It’s the new B-class, the more grown-up and practical brother to the sleek and sporty new A-class. While it doesn’t look as sleek – despite boasting an excellent Cd of 0.24 – Mercedes says it is definitely sporty, so much so it’s not a compact MPV at all now but a Sports Tourer.
Perhaps…but the real test has to be its added practicality, otherwise why not just buy an A-class? So how does it differ?
The front end gets the same A-class look, instantly identifying it as a new-generation Mercedes family member, but the rest of the body is new. It’s taller than the A, if slightly lower than the old B, it sits on an inch longer wheelbase and has a lower beltline, so more glass and more of what Mercedes says is a greater feeling of space than the old B-class. You sit a full 90mm (almost four inches) higher than in an A. The view out of this car should be very good indeed.
How’s the space used? Only for five seats and a boot. There’s not enough room here for a seven-seat option. But Mercedes says there’s more elbow room and more head room than before, up front at least, but there are no claims for more rear-seat space, other than it is easier to get to the middle seat now.