2006 Mercedes b200 Review

Specifications

Happy to Say, “Not Available in the U.S.A.” 

Plastic wheel covers over steel wheels; cloth seats (non-heated, non-power); no sunroof; 134-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 136 lb-ft of torque; 5-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive; 0 to 60 mph in 10.2 seconds; an AM/FM radio with a single in-dash CD player; no tilt or telescopic steering column; manual tint rearview mirror; non-lit vanity mirrors; any guess which car Im talking about? A Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda or Toyota compact? No, while such features, or lack thereof, would seem to fit if it were a base-trim compact model sold by any of these brands, all of the above would deliver more power and be much quicker off the line. Each entry-level brand compact model would also cost about half as much as Mercedes B200, which starts at a staggering $30,950.

Before you lose your shorts, this is Canadian money were talking about here - the U.S. equivalet would roughly be $27K. The B200, fortunately, is not offered in the U.S., but that didnt stop us from finding out what were missing. Answer in short? Not much.

Of course, none of the above-mentioned Japanese and Korean cars feature that revered three-pointed star front and rear, easily worth $5 Gs alone, and none come standard with eight air bags (although the Honda and Kia have six), electronic cruise control, a tire puncture warning system, automatically heated dual power mirrors, halogen fog lamps, cloth covered A-pillars and Mercedes SmartKey system.

Some other items that come standard on the B-Class, which may or may not be offered on similarly sized compact cars from Korean or Japanese entry-level brands, include power windows with one-touch express-up and down, air conditioning, neutral-tinted glass, 16-inch wheels with 205/55R16 front and rear tires, a folding rear center armrest with enclosed storage and dual cupholders, and a front center armrest with dual enclosed and illuminated storage compartments.

Thats a lot of stuff, and if offered with any one of the entry-level brands mentioned would probably up the price close to $20,000 CAD ($17,300 USD). I suppose if you compared it to a compact model that is sized about the same as the B200, at least in width, height and wheelbase, say the new Mazda5, which is probably unfair because the Japanese equivalent offers an extra row and with it another seat, more cargo capacity, an additional 23 horsepower and 12 lb-ft of torque, tilt and telescopic steering and other goodies, but, other than these items and again the difference in length, its probably the closest in purpose to M-Bs people hauler, so it will have to serve as a comparison. That Mazda, by the way, starts at $19,995 CAD ($17,435 USD) in base trim but costs $22,795 ($18,950 USD) when outfitted to match similar features as on the B200. Even loaded with an automatic transmission, automatic climate control and metallic paint - the latter a $195 CAD ($170 USD) option (no-cost option in U.S.-spec car) with the Mazda5 and, ahem, $890 CAD ($770 USD) option with the B-Class - the Mazda5 only costs $25,000 CAD ($24,405 USD but fully-loaded U.S.-spec Mazda5s also include a navigation system, DVD entertainment system, and much more) which makes the price of stepping up to a three-pointed star closer to $6,000 CAD ($5,200 USD) than $5,000 CAD ($4,350 USD). But to some people it will be worth it.

Of course, if we were truly comparing apples to apples wed have to add a few options to the Mercedes to bring it up to the Mazdas equipment level, such as that metallic paint I mentioned a minute ago… oh, and aluminum wheels, for instance. To do the latter youd have to opt for the $1,200 CAD ($1,050 USD) Premium Package, which unfortunately would only add 16-inch alloy wheels to the B200 instead of 17s which come in the top-line Mazda5 (you can get 17-inch rims as a $1,315 CAD ($1,150 USD) option when you buck up for the much more expensive B200 Turbo), but you would get additional chrome trim on the radiator grille, bumpers, fog lamp surrounds, door handles and shoulder line, which would probably look out of place on the Mazda5 anyway.

