If you’ve always liked the idea of the Mercedes A-Class but need a little more space for luggage and passengers, well—that’s pretty much the reason the Mercedes B-Class came into existence in the first place. It shares its smaller sibling’s gorgeous interiors and feature-stuffed infotainment system, while offering significantly more head and leg room in the back, as well as a much bigger boot.

The B-Class shares safety technology with Mercedes’ flagship S-Class luxury saloon, which should boost its appeal to families. And its tall, full-figured body offers better accessibility than a conventional low-riding hatchback, making it ideal for fitting child seats and loading luggage.

The B-Class’s engine lineup pretty much mirrors that of the A-Class, ranging from the 1.3L petrol B180 to the 2L diesel B220d, and including the choice of plug-in hybrid power in the form of the B250e. But before we get into the nuts and bolts of the B-Class, let’s check out its key stats.

Equipment, options and extras

The Mercedes B-Class offers three levels of trim. The Sport gets you cruise control, artificial leather seats, 17in alloy wheels, LED headlights and climate control, although it might be worth paying a little extra for the Sport Executive for its smartphone mirroring, power-folding door mirrors, parking aids and bigger infotainment screen.

Top of the range is the AMG Line Executive, which brings a sportier look and larger alloy wheels, and unlocks access to the optional Premium and Premium Plus packages. The Premium package adds ambient interior lighting, keyless entry, an upgraded sound system and larger 10in digital instrument dials, while the Premium Plus means you’ll enjoy electronically adjustable front seats and a panoramic glass roof.

Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2

The Mercedes B-Class is priced in line with its primary competitor, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, but crucially is expected to hold onto its value better—although still nowhere near as well as an equivalent family SUV like the Volvo XC40.

Company car drivers will find the B250e plug-in hybrid particularly appealing because, while it’s the most expensive model in the range, its low CO2 output of just 22g/km means a low BIK tax rating than offered by its conventionally powered rivals.

Safety and security

The experts at Euro NCAP have awarded the Mercedes B-Class five stars out of five for safety. Its key competitors the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Volkswagen Touran achieved the same, but in 2014 and 2015 respectively, when the tests weren’t as stringent as those undergone by the B-Class.

The B-Class stands out for its superior protection of the legs for both the driver and front passenger in the event of a crash. In fact, even its entry-level Sport trim comes with lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking and a driver alertness system as standard.

The Car Planet verdict

The Mercedes B-Class boasts smart interiors, superlative comfort and effortless practicality. It’s well worth checking out if you’re looking for a genuine alternative to the SUV and don’t need seven seats. The pick of the bunch is probably its entry-level B180 petrol in the Sport or Sport Executive trim, but company car drivers will also be interested in the plug-in hybrid B250e.

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