Mercedes-Benz B180 CDi

Mercedes-Benzs are like buses. Having never driven one, I’ve now driven two within two weeks of each other. The first was a Sprinter minibus, an entirely new experience though not the benchmark in driver dynamic by any measure. I was hoping for better when I got my hand on another Mercedes key (which looks more like a USB stick). Perhaps not a C63 AMG as much as I’d like to try one but something relatively exciting at least.

Clashing face

 Peeking outside I was greeted with a B180 CDi. So not the C class coupe I was hoping for. No matter how you look at it, the B-class has a face only a mother could love. Ungainly, busy and unrefined it clashes and crashes together like a laser in a hall of mirrors. Moreover, the B-class has van-like slab sides which combine to make a really rather ugly car. Not offensively ugly to be fair, but ugly all the same. Nonetheless, it was a Mercedes and I was excited to experience it.

Busy sides

Inside, the dashboard is a mix of luxury materials and high build quality combined in a classy design. I particularly liked the triple air vents in the centre of the dash a’la SLS. I gave the dash a knock during my drive to test the plastic quality as I always do and actually hurt my knuckle! This car felt very well screwed together; just as you would expect from a Mercedes. As this is an automatic there was no gearstick. In its place was a hockey puck turn dial which you use to navigate the onboard computer displayed on a colour screen perched on top of the dash. Personally, I thought the screen looked like it was an afterthought but the actual usability was excellent. Navigating the system was intuitive and with Sat-Nav and Bluetooth as standard the equipment levels were generous. The sound system was another nice feature too. The boot was cavernous swallowing an enormous amount of luggage without needing to fold the seats. 

I have no idea what that coffee cup means

All too often with modern cars it seems as though there is no individuality. The B-class throws that rule book out of the window though. A lever on the right of the steering column selects the gears. On the left there was one lever to control the indicators and the windscreen wipers, and a second to control the cruise control. It doesn’t sound much but these changes really did take some getting used to. Each time I accidentally flashed someone rather than spray the screenwash or struggle with finding “Drive” I just smiled to myself. It was great to have something new and different to other cars. Actually the controls weren’t too ungainly and with a bit of practice they were quite straight forward to use. I really liked seeing something new.

Nice place to sit

Once on the go this 110hp 1.5 diesel engine gave plenty of punch with the automatic gearbox changing seamlessly. Occasionally it would bog down when pulling out on to a roundabout but that can be overcome by building the revs slowly rather than just putting your foot down. Two paddles behind the steering wheel can be used to manually change gear but I wouldn’t bother wasting your time. Whilst the change was quite quick, it wouldn’t do it exactly when you wanted to and anyway, this wasn’t a car to hustle. Whilst the steering had a nice weight and feel, giving good feedback through the leather-clad steering wheel, this car wasn’t an engaging drive. The ride was very soft and comfortable, but the bulk of the car is easily felt on B-roads. Motorways and A-roads are where it feels at home. This isn’t a car for the budding racing driver. That raises the question though; what is this car for?

Practical, if not exciting

 That’s a question I struggled to answer. It looks like a people carrier but only has five seats. So effectively it is an estate car, but the added height and bulk which makes it like an MPV mean it doesn’t drive anywhere near as well as an estate should. Looking at the Mercedes range the nearest estate car is the C-class which is almost £5,000 more. I can only think it is for practical reasons that it has been designed this way but a Mercedes Benz without kerb appeal is like a Belgian bun without a cherry.

Certainly for the discerning buyer, this would make a practical and luxury family car provided you can get past the ungainly looks.