The Premium Package includes other items too, such as exterior color rub strips and door handles, a polished oval stainless steel exhaust tip, high-gloss trim on centre pillar and those heated front seats that should really be standard on a $31K CAD ($27K USD) car anyway, dont you think? Of course, with such features added the B200 now costs $33,040 (close to $29,000 USD). Add on a few other items to the B200 that come with the top-line Mazda, such as illuminated vanity mirrors, $340 CAD ($285 USD), a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, $375 CAD ($325 USD), and a manually adjustable four-way tilt and telescoping steering column, $235 CAD ($205 USD), and the price of the B200 climbs to $33,990 CAD (almost $30,000 USD). Ouch! The apples to apples price of that underpowered three-pointed star has just escalated to $8,990 CAD ($7,800 USD). But, I suppose there are some that will still find the upgrade to German sophistication worth every penny.

After all, its switchgear is much the same as that in other more expensive Mercedes-Benz models, very nice indeed. Of course, the Mazdas fit and finish and plastics quality is also very good. Speaking of plastics quality, other than the dash-top, which is quite high-grade, all are semi-soft-touch, similar to those used in Toyotas new RAV4 or Hondas Civic. I think where the Mercedes shines is with its center stack, which is
every bit as fine as that in a C-Class, incorporating the same audio
and HVAC systems as in larger, more expensive Mercedes models. The
rubberized buttons on the steering wheel are also high-grade. Very
nice.

All controls are backlit too, including those that work the sunroof attached to the overhead console, plus the steering wheel-mounted buttons. The light switches on that upper console were a bit wiggly, not fitting flushly either, but such is a minor point.

I like the mesh pocket attached to the passenger side console, plus the large door pockets that integrate convenient fitted water bottle holders. My tester had an ashtray included, which is nothing more than a lidded cup designed to fit into the foremost cupholder. Being that I dont smoke, I immediately tossed it into that mesh holder I just mentioned, and popped in a cup of fruit salad (dont ask). While the cup fit in easily, I could tell this would be an awkward place to grapple with a beverage cup while driving, no doubt, exacerbated with the optional CVT automatic.

The seats are also good, offering a ton of rearward movement that should please tall drivers, but their do-it-yourself adjustment means that youll be cranking for a month of Sundays before lying flat in either of the two front buckets. Why would you want to do that anyway? Well, I have to admit that I dont often want to lie down while in the drivers seat, but it just so happened that I missed the three oclock ferry on my way to one of the gulf islands in the northwest and had to wait until five before the next one arrived - ideal cat nap opportunity. After about five turns on the rotating dial I gave up - what a pain. On the positive you can select the perfect seatback rake for the optimal driving position, as its adjustment is infinite. On that note the seats are comfortable, although not necessarily more than an everyday Toyota or Honda.

How about ride and handling? The B200 is very agile, which should be expected considering its a fairly lightweight five-door hatchback. Most in this category are also quite “tossable” in the curves, and in this respect the B200 doesnt disappoint. At extremely high speed it gets a little twitchy, but then this isnt an SL is it? Whether or not the B200 is any more stable or agile than our comparison subject model, the Mazda5, is difficult to say being that I havent got one on hand to compare side-by-side, all I can remember is that the little Mazda was surprisingly fun to drive at high speeds, quite capable in the corners, and a joy to row through the gears. On that last note, I feel safe committing to a fairly clear memory confirming that the Mazda5s manual transmission felt a lot more precise when moving through its gate. The B200s manual works well, but doesnt feel particularly inspiring during shifts. Its a bit cheap feeling, hard to describe really. Its more like manuals that were around when I was a kid; mechanical feeling without the fluid movement of modern-day gearboxes.

One thing I have to admit to, mind you, is that the B200 feels pretty snappy for only having 134-horsepower under the hood. I enjoyed zipping around town in it, and especially appreciated its highway pace when late for that ferry ride which would get me across the straight to see my daughters karate class perform. Despite sitting up quite high compared to similarly sized hatchbacks, it handled fairly well, if not particularly inspired, and its ride quality, while a little on the rough side, was no worse than the Mazda5s. Really, its a nice little compact car that I would recommend if not for the ridiculous price.

