With the launch of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class in 2005 as a sports compact tourer, the automaker has sold more than 1.5 million models worldwide. And consumer demand has remained strong since deliveries of the third-generation B-Class began earlier this year. Continuing QUBE/just-auto's review of interior design and technology trends, we slipped inside the classy minivan to see what stands out.
So what is it all about? "More practical than ever, more chic than ever," is how Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales, characterises the new B-Class. "MBUX – the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience – provides also the B-Class with an all-new customer experience with functions that were previously the reserve of the luxury class."
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Size matters
The designers' brief was to make the B-Class stand out visually from the world of minivans. In terms of its dimensions, it has a long wheelbase (2729 mm) with short overhangs, slightly lowered roofline and larger, 16- to 19-inch wheels. The relatively squat, progressive front end with flowing transition from bonnet to A-pillar and on to the windscreen, along with the muscular shoulder of the body, gives it a sporty look, especially in AMG body styling.
So far so good. Let's take a look inside.
Plush cabin
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By GlobalDataAs we would expect from Mercedes, the cockpit incorporates some classy materials and smart gadgets to define the luxury carmaker's interior style. Facing the driver are two displays that can be merged to form a widescreen effect. Supplied by Continental, the dual display is said to make information and other content "intuitively perceptible". One display replaces the conventional instrument cluster and its analogue instruments while the other display sits above the centre console. Touch-sensitive controls on the multifunction leather steering wheel worked quite well to operate both displays. Our press review AMG Line model included an augmented reality navigation system.
The touchscreen is part of the integrated MBUX touch-control concept – a trio consisting of touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console (optional) and touch controls on the steering wheel. The touchpad is a bit fiddly to use at first but you soon get used to it.
Beneath the swanky widescreen display (one half of which is a touchscreen) in the centre of the dash are three round air vents modelled on aeroplane turbines. Combining these chrome vents with the multi-coloured ambient lighting package provides showroom appeal in spades.
Lower down on the centre stack is a row of switch-like buttons to control the HVAC and certain driving assistance systems.
Among those supplying the B-Class, AGC Automotive supplies the glazing. Chinese automotive company Ningbo HuaXiang Electronic and Hib Rolem Trim, a German-Romanian automotive supplier, produce auto parts and accessories, for example, decorative items for interior parts such as dashboards, centre consoles, and door trims for the A- and B-Class cars.
Are we sitting comfortably?
The power-adjustable, heated Artico man-made leather seats are offered with a massage function. The front seats also feature a kinetic system, enabling minuscule adjustments to the angle of each seat and backrest for either long or short journeys. The front seats are operated via intuitive pictogram buttons located on the door panels. The seat geometry and lower beltline provide a decent feeling of space compared to the previous model. The driver sits 90 millimetres higher than in an A-Class, providing a slightly lofty and reasonably comfy perch. Visibility is quite good thanks to optimised cross-sections of the roof pillars, which obscure less of the surroundings.
The roomy rear seating area has ample headroom (despite the double sunroof) and foot space beneath the front seats. With the rear seat folded down, the flat luggage area can accommodate up to 1540 litres. A folding backrest of the front passenger seat provides an even longer loading length.
The powered tailgate can be operated by either pressing a button on the driver's door panel, boot lid, key fob, waving your foot under the rear bumper (if you have ticked that option) or simply by manually releasing the boot handle.
Stay connected moving from A to B
The B-Class is the second car model after the A-Class to feature the MBUX system, which ushered in a new era with Mercedes me Connectivity. Its ability to learn thanks to AI makes the system unique.
The 'Mercedes me connect' can assist vehicle diagnostics in the event of a breakdown or an accident. Its concierge service sorts out the finer things in life, such as making a restaurant reservation, obtaining tips about tourist routes and information on cultural and sporting events. It can also send navigation destinations directly to the car.
The B-Class is also set up for private car sharing. 'Mercedes me' allows the car to be shared with friends and family members using an app.
Cloud-based voice activation ('digital assistant') is operated via a button on the steering wheel. Voice commands are somewhat limited but seemed to work well, all things considered. There is no shortage of USB sockets front and back to power up mobile devices.
Fancy lighting
During nighttime driving, the B-Class takes on an entirely different feel thanks to the ambient interior LED lighting that can be personalised using a palette of no fewer than 64 colours. It really does start to feel like a cockpit, adding illuminating highlights to the trim, central display, front stowage compartment on the centre console, handle recesses, door pockets, front and rear footwells, overhead control panel and even the door sills.
Driver interference when you need it?
Many of the driving assistance systems fitted to the B-Class are carried over from the S-Class. Just like the S-Class, the B-Class can be driven semi-autonomously in certain situations. Using camera and radar systems, it can anticipate traffic up to 500 metres ahead while using map and navigation data for assistance functions. For example, Active Distance Assist Distronic as part of the driving assistance package is able to support the driver in many route-specific situations, predictively and conveniently adjusting the speed, e.g. when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. Also on board are Active Emergency Stop Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. Other ADAS technologies include Active Brake Assist, which can help mitigate the severity of rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead. While the driver assistance pack is one of the most comprehensive available, it occasionally interferes – via audible warnings, adjusting the steering or brakes – when no real road danger exists.
On the road
The 2.0-litre diesel in AMG Line that we took out this weekend felt easy-going and relaxing along motorways and rooted on twisting back roads. Power is managed by an eight-speed automatic gearbox providing a good response when required. The gearbox, known as 8G-DCT which is short for eight gear double-clutch transmission, is produced at Daimler's factory in Sebes, central Romania. The ride was also smooth at doing its job (people carrying) on 18-inch multi-spoked wheels thanks to Tenneco's clever electronic damper technologies. The car's large fuel tank gave a good range and returned an average 49.1 mpg, a touch short of the carmaker's 50.4 mpg claim.
On balance, the B-Class comes with a generous list of standard equipment, oodles of connectivity, clever safety technology and an intuitive infotainment system. The net result of all this fashionable interior, high-end equipment and fancy screens makes it a good place to spend time.
