Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £18,424 to £22,070
Roomy, reasonably practical and usefully family-sized; excellent crash protection; fuel-saving stop-start tech in some models; optional auto-parking system
Expensive; not especially refined; uninspiring to drive; awkward styling; cheap-feeling cabin
The Mercedes badge is about all the B-Class has to distinguish itself from its opposition; there are numerous more accomplished all-rounders now on the market.
Parts prices and labour charges will be more expensive at Mercedes dealers than at mainstream franchises; insurance will be dearer than for workday Fords and Vauxhalls, as well.
Figures aren't out yet for the Blue Efficiency stop-start models, but the conventional B150 returns a decent 42.8mpg (manual) or 40.9mpg (Autotronic), with carbon dioxide emissions from 158-163g/km (manual) or 166-171g/km (Autotronic) depending on wheel/tyre choices. The B170 returns 41.5mpg and 163-171g/km (manual) or 39.8mpg and 171-175g/km (Autotronic). Not bad for a car of this size and weight, but watch out for the higher tax bandings with some options.
The diesels aren't especially economical or low-emissions: the B180 CDI gives 54.3mpg and 137-140g/km (manual) or 50.4mpg and 148-158g/km (Autotronic) and the B200 CDI 52.3mpg and 140-148g/km (manual) or 47.1mpg and 159-165g/km (Autotronic). There is no emissions/economy-optimised 'FE' variant planned for the imminent future, as with the A-Class range.
