Topic: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

[Autos_Editor]

It may look familiar, but the 2013 B-Class is a completely new car, says Greg Wilson.  It arrives in late 2012.

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[tazcubed]

It may resemble the old B-Class, but it looks more like a Toyota Matrix. It would be easy to mistake what it is if you covered the front grill and the rear tail lights. It's a year off from making it to our shores, and the lack of a Canadian announcement on details truly makes this irrelevant. Hopefully, somewhere in their logic they'll include the diesel to come to Canada.

[tpl]

I will put a turbo model with the sport package on my cross shop list for 2013. I doubt it will cost much more than a loaded Golf GTI or even a Golf R

[davidgm]

Your review is the best I read: that's why your site is my favorite automotive site. You are the first to clearly explain and illustrate the new transmission. I deplore the adsence of manual transmission. The car is interesting, but many potential buyers may prefer a vehicule like the CRV in this side of the Atlantic. Watch the price and the frequency of repair record.

David

[JRM]

It reminds me a lot of the previous gen Kia Rio in profile, C pillar especially.  What's with these silly looking "flowing" curved creases and lines.  First Hyundai, then Mazda5 and now this.  I sure hope it doesn't spread to other makes and models.  Not to say that curves don't have their place, but please not on automobiles.

[hemusbull]

Even that this vehicle is too much irrelevant to Canadian market now, there are few things I personaly don't accept. Both the pop up front seat back's cupholders and GPS display are not solid built, especially considering it's a Mercedes!. At least Germans began to build real cupholders between front seats (do you remember old BMW3 or Golfs?).

[tpl]

Why is this vehicle irrelevant to the Canadian market?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This B-Class was up in my top 3 consideration list until I learned the new one won't be offered with manual transmission. Otherwise I really, really like the thing, and the styling is a huge improvement IMO - even like that blue colour of the tester. Had cross-shopped the current B last time around.

Now I have to hold out hope for a CX-5 Sky-D manual, Tiguan/Golf Plus TDI manual, Ford C-Max Hybrid, or similar. If a B-Bluetec arrives I'd still consider it because the package appears so well thought-out (tho I'd still prefer a real spare tire).

Did learn quite a bit from the article, which was well written and comprehensive except would say it's priced more like low to high $30's and expect the new one to range higher. The B sells well (despite looks), so to have it absent from dealerships for a good 6-7 months or whatever must hurt.

[quadzilla]

I'm liking the looks of this and would easily add it to my shopping list when we decide to move on from the GTi. Maybe by then, they will have the diesel engine available.

[ArtW]

Personal opinion: this is probably the biggest mistake Mercedes made. With its FWD it's not a real Mercedes. Maybe they should sell it as (notso)Smart brand. It is disproportionate and ugly as the previous (current if you want) model (even though it is far from making into the top fugly). Matrix is better looking by far (and I don't really like that either). It puts a dent in the Mercedes brand.

[Spec5]

You're all wrong - looks like a Dodge Journey.

Must agree with David. This is the best review I've read in a while on this site. That's not a knock against the other authors - its just that good.

[safristi]

..good review nice pics.............How much are we paying EXTRA for the 3 POINTED STAR................i'm guessing $5K Plus versus next years competition...How may will ante up..wait and see...........

[SaskSpecV]

You're all wrong - looks like a Dodge Journey.

Must agree with David. This is the best review I've read in a while on this site. That's not a knock against the other authors - its just that good.

Yes, a very good review - for the limitations that were imposed on the reviewer.  Those limitations? 
- Not knowing what the engine will be (or ANYTHING to do with possible specs - HP, TQ, milage, etc).  A 150 hp B-class would be a very different drive than a 240 hp B-class.
- Not knowing the pricing structure (could be a big difference between "starts in high 20s to low 30s" and the final price with options - I'm betting it will easily crack 40K with all the safety/sports packages)
- Not knowing the packaging options in the Canadian market (standard vs optional equipment?)

The description of the 7-speed tranny and the cargo packaging were excellent.  It seems to me that Mercedes wanted to build extra buzz for this model in NA, why else would they be bringing NA journalists it off more than a year before it is available here?  I get it, released in Europe first - so demonstrate it to European reviewers.  Wait for the NA press event until you have some idea of what the NA specs will be!  But I guess they need a full year to begin marketing a new vehicle in the States.  I really like the new looks, and especially the versatile cargo/seating arrangement.  But I'm with SirA - without a MT, not on my list either.

