The Mercedes Benz B-Class

**Tideland Prius** · 10-11-2005, 10:15 PM

First of all, I'd like to applaud Mercedes Benz for bring a compact, practical wagonish/hatchbackish vehicle to the "premium" market. Second of all, I'd like to reprimand them for not bringing the A-Class over.

So, apparently the B-Class is as small as we get... for now. The price is fairly attractive at $30,950 starting price (for comparison, the Prius starts at $30,700). For this you get.... well, nothing really. If you guys thought Toyota was being cheap with the 4-way adjustable front seats, apparently Mercedes went that route too with the B-Class. Other features worth mentioning only include automatic climate control, 8 airbags and foglights. They have a "SmartKey System" which, no doubt, was copied off Toyota with the exception that SmartKey is one word and I've yet to confirm whether it's keyless entry or some marketing name.

Visually, it's ok... only if you look at it from the back. The 16" steel wheels seem more ugly than those on the C-Class and the black handles don't help either. A "Chrome Package" upgrade might be worth the money. As for interior upholstery, you get a choice of cloth (which looks like a cloth/vinyl, oh I'm sorry, leatherette combo) or a $500 option which gets you a cloth/synthetic leather option (according to the picture, that means more cloth area on the seated area and i guess the sides are replaced with synthetic leather)

My biggest gripe? Why the hell is a CVT option nearly $2,000?!?!?! Oh, and they charge you $85 for front seatback netting.

This B-Class is starting to make the A3 look better equipped. That and the A3 has a DSG transmission.

Either way, the problem with these premium manufacturers offering cheaper products is that they have no experience and the only way is to cut down on equipment. However, for other companies moving up, they already know how to make something inexpensive feel more expensive and hence can spend the money on better equipping a vehicle

Anyway, that's the end of my rant. I don't expect anyone to reply to this anyway

10-11-2005, 10:15 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,406 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 215 Thanked 326 Times in 227 Posts Friends: 22	First of all, I'd like to applaud Mercedes Benz for bring a compact, practical wagonish/hatchbackish vehicle to the "premium" market. Second of all, I'd like to reprimand them for not bringing the A-Class over. So, apparently the B-Class is as small as we get... for now. The price is fairly attractive at $30,950 starting price (for comparison, the Prius starts at $30,700). For this you get.... well, nothing really. If you guys thought Toyota was being cheap with the 4-way adjustable front seats, apparently Mercedes went that route too with the B-Class. Other features worth mentioning only include automatic climate control, 8 airbags and foglights. They have a "SmartKey System" which, no doubt, was copied off Toyota with the exception that SmartKey is one word and I've yet to confirm whether it's keyless entry or some marketing name. Visually, it's ok... only if you look at it from the back. The 16" steel wheels seem more ugly than those on the C-Class and the black handles don't help either. A "Chrome Package" upgrade might be worth the money. As for interior upholstery, you get a choice of cloth (which looks like a cloth/vinyl, oh I'm sorry, leatherette combo) or a $500 option which gets you a cloth/synthetic leather option (according to the picture, that means more cloth area on the seated area and i guess the sides are replaced with synthetic leather) My biggest gripe? Why the hell is a CVT option nearly $2,000?!?!?! Oh, and they charge you $85 for front seatback netting. This B-Class is starting to make the A3 look better equipped. That and the A3 has a DSG transmission. Either way, the problem with these premium manufacturers offering cheaper products is that they have no experience and the only way is to cut down on equipment. However, for other companies moving up, they already know how to make something inexpensive feel more expensive and hence can spend the money on better equipping a vehicle Anyway, that's the end of my rant. I don't expect anyone to reply to this anyway __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

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