2017 Mercedes Benz B Class Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2017?
The biggest changes that Mercedes Benz made for 2017 is the improvement of technological features. This vehicle now has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity as well as 4G LTE in-vehicle Internet data speed. Mercedes Benz also made the addition of an Electric Blue interior option. The company decided to revise some of the packages they offer for this vehicle as well.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class – The Pros
1. Awesome Acceleration
Anyone who has driven an EV before is probably aware that speedy and smooth acceleration is not something EVs are known for. The 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class B250e will change the way you feel about driving an EV. Tesla Motors provides all of the components for the 132-kilowatt electric motor with its 28-kWh lithium ion battery, which is mounted beneath the floor. While the average EV can get from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 to 9 seconds, the B Class gets there in an astounding 6.7 seconds (which happens to be 1.2 seconds faster than what Mercedes Benz claims the car can do). Only two EVs (the Tesla Model S and BMW i3) are known to be faster.
2. The Chic Interior Design
The interior styling of the B Class is not the absolute utmost in vehicular luxury, but it is undoubtedly a step above many of its competitors. The fashionable interior design includes a chic carbon-fiber construction. The Electric Blue package features top-stitched gray and blue vinyl upholstery as well as trim on the doors and dashboard. If leather upholstery is more your style, the Interior package has heated front leather seats. It also features multi-colored ambient lighting and vinyl door and dash trim. Whatever trim you opt for, your vehicle will have a noticeably quiet cabin.
3. 85 Miles of Range
Mercedes Benz boasts that its B Class can get about 85 miles of range on a charged battery. A standard range-extending feature can get you an additional 15 miles, but this is not something you should utilize often. Battery recharging can take an estimated 3.5 hours on a 240-volt charging station, but it does use more power to go about the same mileage as the BMW i3.
4. Attention Assist Technology
The 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class comes with Attention Assist Technology, which measures 70 various parameters of driving behavior. If the system detects dangerous behavior (including a driver's sleepiness), it will automatically alert the driver. This one-of-a-kind safety feature will gauge your attention level and can help you know whether you need to pull over and take a break from driving.
5. Radar-Based Regenerative Braking
An option that customers should consider adding is Mercedes Benz's radar-based regenerative braking system. This is the first system of its kind to be used in an Electronic Vehicle. It uses radar technology to monitor the distance and speed of the vehicle ahead of you. The system will adjust the car's regenerative braking to recover as much energy as it can as you adjust your speed to the flow of traffic. You can manually select from three recuperation levels on a set of paddles located behind the upper steering wheel spokes.
6. It's a Surprisingly Roomy Hatchback
EV hatchbacks aren't exactly known for being roomy, but the 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class provides a generous amount of room. There is 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space, and when you fold down the backseats, you can get a total of 51.4 cubic feet of cargo space. There is also sufficient head and leg room up front and in the back, allowing four adults to comfortably fit in the vehicle. The middle seat in the back can comfortably seat a small child.
7. All Seats are Highly Adjustable
The driver and front passenger seats are both adjustable a total of ten ways and are also height-adjustable. The driver's seat and front passenger seat both have power adjustable lumbar support, making it comfortable for you to be sitting up front for a long period of time.
8. Availability of Five Packages
There are five different packages you can choose from, depending on what you're looking for in your EV. There is an Interior Package, three levels of the Premium Package, and the all-new Electric Blue Package.
9. Exterior Design
The exterior design hasn't changed much since 2015, but it remains stylish and fluid. The front-end has a nice two-slat chrome grill and isn't overly-done. The dark-paneled scoop gives the exterior a sportier appeal. The lower front corners have LED daytime-running lights which give an additional safety measure that doesn't look tacky.
10. The Dashboard Screen
The dashboard screen looks large and clunky. However, this 7-inch screen is a great size and is placed directly in the center of the dash, making it easy for everyone to see. It comes standard in all trims.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class – The Cons
1. The Cruising Range Falls Short
An 85-mile cruise range isn't terrible for an EV, but the battery sucks up more power than the batteries on other EVs, such as the BMW i3, which can get you the same range on less energy.
2. A Firm Ride Quality
The 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class has a short-travel suspension that makes for a firm ride quality, which might not be ideal for some drivers who don't want the lag.
3. The Price Tag
The 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class has an MSRP that's slightly high for its class. While the 2017 BMW i3 has an MSRP of $42,400 for its standard trim (which performs at a decent level, perhaps even slightly better than the B Class), the Mercedes Benz's standard trim will cost at least $4,000 more.
Conclusion
The 2017 Mercedes Benz B Class reflects the growing technology behind Electronic Vehicles. While EVs like this still have a way to go in terms of offering even better range distances and efficient charging options, the 2017 B Class offers a degree of comfort and security that others in its class do not.
