The B-Class wagon was Mercedes-Benz's first foray into the entry-level luxury class in Canada, and after 2019 that legacy will be all that's left of this little car. Mercedes has announced this will be the B-Class's last year here as the company rolls out the smaller A-Class.
For 2019, the only change is the inclusion in all models of the formerly optional Avantgarde package. With it, all B-Class variants come with blind spot monitoring, automatic climate control, 8.0-inch media display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, power-adjustable front seats with memory and power lumbar support, panoramic sunroof and LED headlights.
That's not a bad send-off for a car that could be credited with kicking off the trend toward more affordable cars wearing upscale nameplates. However, with most of the B-Class's competitors now being of the compact crossover variety -- including Mercedes's own GLA-Class -- we suspect its maker would rather admit the B-Class has run its course than leave it to languish in the shadow of its utility vehicle competition.
The B-Class's powertrains carry over from 2018, with all cars using a turbocharged 2.0L engine that makes 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The only drivetrain choice to be made is whether to add the 4Matic AWD system.
Standard features include LED taillights and daytime running lamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel, heated front seats, artico artificial leather upholstery, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ambient lighting and keyless start.
Stand-alone options include active parking assist, navigation, satellite radio and 18-inch wheels. An optional dark ash wood interior trim is a classy-looking addition.
As of press time, Mercedes had not published its fuel consumption estimates for the B-Class, but they should be very similar -- if not identical -- to last year's figures of 9.8/6.8 L/100 km (city/highway) for the front-driver and 10.3/7.8 with AWD.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
