2015 Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI India review, test drive

What’s it like to drive?

You will also notice the badge on the tailgate, which on this diesel car, no longer says 180, but 200 instead. That’s right – Mercedes has swapped the weak old 107bhp version of its 2.1-litre diesel engine for the GLA and CLA’s 134bhp one. You should know, however, that the petrol car will continue with its 121bhp 1.6-litre motor.

It’s a lot sprightlier than the old car, that’s for sure. Not only is the power up by 27bhp, the torque has gone up by a solid 5.1kgm too. It definitely feels quicker off the line than the old car, and even in-gear responses are a lot healthier than before. The 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox, as before, is smooth and quick when you’re cruising calmly, but can get a bit clunky with its shifts when you’re going flat out. Mercedes also claims to have improved the cabin refinement, and while that might be true, we’d really have to drive it alongside the old one to say how much better it is; a fair bit of engine and road noise still comes into the cabin as you speed up.

The ride is where things get interesting. Mercedes has decided not to offer 17-inch wheels on the B-class in India anymore, and certainly not the 18-inch ones we sampled in Spain, so now it only rides on a set of rather tame looking 16-inch wheels. You may also remember that last year, Mercedes revised the suspension of the A-class and B-class for India, raising the ride height and softening it up a bit. There have been no suspension changes for the facelift, but the ride somehow feels a little better than before. Sure, you can tell that this is still inherently a stiff setup, especially when you go over a sharp bump a little too fast and it crashes through, but over most surfaces, it’s quite pliant. It is, of course, still reassuringly flat on the highway, and though this isn’t meant to be a sporty handler, it takes corners quite cleanly and without drama.

Should I buy one?

The B-class, when it was launched, was not just the only luxury hatchback in India, but also the cheapest way to access a luxury badge. Not a long while after, it was neither of those things. Moreover, all of its competition, including and especially other Mercedes cars, has more appeal to the average Indian buyer. The B-class doesn’t have the styling flair of the A-class and CLA, and the GLA SUV – also very stylish - is more practical for our conditions. Yes, this facelift has added a lot more to the B-class package – it now looks and feels more modern and luxurious, the equipment list has grown, and the more powerful engine gives it the oomph it always needed. But think about how it offers a more spacious cabin and a bigger boot than the A-class or the CLA, and then it starts to make more sense. And though the GLA is a bit more practical, the B-class, priced at Rs 28.95 lakh, ex-showroom, Mumbai (Rs 27.95 lakh for the petrol), is still a bit cheaper than it, even with all the new equipment. Sure, it’s not the most obvious choice for the average Indian compact luxury car buyer, but it’s definitely one of the most sensible, and with the facelift, it’s now a much more attractive proposition.

GAVIN D’SOUZA