The B-Class->ke2751 compact was launched in 2005, when Mercedes-Benz->ke187 decided it needs a bigger A-Class->ke452 in Europe. The B-Class received most of its underpinning and engines from its little brother, but more powerful unit were added to compensate the extra weight. Marketed as a compact sports tourer, the B-Class is essentially a slightly larger hatchback->ke304 available in a five-door configuration. The first-generation model was built until 2011 with a bevy of gasoline and diesel engines. The hatchback was redesigned for the 2012 model year and gained an all-electric iteration two years later. Dubbed Electric Drive, the EV is the sole B-Class sold in the United States. As we're moving onto the 2015 model year, the B-Class gets further updates by means of an anticipated mid-cycle refresh.

The facelifts comes with minor styling updates, all-around LED lighting, new equipment and a revised interior. The compact continues to offer a wide selection of drivetrains, including two gasoline units, two diesels, an electric->ke1030 motor and a natural gas version. Read on to check out the full details.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

mercedes-benz-b-class

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: mercedes-benz-b-class
Pros
Cons

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 122 @ 5000
  • Torque: 184 @ 1250
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy Shots

Judging by the strategically placed camo, we expect to see new headlights, a new front bumper and changes to the grille up front. Above, you can see a comparison between the spy shot (right) and the current model (left), but the camo hides most of the differences.

On the rear, we expect to see a new bumper with nicely integrated exhaust pipes. The rear comparisons make it a little easier to see the differences, as the camo is far lighter on the backside.

Exterior

Visual upgrades are minor, with the introduction of the LED High Performance headlamps system being the main highlight up front. The revised fascia also includes a reshaped bumper. The same is available around back, where a new set of LED taillights and an updated bumper replace the previous units. Also new is a B-Class lineup consisting of three distinct lines: Style, Urban and AMG Line. The latter includes sportier styling features and make up the most aggressive-looking B-Class you can buy, as Mercedes-Benz has no plans to develop a B45 AMG.

The B-Class also benefits from the already familiar Night, Exclusive and AMG Exclusive packages. These provide more options for individualization at an extra cost.

Interior

The facelift also brings numerous interior updates with a focus on premium quality. The large infotainment system now measures 8 inches, while the instrument cluster comes with a stylish dial layout. The company also offers a choice of 12 colors for the ambient lighting, a feature usually available on luxury sedans. Previously not available, keyless access and start is now an option for this vehicle. Also new are the Collision Prevention Assist Plus and Attention Assist safety systems.

Other than that, the B-Class has remained largely unchanged. That's far from being an issue though, as its revamped interior can be labeled as the most luxurious in the hatchback segment.

Drivetrain

As expected, the B-Class comes with a wide variety of drivetrains. Two gasoline engine are available, with both of them featuring two different output ratings. The 1.6-liter, inline-four in the base B180 model generates 122 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque, while the B200 benefits from 156 ponies and 184 pound-feet. Both the B220 and the B250 get a 2.0-liter four-banger. The former has 184 horses and 221 pound-feet on tap, while the later is motivated by 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet.

As for diesels, Mercedes offers a Renault-sourced 1.5-liter and a 2.1-liter, both with four cylinder. The B160 is the most frugal of them all and comes with just 90 ponies and 177 pound-feet. Moving up to the B180, there are 109 horses and 191 pound-feet under the hood. The larger 2.1-liter unit pumps 136 horsepower and 221 pound-feet in the B200 and 177 horses and 258 pound-feet in the B220, respectively.

Mercedes also offers a natural gas version dubbed B200 Natural Gas Drive. It uses the same 2.0-liter block as the gasoline version, but it runs on both gasoline and natural gas. The mill generates 156 horsepower and, when working on natural gas, it requires 4.2 kilograms of them for every 100 kilometers traveled.

Lastly, there's the B-Class Electric Drive, the only model available Stateside. The facelifted EV is powered by 177 horses and 251 pound-feet of torque and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Its range sits at 60 miles.

Diesel models:

Model

B 160 CDI

B 180 CDI

B 180 CDI BE Edition

B 200 CDI

B 220 CDI

Number of cylinders/arrangement

4 in-line

4 in-line

4 in-line

4 in-line

4 in-line

Displacement (cc)

1461

1461

1461

2143

2143

Rated output (hp at rpm)

90 HP @ 2750-4000 RPM

109 HP @ 4000 RPM

109 HP @ 4000 RPM

136 HP @ 3200-4000 RPM

177 HP @ 3600-3800 RPM

Rated torque (LB-FT at rpm)

177 LB-FT @ 1700-2500 RPM

191 LB-FT @ 1750-2500

191 LB-FT @ 1700-2500 RPM

221 LB-FT @ 1400-3000 RPM

258 LB-FT @ 1400-3400 RPM

Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km)

4.1 (4.0)

4.1 (4.0)

3.6

4.3 D (4.0)

4.1


Gasoline models:

Model

B 180

B 180 BE Edition

B 200

B 220 4MATIC

B 250

Number of cylinders/arrangement

4 in-line

4 in-line

4 in-line

4 in-line

4 in-line

Number of cylinders/arrangement

1595

1595

1595

1991

1991

Rated output (hp at rpm)

122 HP @ 5000 RPM

122 HP @ 5000 RPM

156 HP @ 5300 RPM

184 HP @ 5500 RPM

211 HP @ 5500 RPM

Displacement (cc)

147 LB-FT @ 1250-4000 RPM

147 LB-FT @ 1250-4000 RPM

184 LB-FT @ 1250-4000 RPM

221 LB-FT @ 1200-4000 RPM

258 LB-FT @ 1200-4000 RPM

Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km)

5.6 (5.4)

5.2

5.6 (5.4)

6.5

6.1 (6.6)


Prices

The refreshed B-Class arrives in European dealerships in November 2014, after making its official debut at the Paris Motor Show. There's no word on U.S. availability yet, but it's likely the Germans won't ship the compact over the pond. In its home market, the B-Class will retail from €27,102.25, which means about $35,110 as of 09/12/2014.

Competitors

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

The Mercedes B-Class gets its main competition from BMW, who has moved into building front-wheel-drive cars with the 2 Series Active Tourer. Munich has opted for a similar design approach and a lineup that includes three engines for the 2014 model year. A 1.5-liter, three-cylinder unit serves as a base propeller with 136 ponies and 220 pound-feet of torque at its disposal. A larger, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers 231 gasoline-fed horses and 350 pound-feet of torque. The only diesel offering consists of a 2.0-liter four-banger rated at 150 horsepower and 330 pound-feet.

M Sport and plug-in hybrid versions are also underway for the 2015 model year, but specific details are rather thin as of September 2014. Pricing has yet to be revealed and there's a good chance we won't get the 2 Series Active Tourer in the United States.

Conclusion

Although this facelift doesn't bring many exterior changes, it places the B-Class in line with the brand-new models from the Mercedes-Benz lineup. The highlights obviously lie in the cabin, which boasts a more premium feel and a stylish layout that reminds of more expensive vehicles from the German company. The compact benefits from an impressive lineup of engines, which also includes a potent EV and a natural gas version. That's likely to help increase sales in Europe, where the model is offered in its full diversity.