And compared to what it would cost you to get into a B200 in Germany, E24,766 (euros), the equivalent of $33,874 CAD ($29,500 USD), the Canadian-spec version seems like a good deal, that is until factoring in that a German C230 starts at E32,248, or $44,067 CAD ($38,300 USD), a model that starts at $38,450 CAD ($33,400 USD) in Canada. In other words, all cars cost more in Germany than in Canada or  in the U.S., a scenario that plays out the same throughout all of Europe for that matter. Making this point even clearer is the reality that the Mercedes-Benz badge isnt honored with the same reverence in Europe, Africa or just about anywhere else as it is here in North America. It certainly is respected, but being that subcompact models join minivans and midsize taxicabs, pale yellow diesel-powered E-Class sedans being the most common cars for hire in the Fatherland, along with countless commercial vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz brand is more commonplace and therefore a little five-door hatchback fits in quite well. 

In Canada, just like in the U.S. (outside of Beverly Hills), theMercedes-Benz brand is anything but commonplace, although the base B200 does a pretty good job of making it seem so. Without all the trimmings its a rather rudimentary vehicle, and as Ive been trying to point out, a rather high priced one at that. I think the only B200 that makes sense, is one that is dolled out in many more features than my entry-level tester came equipped with. While the price can move skyward in a hurry, increasing by $1,481 CAD ($1,300 USD) when the dealer-installed Styling Package is added (price doesnt include the cost of installation by the way), which includes a front spoiler, rear apron, and roof spoiler lips. After that the Vision and Light Package is added at $1,270 CAD ($1,100 USD), which adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain sensor wipers, automatic exterior light activation, headlamp switch off delay, locator lighting, a bulb failure indicator, and fail safe lighting.

Additional stand-alone options can include 10-way front seats with power height and recline at $1,590 CAD (almost $1,400 USD), Mercedes own COMAND-DVD in-dash navigation system at $3,685 CAD ($3,200 USD) (thats a pricy nav system), a Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 digital surround sound system at $1,490 CAD ($1,300 USD), heated front seats at $750 CAD ($650 USD), which just happen to be included at no extra charge when the 10-way power seats are chosen, a dealer-installed iPod integration kit at $330 CAD ($285 USD) (not including the price of installation), Myrte wood trim at $450 CAD ($390 USD), a storage net on each front seatback for $85 CAD ($75 USD), bi-Xenon headlamps with active curve illumination system at $1,945 CAD ($1,700 USD), a dealer-installed chrome trim panel and fog light housing at $269 CAD ($235 USD) (not including the price of installation), a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) at $1,500 CAD ($1,300 USD), heated windshield washer system at $330 CAD ($285 USD), panorama louvered glass sunroof at $1,600 CAD ($1,400 USD), dealer-installed roof rack at $364 CAD ($315 USD) (not including the price of installation), and theft alarm system at $1,000 CAD ($870 USD). Amazingly enough you can get cloth and synthetic leather seats and door trim for $500 CAD ($435 USD), but leather isnt even optional unless you buck up for the more powerful $34,950 CAD ($30,400 USD) B200 Turbo, meaning if you are choosing optimal fuel economy and environmental friendliness you cant enjoy high-level luxury at the same time.

That last point kind of destroys my argument that the B200 is a better deal when fully loaded, which incidentally raises the price of entry by $20,929 CAD (almost $18,200 USD) to a grand total of $51,879 CAD ($45,100 USD)! WHAT!!!??? More than for… fort… forty-five grand U.S. for a compact four-cylinder hatchback!? And remember, we havent even included the upgraded 193-horsepower engine for this price (which totals $58,284 CAD ($50,700 USD) when all the options are added on), and leather isnt part of the package either. What can you buy for $52K CAD ($45K USD), let alone $58,000 CAD ($50K-plus USD) and change (plus the unknown price of all the dealer-installed options included in this total)? Acura, BMW, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover… let me count the luxury crossovers and SUVs on both hands.

