at the end of the 21st Century’s first decade, invested more than ever before in a new, more Merc-like generation of compact models. This is one of them, the second generation B-Class which arrived here in the early Spring of 2012.

No model change in the history of this brand had ever seen the introduction of so many developments at once. Everything from the platform this MK2 B-Class sat upon to the powerplants that drove it was re-engineered from scratch, alongside strong standards of safety, a sharper chassis and hi-tech equipment. And yes, most importantly, we were promised a proper ‘premium’ feel in this, the brand’s second stab at what it calls its ‘Sports Tourer’. As for what exactly one of those might be, you can get a feel for the answer at first glance. Here’s a car that’s clearly more practical and versatile than a Golf or Focus-sized family hatch. But not as frumpy and high-set as a five-seater C-MAX or Scenic-like mini-MPV. It’s the Mercedes take on compact, upwardly-mobile motoring for a compact, upwardly-mobile family. It sold until a third generation version was launched in early 2019.

What You Get

If you’d removed the front grille and badgework from an original first generation B-Class model, you’d have been left with a shape that could have been made by almost anyone. This MK2 version, in contrast, has much more of a brand-based identity. For a start, it’s astoundingly sleek for something so necessarily boxy in remit. Under the skin, this car is actually less revolutionary than its predecessor. To improve its structural rigidity, that car had a theoretically clever double-layer floor that Mercedes now admits wasn’t a very good idea, compromising as it did both the driving position and the practicality of the cabin layout. Without it, this B-Class crouches almost 5cms lower on the road than its predecessor, with a sportier, more agile demeanour emphasised by its signature styling flourish, a blade-like crease that flows diagonally upwards across the rear doors to the tail lamps.

Inside, the lower roofline didn’t translate into less headroom. In fact, there’s actually more than the MK1 B-Class could offer, something you especially notice at the rear where there’s potentially more legroom than Mercedes offers in an S-Class luxury saloon. To really stretch out, you’ll need to have got a model whose original owner paid extra for the EASY-VARIO-PLUS system. This enables the rear bench to both recline and slide backwards and forward by up to 140mm to maximise space for either passengers or their packages behind. Which is all well and good if there are only two of you at the back. A third adult though, is not going to be very comfortable at all, perched as he or she must be on a seat that really isn’t a seat at all but instead a raised section of upholstery linking the two outer chairs. Worse, this car’s front driven layout didn’t prevent a transmission tunnel-shaped intrusion robbing centre seat legroom. It is, in summary, easy to see why Mercedes never wanted us to call this an MPV. With what is essentially a four-person carriage capacity, that might leave them with something to answer for under the trades descriptions act.

What To Look For

Most B-Class owners in our survey were satisfied, but inevitably, there were some who’d experienced problems. One owner reported computer glitch issues and a malfunctioning stop-start system, so check that on your test drive. We came across reports of problems with the dual clutch auto transmission on a B220; two owners complained of sudden surges at low speeds from around 15mph. In another instance, the safety ‘Pre-Safe’ system (which prepares the car for rear-end collisions) failed.

Check for signs of damage to the bodywork and alloy wheels. Even though virtually all B-Class models came with parking sensors, there may be some and top-spec variants with wide alloy rims are particularly prone to scratches. Check for uneven panel gaps and paint flaws. Inspect the electrics and the air conditioning functionality – it should blow our really chilled air. Some owners in our survey complained of un-Mercedes-like squeaks and rattles; try the car you have in mind across a bumpy bit of road to try and expose any nasty noises.

On The Road

Approach this car as an MPV customer and you’ll notice one thing very early on. There’s no raised driving position. As a result, customers used to the original version of this B-Class will find themselves perched closer to the road, in a seating position just like that in any Golf or Astra family hatch.

To get a feel for this model’s modestly powered remit, you’ve only to look at the mainstream engines on offer, a petrol 1.6 and a diesel 1.8. Many original buyers went for the entry-level B180 petrol variant, its 1.6 putting out a modest 122bhp, good enough to make sixty from rest in 10.4s on the way to 118mph. The same unit was tuned to 156bhp in the B200 petrol model, which manages 8.6s and 137mph.

It’s probably better though, if you can afford the price premium, to stretch to one of the 1.8-litre diesels. The basic B180 CDI variant’s 109bhp may sound a little feeble but it’s still enough to generate a match in pulling power then, for the pokiest mainstream petrol model. There was also a 2.1-litre B220 CDI variant, which could be had with 4MATIC 4WD.

Overall

True, it isn’t perfect. Whether the used alternatives you’re considering are plusher versions of either family hatchbacks or five-seater mini-MPVs, you’ll find sharper-handling rivals out there from this period - and many that can offer more rear seat space. We have a feeling though, that few potential buyers of this Mercedes will be put off by these issues. These people will recognise in this second generation model the car the B-Class should always been. A car that nobody but Mercedes could have built.