The term “Mom’s car” is one that irks me to no end. Not only does it exclude dads and childless people, but it also comes with such negative connotations. It’s saying that a car is not particularly sexy (another term I hate using for a car), that it is only for practical purposes and that no one without children would ever want to drive it.
The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class, although aimed at families, is not just another ‘Parent’s car” (I think I should trademark that term, it is so inclusive and less negative). It is a car that doesn’t require kids in order to own it.
IT’S NOT JUST FOR FAMILIES
Do you love the Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Well this new B-Class has the same underpinnings as that sporty hatchback. It is just a bit more practical. The fresh design of the new B-Class also means it will certainly appeal to those looking for a car that can be both practical and elegant at the same time.
It even shares the optional Multibeam LED headlamps that were debuted in the A-Class. These sporty lamps allow fast, electronically controlled adjustment to suit traffic conditions. One cannot deny that Mercedes-Benz has managed to move the B-Class as far away from traditional MPV styling as is possible. I don’t look at this car and only see a bunch of kids fighting in the back, I see a fabulous weekend away with my husband sans kids. Or just me, sans husband for that matter, cruising to meetings in style. I would look like I run my own company don’t you think? A high-powered career woman! Ok, I am going off point, but you get my point, right?
SPACE IS ALSO FOR SINGLES
If you have read any of my other reviews, especially the ones that involve a road trip, you will know that I pack like a person possessed. For reasons I cannot explain, I can never only have one suitcase. I have tried!
It is for this exact reason I need a car with space when planning a weekend away. No one is even allowed to get a lift with us because, well, because there just won’t be space for them and their luggage. In other words, I hog the whole car. There is definitely no space for kids in my car!
With all the seats folded down in the new B-Class, which folds flat I must add (a must in my opinion), you get 1 540-litres of space. That will do, I say! And if I am forced to accommodate another person, the seats do fold in a 40:20:40 split so they might just be lucky enough to sit on a seat next to all my luggage.
The optional Easy-Pack tailgate with Hands-Free Access is not just for “Moms who have their hands full,” no, it is for people like me who tend to want to carry everything in one trip from my house to the car. I don’t want to walk back up the stairs a second time, so being able to just swipe my foot under the boot and for it to Open Sesame, is ideal!
MY OWN PERSONAL ASSISTANT
As a budding career woman (don’t laugh) who cannot afford an assistant but wants to pretend like she has one (again, don’t laugh), the new B-Class could be more than just a car for me. Woah, that is a bold statement, hey?! But hear me out. Like the new A-Class, the B-Class features the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence it learns about you and so customises and adapts to you. WTF? Cars are becoming people, it is creepy but wonderful. So if I just say something like, “Hey Mercedes, I am bored,” the system will play one of my favourite upbeat songs. Without me telling it which song to play, it will just know! If I am cold it will set the car to my perfect temperature, or if I am hungry it will show me the route to my favourite restaurant. You see, my own personal assistant!
SPEEDY GONZALES
I am not going to pretend like this is some kind of performance car, but what I do like is the fact that with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 110 kW and 320 Nm, one can have a bit of fun without having to worry about anyone else in the car i.e. kids. And the best part is that you’ll save money to buy things for yourself because the fuel consumption is at a claimed low of 4.5l/100 km.
If petrol is more your vibe, you do have a choice of the B200 which boasts a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine with 120 kW and 250 Nm. That fuel consumption is slightly higher at 5.7l/100 km though. But it will get you to 100 km/h in a claimed 8.2 seconds, the diesel will take 8.3 seconds. So either way, you’ll be having some fun robot to robot.
PRICING OF THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS
Without the added costs that kids bring in to your life, you’ll be able to afford the new B-Class. Well, I couldn’t, but that’s because I chose a profession like journalism. What was I thinking?
Mercedes-Benz B200: R526 900
Mercedes-Benz B200d: R559 100
The new B-Class is stylish in more ways than one. It offers elegance as well as practicality. And while it is an ideal family car, it is also more than that. We all live fast, active, busy lives and a car that can keep up with that is a car I would happily drive every day…enjoying the peace and quiet of my own company.
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