Road test: Mercedes-Benz B 200d: who said MPVs were dead?

The rise of SUVs led many to consign to oblivion other illustrious segments such as the MPV. And it is that for many years, this segment amply covered the needs of thousands of large families, a role that seven-seat SUVs have since taken over. Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz has not wanted to let this so charismatic segment suffer in its attempt to survive, as they demonstrate with the B-Class, a model that is now entering the market in its third generation.

At Highmotor we wanted to find out whether this type of car still has a place in a market whose clear predilection for SUVs is driving the eradication of other segments. To do so, we lived with the Mercedes-Benz B 200d for a week, but has it lived up to its predecessors, the compact MPV? Let’s find out.

A soft styling very much in the MPV mould

The Mercedes B-Class was born in 2005 as a derivative of what was then the flagship of the MPVs, the R-Class. Although the latter did not enjoy the success hoped for, the truth is that the small B-Class struck a much better chord with the tastes of the potential buyer of a small MPV, which has also helped its legacy to extend up to the present day.

As far as styling goes, we can still perceive the clear MPV DNA left by its first generation, though seasoned with today’s design canons. The front is governed by two slim, elongated LED headlights that fit very well with a diamond-type grille; but it is the bumper flanked by two prominent air intakes that gives the whole ensemble a touch of spice.

The side shows its pure, hard-edged MPV essence through a considerably high roof and a straight drop of the tailgate. At the rear, the latest design language of Mercedes makes its appearance once again, courtesy of much more stylised lights and a clean surface without excessive ornamentation. Though yes, the darned fake exhausts are still present.

High doses of technology

I must admit that the interior of the new B-Class leaves every passenger astonished thanks to its undisputed protagonists: two digital screens of 10.25 inches each. However, once we have managed to escape the amazement of this technological marvel, which I will describe in depth a few lines further down, we notice certain details that jar in a car at this price.

The steering wheel, pleasant to the touch and with a multifunction system, serves as the antechamber to the two majestic screens that seek to be the hallmark of Mercedes-Benz. However, these quickly lose their lustre due to the lack of a superior surround that links them to the dashboard, and to an MBUX infotainment system with a quick, lively response but tedious to live with because of its numerous menus.

I must not overlook the innovative personal assistant that the smallest of Mercedes incorporate, a system with a well-developed interface that proves quite useful on various occasions by keeping our hands on the wheel. However, I came across a rather annoying drawback: the German MPV uses USB-C ports, a type of connection that is not yet widespread and will force us to carry an adapter.

As regards interior quality, the B-Class has left me somewhat torn, and let me explain. In certain areas -such as the dashboard- we find leather-look materials that more than deliver a pleasant touch. However, it is the plastics that jar most, with doubtful quality and a feel when touched -or when pressing certain buttons- of being rather flimsy. This is the case with the window controls or the climate controls.

But, leaving aside being overly fussy, I must praise the rear seats of the B-Class, which will accommodate two adults without problem, offering good space for both legs and head; on the other hand, and as is usual, the central seat is relegated either to the smallest passengers or to a short journey.

Last but not least, there are the 430 litres of boot space claimed by the German, a capacity more than sufficient to carry our belongings. That figure can rise to 1,515 litres should we fold down all the seats.

A frugal performer like few others

But what does the Mercedes B-Class offer when we take the wheel? To answer this question I must first introduce you to what powers the unit that accompanied me for a week. Behind the 200d badge we find a four-cylinder diesel engine capable of delivering 150 CV and 320 Nm of torque, figures managed by an 8G-DCT automatic dual-clutch gearbox.

The engine, like any good diesel, stands out for its almost immediate delivery of torque from very low revs. This is because the 320 Nm arrive all at once at just 1,400 rpm, allowing quick and effective acceleration and merging. On the other hand, it is at the top of the rev counter where the B-Class feels most spent, the point at which the 150 CV try to give a final push without much vigour.

But I do not want you to misunderstand me, as the performance of the 200d variant of the German MPV is more than sufficient to cover both urban journeys and motorway driving. The eight-speed automatic gearbox also helps in this regard, behaving cleanly and smoothly except when we resort to sequential mode, where gear changes are slightly slower and more abrupt.

The steering is light and low in weight, ideal traits for facing the urban world but lacking in other settings, as they leave the driver with an imprecise feel for what is happening on the road surface. This dual nature is also present in the suspension, whose soft, spongy calibration helps us barely feel potholes and speed bumps, but causes pronounced body roll between one bend and the next.

Although the B-Class is an urbanite par excellence thanks to its endless driving aids, its calm character and consumption figures we will rarely see exceed 7.4 litres per 100 km, it also proves an ideal candidate for tackling long journeys. I was able to verify this first-hand after completing our usual Madrid-Galicia-Madrid route during the test period.

And the truth is that travelling at the wheel of the Mercedes B-Class is child’s play thanks to its latent MPV essence. The soft suspension is the perfect ally for overcoming motorway imperfections with ease, and its advanced technology will look after us at all times. But the most notable thing of all is the B200d’s ability to deliver an average consumption of just 5 litres.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the compact MPV segment survives thanks to a few loyal faithfuls such as the Mercedes B-Class. If you are looking for an alternative to SUVs that still offers a somewhat greater ground clearance than a compact and more generous space, the German MPV may be one of the most interesting options.

The 200d variant of the B-Class also makes a great deal of sense given that it offers more than sufficient performance for everyday use and negligible consumption. The technological level with which the star brand has equipped its small MPV may also be another incentive, though we must not forget its improvable level of finish.

And here lies one of the main drawbacks of the B-Class, finishes that do not match a car whose base price is 34,995 euros. Although if we want to acquire a vehicle similar to the one we are dealing with today, we must be aware that this will be the price to pay, since the alternatives are limited to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, whose starting price is 31,150 euros.