Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £18,424 to £22,070
Spacious, practical, high driving position, good visibility, quick witted stop/start, economy, huge boot.
Expensive, average to drive, you have to keep your foot on brake to activate the stop/start, dull.
Fuel-saving revisions are welcome, but B-Class continues to trail its competitors on price, drive and ability.
The 2006 B-Class achieved an excellent five-star result in the Euro NCAP crash tests, as did the 2004 A-Class. Both models have a 'sandwich' floor, developed for the engine and transmission to slide underneath, and not into, the cabin in the event of a front-end impact.
This compensates for its relatively short nose and bonnet. The B-Class has also been specifically commended for its side-impact protection, having scored 100% in the side impact tests. Four stars for child protection, too, though just two for pedestrian protection.
New equipment for 2008 includes the hill start assist, brake lights which flash under emergency braking and automatic deployment of interior lighting and hazard flashers in the event of a crash.
All models have stability control, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, Isofix child seat mounting points, active front head restraints and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
