The clock is on the Mercedes B-Class, with the company confirming that its premium five-seat MPV won't be replaced once production of the current generation ends. However, that hasn't prevented Merc from boosting the car's appeal with this mid-life update.
Much like the updated A-Class (driven in Issue 1,773), the B-Class benefits from a subtle exterior facelift that now includes adaptive LED headlights on all versions, but the big changes are reserved for the interior.
Recycled materials have been incorporated into the cabin's construction, but you'd be hard pressed to tell where they've been used, because the B-Class remains a premium product that features plenty of soft-touch materials and Merc's upmarket metal switchgear. There are hard plastics for the lower door trims, but overall this is a pleasant place to spend time.
In fact, if you've spent time at the wheel of an A-Class, then the B-Class will be very familiar, because the layout is all but identical. The only real clue that you're driving the MPV is the taller roofline and bigger glass area. The round of updates mean that the B-Class also benefits from the latest twin 10.25-inch displays, which offer crystal-clear, high-resolution graphics and plenty of functionality.
While most of these are reserved for the central touchscreen, the B-Class retains its bank of air-con controls below the trio of central air vents. There is a climate screen within the display itself, but it's nice to have a set of shortcut switches that let you make adjustments on the fly quickly and easily. These rocker switches and buttons have the upmarket feel that we've become familiar with from Mercedes's products, too.
Bu hikaye Auto Express dergisinin April 26, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Auto Express dergisinin April 26, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
PEUGEOT E-2008 GT
Our Peugeot EV and classic BMW may be the perfect two-car garage
SHOW 'N' TELL
Our 2024 Performance Car of the Year, Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N EV, takes on the revamped Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
F1 EXHIBITION IS GO GO GO
Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill shows us around a celebration of the greatest sport on Earth
BYD Dolphin Active
Lower power means a more affordable price, but the new entry-level Dolphin is left wanting in other areas
Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupé
FIRST DRIVE We get behind the wheel of new CLE that aims to offer both comfort and a scincillating driving experience
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Ergonomic improvements are a welcome enhancement to VW's iconic hot hatch, but there's still no manual version
Toyota Prius
FIRST UK DRIVE Toyota's hybrid pioneer finally returns to these shores in fifth-generation guise and exclusively as a plug-in hybrid
INSURANCE SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
INSURANCE FRAUD BUREAU EXPERT GIVES US THE LOWDOWN ON THE LATEST SWINDLES
Honda's updated HR-V sports sharp new look
Brand's best-selling model in Europe has also received some interior revisions and extra safety kit
Audi sets £70k start price for new A6 EV
ORDER books for the new Audi A6 e-tron are open now, with prices from just under £70,000 and deliveries starting next February.