Oh yes, but there I go again completely missing Mercedes point. The B200 is about fuel conscious luxury, not irresponsible gas guzzling opulence. And other than the lack of those leather seats… oh, and no available DVD-entertainment system…. its a pretty well equipped little luxo-hauler.

Would I recommend it? Not a chance, but then again Im a pragmatic that believes a product needs to stand up to all competitors on a dollar for dollar basis and not merely rely on its premium badge for acceptance into the best-buy club. The only way the B200 would be a good deal is if its residual (resale) value was so high after three years that it only cost a few thousand to own, and while Mercedes-Benz products rate higher than most in this department, only time will tell if the automakers least expensive model will miraculously only lose three to four percent in value per year. More likely, it will lose about 10 percent per year, for a total of thirty (but this is just speculation).

So, for Canadians who only have $31,000 CAD ($27K USD) to spend and really have to have a Mercedes-Benz, this is their car. All I can say here is that Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. was smart in opting against the B-Class when the opportunity to do so arrived. Rather, were better served with the C230, or for those wanting a little more room in back,  Volvos extremely capable V50. It is eons better looking, quicker, more nimble and about as roomy as the B200, for about the same base price.

Most Canadians are an intelligent bunch and dont easily succumb to crafty marketing of intricately spun hyperbole, and therefore wont drop a Kia Rio-sized down-payment on a car that really isnt much better than any other compact hatchback. Reality is that the B200 is an underpowered, under-contented, albeit well-made economy hatchback, plain and simple. If it had a Volkswagen badge on the grille instead of a three-pointed star it wouldnt fetch more than $20K USD in base trim and $30,000 fully loaded.

For less money or similar the list of sport wagons and crossovers is full, some even including premium nameplates such as Audi, with its new 200-hp A3 and once again Volvo with its especially nice V50 - these two are priced slightly higher in base trim but worth every penny in style, interior refinement and standard features. For those Canadians who dont covet the snob-appeal of a top-tier badge, Hyundais new Tucson crossover SUV (or Kias Sportage) would be a better bet. It comes close to equaling the B200 for refinement plus adds standard stability control and ABS for just just under $17,500 USD, a full array of airbags, and a V6, manual-mode shifter, all-wheel drive and leather for much less than the B200s base price. Toyotas Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) would also be a good substitute, and even more substantial is the Japanese automakers new RAV4, that can be optioned out with a 269-horsepower V6 for less money than the little M-Bs base, or if frugality is the reasoning behind looking into the B-Class, a 166-horsepower four-cylinder. For me, Toyotas Prius or Hondas Civic Hybrid are better cars that offer much better fuel economy, lower emissions, higher build quality, more style (that last point might be a personal one with regards to the Prius) and, once again, requiring less money. They will also get you more street respect among those also doing their part to reduce noxious emissions.

I know its difficult to surmise how I truly feel about this car (tongue firmly in cheek), but my willingness to commend Mercedes-Benz USA for not bringing it stateside has nothing to do with its capability as a car. Money aside, its a nice little hatchback that is enjoyable to drive and quite accommodating. Unfortunately, however, money is a very real determinant in the B200s case, and while Mercedes-Benz builds some superb automobiles that deliver reasonable value, this one is simply priced much too high for what is being offered.

In the end, the problem doesnt lie with Mercedes nor its new B200, but more so in that new compact models from Japan and Korea are so good, with exterior panel fit so tight, paint quality so high, interior plastics so rich for the money, switchgear featuring close to zero tolerance levels, features so healthy, drivetrains so refined and powerful and suspension systems so advanced, that a compact premium model has to offer much more than merely a namebrand in order to justify its existance. Truly, the B200 should come with much of its optional equipment standard in order to make up for its premium pricetag and give the occupants any sort of premium experience. The base B200 doesnt deliver much of what is expected in a modern Mercedes-Benz, unfortunately, and therefore left anyone I showed it to miffed as to why theyd consider buying it. I am solidly in that camp too.

So, consider yourselves lucky that the B200 and B200 Turbo arent offered in the U.S., and if anyone in MBUSA is thinking otherwise, wake up. This car doesnt have a chance.