Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2015 Review - International

Mercedes-Benz has kept to its long tradition of giving its middle-aged models the mildest of cosmetic tweaks.

Here the 'new' B-Class gains a revised front bumper with larger, more prominent, air intakes and, at the rear, another new bumper, but one that neatly incorporates two tailpipes.

The tail-light clusters gain LED lights while the headlights now incorporate LED daytime running lights.

Inside, the cabin remains as classy as ever, but is boosted by the addition of an 8.0-inch tablet-style screen that has a controller between the front seats to operate the infotainment and sat-nav.

So far, so underwhelming; but the biggest news is what has happened under the bonnet, with adoption of new engines, a natural gas-powered variant and even a state-of-the-art electric-powered version that steals its guts from Tesla.

Less welcome news is that the pure electric and biogas versions will remain curios limited to just Europen and US markets until a business case (read Federal incentives) emerges for us Down Under. On the plus side we do gain a new 100kW/300Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel that replaces the old 1.8-litre and powers the B 200CDI.

The petrol-powered B 180, B 200 and B 250 remain unchanged. All come standard with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Pricing too remains almost the same with the model range spanning from around $40,900 to $50,900 (plus on-road costs).

For our drive we sampled the B 200 CDI (diesel) and B 250 petrol. Since our launch was overseas both came with Mercedes 4MATIC all-wheel drive system that is an option in some markets – something that has never been available to us.

Don’t worry — we’re not missing out.

Despite making the B 200 CDI a tenth quicker from 0-100km/h (9.8sec v 9.9), the all-wheel-drive hardware adds weight and blunts the way it drives. In short it makes the 4MATIC-equipped B-Class feel nose-heavy and less agile than its two-wheel-drive counterpart.

It was a similar story for the B 250. For anyone hoping the most powerful petrol might have transformed the B-Class into a cut-price A 45 AMG – it hasn’t.

What it does do is help put its 155kW/350Nm down cleanly and give it a decent turn of pace off the line (0-100km/h in 6.7sec). But that’s it. It doesn’t add any agility or excitement to the B-Class which is a shame because Mercedes has once again confirmed there will never be a B 45 AMG in its line-up.

Both cars sampled deliver impressive levels of refinement at cruising speeds, but the B 200 CDI makes a racket when worked hard.

Best bet is to avoid it completely and choose the smooth 115kW/250Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol that powers the B 200. It can’t quite match the diesel’s 5.0L/100km NEDC Combined fuel figure, but comes close with an achievable 5.6.

Helping tempt you away from its German neighbour’s showroom, Mercedes has lifted the standard spec of all the trim levels, so the B-Class should be closely matched on value with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (although this is still to be confirmed before its early 2015 on-sale date).

New tech introduced on the revised B-Class includes Connect Me that allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to check the location, fuel levels, tyre pressure, service schedule or even fire up the blowers to start cooling your car before you return.

More impressive though is making Mercedes’ Collision Prevention Assist Plus standard across the B-Class range – it might sound a mouthful but it adds autonomous braking that alerts, and ultimately intervenes by applying full braking if the system thinks you haven’t spotted the car ahead.

All versions also come with seven airbags that includes a driver's knee bag.

So to the important question: Is all this enough to make you plump for the B-Class over the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer?

Well, probably not. Despite the well-made interior and continued practicality of the B-Class, the BMW has an even better interior and is far better to drive with better performance – it’s easily the better car.