Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2011-2018) review | Sensible and practical alternative to a family SUV
Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars for sale
3.0
Expert review
Pros
Unusually cheap to buy for a premium-badged car
Lots of cabin space
Affordable running costs
Cons
Dull looks and bland to drive
Sportier models have a very firm ride
Not as clever inside as the best MPVs
The CarGurus verdict
If anything, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class has become more appealing with age. It may not be the most fashionable family car, but the combination of a premium badge, practicality and relatively affordable used prices gives it genuine appeal.
The B-Class is not especially exciting to drive, and versions with the lowered suspension can feel firm on UK roads. However, family buyers are likely to appreciate the light steering, solid cabin quality, comfortable driving position and excellent visibility. Add in generous passenger space and a practical boot, and the B-Class starts to make a lot of sense as an everyday car.
Choose the right engine and trim level, buy carefully and keep up with routine maintenance. Do all this and the B-Class should provide dependable and comfortable motoring for years to come.
What is the Mercedes-Benz B-Class?
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class arrived in 2011 as a more polished and conventional successor to the original B-Class. Mercedes-Benz gave it sharper styling, improved interior quality and a more comfortable driving experience. Space for passengers and luggage was also increased.
Compared with its predecessor, the new B-Class felt more like a traditional family hatchback to drive, but it retained the higher seating position and practicality that appealed to families and older buyers alike.
Unfortunately for Mercedes-Benz, the B-Class arrived just as buyers were beginning to shift towards SUVs and crossovers in large numbers. As a result, it never became fashionable, but that helps make it an appealing used buy for anyone who wants a spacious, comfortable and well-built family car.
How practical is it?
Undoubtedly, it is the overall sense of airiness and space that makes the B-Class such a good family car. Although there is loads of knee room, elbow room and headroom wherever you sit, it is particularly spacious in the back. With some additional help from the wide-opening rear doors, getting toddlers in and out of child seats is easier than with many mid-sized hatchbacks.
Whether you use it to carry pushchairs, sports kit or the family dog, the square-shaped 486-litre boot is big enough for most people’s needs. There’s plenty of room even with the rear seats in place, while folding the rear seat-backs increases capacity to a useful 1,545 litres.
What's it like to drive?
The B-Class prioritises comfort and ease of use over driving enjoyment. Light steering and good visibility make it easy to manoeuvre around town, while the high seating position gives the driver a clear view of the road ahead.
However, some versions can feel unsettled on rough roads, with sharper bumps sending noticeable vibrations through the cabin. Certain engines also become quite vocal when worked hard, especially the lower-powered diesel models.
Still, the B-Class was never intended to be a sporty family car. Instead, it majors on refinement, practicality and relaxed motorway cruising, all of which suit its character rather well.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
Thankfully, there are only a few trim levels to get your head around. SE models ride on 16-inch alloy wheels and comfort suspension, and feature a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, USB charging ports, smartphone integration and air conditioning.
Sport trim adds larger 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, climate control air-con and a larger infotainment display. Range-topping AMG Line trim models get sportier styling, lowered sports suspension and leather upholstery.
If you can find a car with sliding rear seats, so much the better. As well as moving backwards and forwards, the seat-backs can be positioned more upright to maximise boot space. Fold everything flat and the B-Class becomes an impressively versatile way to carry bulky loads.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class running costs
The good news for used buyers is that most B-Class models have already gone through the steepest part of their depreciation curve. Higher-spec AMG Line versions may look more desirable, but they also bring firmer suspension, larger wheels and higher running costs.
Routine servicing is fairly straightforward, and buyers can choose between Mercedes-Benz main dealers and independent specialists. The latter are usually a lot cheaper, while the B-Class itself is not especially complicated by modern standards.
Fuel economy is respectable across the range. Petrol models can return around 50mpg in careful driving, while diesels are capable of more than 60mpg on longer journeys. Insurance costs are generally reasonable for a premium-badged family car, although the more powerful models naturally cost more to cover.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class reliability
Many B-Class models were sold with Mercedes-Benz’s dual-clutch transmission. While some owners have reported hesitant or inconsistent shifting, problems are often linked to missed gearbox oil changes, so a full and well-documented service history is especially important.
Some owners have also reported issues with starter motors, air-conditioning pulleys and leaking injector seals. Diesel models used mainly for short journeys can suffer from blocked diesel particulate filters (DPFs). A long motorway drive will sometimes clear the issue before more expensive repairs are required.
Overall, the B-Class has a decent reputation for reliability by the standards of a premium family car, particularly when properly maintained. Mercedes-Benz originally backed it with a three-year unlimited-mileage warranty, which reflected its confidence in the car’s long-term durability.
- Mercedes-Benz offered a surprisingly wide range of engines in the B-Class, including petrol, diesel and even fully electric versions. Petrol models included the B180 and B200, while diesels ranged from the economical B180d to the more powerful B220d. Most versions were available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.
- Compared with rivals such as the Citroen C4 Picasso, the B-Class looked relatively understated, but its interior quality remains impressive today. Even lower-spec cars feel solidly built, with plush materials and a more premium feel than many family cars of this era.
- Safety equipment was strong for the time, with features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring available on some models. The B-Class also received a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
- Best if you’re buying on a budget: There’s little point overspending on a used B-Class, especially as higher-spec cars can often be found for similar money to more basic versions. A petrol-powered B180 or B200 in SE trim should offer the lowest entry point while still feeling well equipped.
- Best for fuel economy: Diesel models deliver the best economy, and most should comfortably exceed 60mpg on a longer run. The B180d strikes a good balance between efficiency and usable performance, especially with the manual gearbox. While 107bhp may not sound like much, strong low-down torque helps the B-Class feel relaxed in everyday driving.
- Best for styling and equipment: AMG Line models add sportier styling, larger alloy wheels and upgraded trim details. Pair one with the more powerful 220d engine and the B-Class gains enough performance to match its sharper appearance.