[Blueprint]

No MT is a major mistake and will take the car off my list ... I looked at it in 2008, but we had seatbelt / car seat issues when fitting the kids.

You should see the comments on this car in American blogs ... so much hate ...  these guys really need 5$ a gallon gas to see the light.

[flowave]

So, i wasn't the only one who thought it awfully looks like previous gen matrix.

Especially the Front headlamp opening and side profile.

They shouldn't have done the side swoop. That would been much better making people focus on the other features.

[JSCC]

2012 Fall? Maybe MB Canada wants to release the hatch, sedan and SUV at the same time.

[tazcubed]

Why is this vehicle irrelevant to the Canadian market?

TPL,

If you're wondering what exactly I meant, it's an irrelevant review because what european manufacturers bring across is usually significantly different than what they keep at home, and there's nothing mentioned about how they'd content the car coming into the Canadian market. The vehicle isn't irrelevant, just the review - review it once you have one fitted for our market as others have written likewise. If you're referring to hemusbull's quote, I've got no clue - this vehicle is actually quite relevant and more of it's kind are coming (Mazda 5 is already here, and Ford is planning one, and I'm sure there's others).  I think he's inferring it's not a "real Mercedes" because the cup holders don't hold his coffee sufficiently...but he's unclear.

[PJ]

Personal opinion: this is probably the biggest mistake Mercedes made. With its FWD it's not a real Mercedes. Maybe they should sell it as (notso)Smart brand. It is disproportionate and ugly as the previous (current if you want) model (even though it is far from making into the top fugly). Matrix is better looking by far (and I don't really like that either). It puts a dent in the Mercedes brand.

I know it's just your opinion but I fail to see how being FWD means it's not a real Mercedes?  Other then snob appeal of rwd being somehow better then fwd drive I see no downside in this class of car.

[tpl]

Why is this vehicle irrelevant to the Canadian market?

TPL,

If you're wondering what exactly I meant, it's an irrelevant review because what european manufacturers bring across is usually significantly different than what they keep at home, and there's nothing mentioned about how they'd content the car coming into the Canadian market. The vehicle isn't irrelevant, just the review - review it once you have one fitted for our market as others have written likewise. If you're referring to hemusbull's quote, I've got no clue - this vehicle is actually quite relevant and more of it's kind are coming (Mazda 5 is already here, and Ford is planning one, and I'm sure there's others).  I think he's inferring it's not a "real Mercedes" because the cup holders don't hold his coffee sufficiently...but he's unclear.

I was referring to Hemusbull's remark.      For myself I think it is a good car for Canada and I will be looking carefully at it in 2013

[chrischasescars]

You're all wrong - looks like a Dodge Journey.

Must agree with David. This is the best review I've read in a while on this site. That's not a knock against the other authors - its just that good.

Yes, a very good review - for the limitations that were imposed on the reviewer.  Those limitations? 
- Not knowing what the engine will be (or ANYTHING to do with possible specs - HP, TQ, milage, etc).  A 150 hp B-class would be a very different drive than a 240 hp B-class.
- Not knowing the pricing structure (could be a big difference between "starts in high 20s to low 30s" and the final price with options - I'm betting it will easily crack 40K with all the safety/sports packages)
- Not knowing the packaging options in the Canadian market (standard vs optional equipment?)

The description of the 7-speed tranny and the cargo packaging were excellent.  It seems to me that Mercedes wanted to build extra buzz for this model in NA, why else would they be bringing NA journalists it off more than a year before it is available here?  I get it, released in Europe first - so demonstrate it to European reviewers.  Wait for the NA press event until you have some idea of what the NA specs will be!  But I guess they need a full year to begin marketing a new vehicle in the States.  I really like the new looks, and especially the versatile cargo/seating arrangement.  But I'm with SirA - without a MT, not on my list either.

This review is based on what we call a "long lead" event. It's all about building buzz. Benz will do another drive event in North America (the "short lead" preview) sometime within a few weeks of the car's on-sale date here, and then, whoever writes that review will be able to talk specifics about the engine and pricing.