Road TestCar reviews - Mercedes-Benz - B-Class - B250 4MaticMercedes-Benz modelsOverviewRefreshed Mercedes-Benz B-Class retains relevance despite arrival of sexier siblings28 May 2015 IT IS perhaps ironic that as BMW releases its first front-drive model with the 2 Series Active Tourer, Mercedes-Benz responded by adding drive to the rear wheels of its top-spec B-Class. And it is perhaps strange that BMW is trying to compete with the sensible B-Class when the A-Class hatch, coupe-like CLA sedan (soon to be joined by a shooting brake wagon) and GLA SUV have added a thrusting, youthful yuppie appeal to the lower reaches of the Mercedes-Benz range in recent years. After all, the B-Class and Active Tourer with their tall-boy, practical purpose aesthetics are more hip-replacement than hipster. It’s easy to think of these cars as bigger, premium-branded takes on the Honda Jazz. Although another new player in the tiny category is Citroen’s unique C4 Picasso, which is bringing the fight to the Germans with a $41k starting price and loads of spec. The recent B-Class facelift was pretty minor, but the top-spec B250 model tested – replete with two-tone AMG alloy wheels and bodykit – is more ‘down with the kids’. Quite literally, if you consider its lowered suspension. Combined with the practicality and subtlety of the B-Class, does the addition of AWD elevate the B250 to something of a thinking person’s compact Mercedes? Some images shown in the road test depict the Mercedes-Benz B200, not the B250. Click here for the full review... GalleryClick to see larger images Model release date: 1 March 2015 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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