Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI edItion 1

Of all the cars here the B-class is the Only one that does a modicum of justice to the ‘luxury’ tag. It might not tug at your heart strings but if you are thinking straight the B-Class, what with its space, makes a lot of sense. So unlike the others you can fit five in comfort in the B. There’s ample head room. You don’t feel claustrophobic, like you’re stuck in an elevator with 20 strangers, one of whom is picking his nose. This is a sensible small car that still has a cabin befitting the three-pointed star on its nose. You really should buy it.

Or maybe you won’t.
Making it spacious and practical means the B-Class will not win any beauty contests. This is a mini-MPV  and  though it gets many of the A-Class’ visual details there’s no hiding its tall roofline and slab sides.

That  height  ensures you don’t  crawl into the car and  there’s  good visibility so it is easier to drive in traffic. But it also leads to a higher centre of gravity that results in the B not being the sharpest tool with which to carve a mountain road. And of course it gets the same engine as the A-Class which means just  107bhp. Which doesn’t  make for a particularly scintillating turn of speed.

All of which doesn't take away from the fact that the B-Class is the most sensible ‘compact luxury’ car you can buy. The only thing it lacks is some emotion.

Specification
Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI edItion 1
engine  In-line 4-cyl, 2143cc
transmission  7-speed dual clutch automatic
Power  107bhp @ 4400rpm
torque  250Nm @ 1400-2800rpm 
Weight 1565kg
0-100 kmph 10.7 seconds
top speed 190kmph