Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2019 Review

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class hits Australian roads exclusively in the form of the B 180 Sports Tourer despite a larger line-up being offered in other markets.

Its predecessor found just 844 homes Down Under in 2018 -- down from 1330 units sold in 2017 – which is hardly a surprise, given the rapid migration to SUVs now underway by Australian motorist. Or is it?

The B-Class is built on the all-new A-Class architecture that deserves acclaim for its upmarket interior and class-leading technology, all of which the new B-Class benefits from.

It’s larger too, blending A-Class style with small SUV proportions, and while its boxy yet spacious proportions see it regularly branded as a small people-mover of the prestige variety, Mercedes-Benz hopes we’ll see the B-Class is much more than that.

Inside the Mercedes-Benz B 180 you’re treated to the same pleasing levels of class and technology that we’ve now come to expect from Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

There’s definitely an initial wow factor as you slip behind the wheel of the boxy little Benz – and it’s more than superficial. You quickly forget that this vehicle’s silhouette deems it somewhat of an outcast among its siblings. There, I said it.

The optional ($1290) electrically adjustable, leather-trimmed and heated front seats with lumbar settings are seriously comfortable and set the tone for a technological feast inside the B-Class, where the centrepieces are the 10.25-inch dual screens that form the Benz’s widescreen cockpit display.

The five round aviation inspired air-vents will divide opinion, but work perfectly to distribute air through the cabin, which is of particular importance given the surprising absence of dedicated second-row air-vents.

The tactility of the B-Class cabin is exceptional, with a variety of surfaces blending seamlessly. The steering wheel in particular feels great in hand and the blacked-out controls look slick.

However, the heavy-handed application of piano-black finishes make this interior appear like a dust pit which, on the annoying scale, is second only to the plethora of finger prints you’ll leave throughout this cabin. Keep a cleaning cloth at hand.

Dual cup-holders, phone/oddment storage, good in-door cavities and a dual-lidded centre armrest offer a variety of sensible storage solutions.

With the latest technology interface from the three-pointer star brand on board, the Mercedes-Benz B 180 has the tech-savvy buyer in mind. And while the visual appeal of the dual screens is strong, their functionality is even better.

I’m already a fan and I’m yet to exploit the full capabilities this learned system has to offer. I wonder how many will.

The basic checklist is sure to please most by including satellite navigation, digital radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, screen customisation, nine-speaker sound, voice control and the Mercedes Me connect system.

There are infinite number of customisation options for your screen life and individualisation via the driver profile settings.

You can control most settings via the multi-function steering wheel (many buttons) or via a simple ‘Hey Mercedes’ command. This is great given the centre touchpad with haptic feedback is still not my favoured tool.

The latest round of Mercedes-Benz models to hit our roads now use a micro USB plug, and Mercedes-Benz supplies a single adapter for all the devices you own that aren’t compatible with it.

On the safety front you’ll find a five-star ANCAP safety rating, nine airbags, Active Brake Assist autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse), Active Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Parking Assist, front/rear parking sensors, reversing camera and the PRE-SAFE accident preparation system.

In Australia, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is offered in a solitary B 180 Sports Tourer specification.

Power is sourced from the same 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine as seen in the A-Class. It delivers 100kW and 200Nm to the front wheels and is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Claimed combined fuel consumption is just 5.7L/100km, but during our city-based time in the B 180 we recorded averages mostly between 7-10L/100km.

At best, a 41-minute journey over 26km (80/20 per cent freeway/suburbs) with an average speed of 38km/h returned average consumption of 6.5L/100km.

It’s fair to assume the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is not the car anybody would buy for its performance, so the decision to offer just one small-capacity engine in a vehicle with limited sales potential makes sense. But it doesn’t mean we don’t wish for more.

The 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine is not the B 180’s key talking point, but it rolls along nicely regardless. With your drive mode set to normal or eco, the B 180 tootles along smoothly and quietly but lacks any sense of urgency under hard acceleration.

You can move to Sports mode for a little more spring in your B-Class’ step, but that comes with a bit more noise and isn’t really in keeping with this upmarket, family-friendly package.

And impatience gets you nowhere anyway; push too hard and the B-Class puts up a protest in the form of wheel spin. Slow and steady is the B 180’s sweet spot -- as is freeway cruising, where serenity is the order of the day.

Our test vehicle was riding on the optional 18-inch five twin-spoke alloys wrapped in Bridgestone Turanza rubber, on which comfort was something to talk about with a consistently supple ride and some subtle tightening evident in Sport mode.

On long, sweeping bends or in tight corners, the B 180 is remarkably composed and suffers little if any body roll. It handles well.

The light steering (in normal or eco mode) is perfectly suited to city-based manoeuvring, but tends towards vague in other situations. Switch to sport mode for more weight in the wheel and a nicer steer overall.

With space and flexibility quite possibly the Mercedes-Benz B 180’s second most compelling selling point, you’d be right in thinking this small not-an-SUV screams family-friendly, especially with seats that are 90mm higher than in an A-Class.

Second-row accommodation confirms this theory. There’s plenty of room for three occupants to be seated comfortably with generous head and legroom -- and outward vision is great.

The dual-panel glass sunroof (part of the $2490 Vision Package that also includes a 360-degree camera) creates even greater sense of space in this cabin.

The centre armrest is home to two cup-holders and two charge points (micro USB) can be found at the back of the centre console… where your air-vents should be!

Three chid seat anchor points and two highly visible ISOFIX points are provided for your toddler seats, but I’m torn between their slightly tacky appearance and their practicality. I’d choose the more concealed look and enlist patience when fitting.

The electric tailgate with foot gesture opening (that works) reveals a 455-litre boot that benefits from 40:20:40-split folding rear seats, growing overall capacity to 1540 litres, with a compact tyre inflator kit concealed beneath. Four anchor points and two bag hooks keep your gear secure and the fixed cargo tray keeps it hidden.

A niche offering like the Mercedes-Benz B-Class doesn’t play by the rules in the limited Australian market, where it’s not expected to please the masses and find thousands of homes by offering multiple engine variants and trim levels, over-capitalised with endless costly options.

But if you’re a niche-oriented, tech-savvy and pragmatic buyer with family-friendly values at heart and alternate thinking in mind, we think you’ll like the new Mercedes-Benz B 180.

We’re not necessarily saying buy, but definitely saying try.

How much does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B 180 cost?
Price: $46,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 100kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 131g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP