Review: Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012): At A Glance

• Insurance Groups are between 13–21
• On average it achieves 74% of the official MPG figure

What does a Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) cost?

Compare new Mercedes-Benz B-Class deals

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List Price from	£22,725
Buy new from	£19,580
Contract hire from	£279.28 per month

Buy a used Mercedes-Benz B-Class from £7,420

£16,776
2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class B180 Exclusive Edition Plus 5dr

£21,480
2018 Mercedes-Benz B-Class B200 Amg Line Premium Plus 5Dr Auto

£7,420
2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Class B180 Cdi Blueefficiency Sport 5Dr

£20,490
2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class B180 Sport 5Dr Auto

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Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 488–1547 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The interior is quite versatile. The basic luggage area is rectangular. The rear seats tuck and fold 2/3:1/3. The passenger seatback folds forward onto its squab allowing transportation of objects up to 2,950mm (nine feet) long. My car had the £205 ‘Easy Vario' option of a removable passenger seat and removable rear seat cushions and backrests giving it the capacity of a small van.

For the amount of safety equipment on board it's surprising that the B-Class has not been Euro NCAP tested, though the five stars of its smaller sister, the A-Class, are reassuring.

Child seats that fit a Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

What's the Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) like to drive?

• Engines range from B160 BlueEfficiency to B200 Turbo
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 25–56 mpg

Seat and steering wheel are fully adjustable in all directions. The controls are all quite light, especially the steering (on Michelin Energy 205/55 R16 tyres). The manual B170 petrol comes with a 5-speed box, though most buyers will pay £1,390 extra to get the seven ratio ZF CVT Autotronic also available in the A Class and Ford Focus and C-Max 1.6 TDCIs.

That light feeling translates to the way the car handles. It's effortless, a quality much appreciated and even needed by some drivers. At low speeds the handling is viceless. Though at speed the lightness and lack of ‘feel' conspire with the shape of the body to demand constant attention, especially in crosswinds on the motorway. Ride quality is good and "speed cushions" absorbed reasonably well.

Despite only 116bhp, the optional Speedtronic cruise control works simply and is well worth the extra £205 now that many road works limits are enforced by SPECS average speed cameras. Speedtronic also includes a maximum speed limiter.

I got a very average 34.55mpg measured brim to brim over 222 miles. It's very difficult to get excited about the B-Class. The luggage capacity and practicality are definitely better than a Golf or a Focus, for example, though on a par with a Golf Plus or C-Max. The fact that, like the A-Class, you sit fairly high is a definite bonus in side-impact accidents. The fit and finish is good. Even cubbyholes are properly trimmed. But list prices are very stiff.

Real MPG average for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.

Ask HJ

I'm an international student in Manchester - what will bring my insurance premium down?

I'm a 25 years old, international full-time student in Manchester. I've been in the UK since 2013 and got my driving license in 2011. I was recently offered a 2007 Mercedes-Benz B-Class for £3800. It has 81,000 miles on the clock. I'm looking for cheap insurance to cover the car, what do you recommend?

Your lack of driving history will work against you, so try all the different price comparison websites and then ring up individual brokers and direct insurers to see if you can get a better quote. Also, sticking an older person with more driving experience will bring the premium down, even if they never drive your car. Unfortunately, you will get hit heavily for being a student, and more so being in Manchester. If I was you, especially if it's your first car, I would look at driving something else.

Answered by Tim Kelly

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What Cars Are Similar To The Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)?

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