I know it's difficult to surmise how I truly feel about this car (tongue firmly in cheek), but my unwillingness to recommend it has
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| Money aside, it's a nice little hatchback that is enjoyable to drive and quite accommodating. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
nothing to do with its capability as a car. Money aside, it's a nice little hatchback that is enjoyable to drive and quite accommodating. Unfortunately, however, money is a very real determinant in the B200's case, and while Mercedes-Benz builds some superb automobiles that deliver reasonable value, this one is simply priced much too high for what is being offered.
In the end, the problem doesn't lie with Mercedes nor its new B200, but more so in that new compact models from Japan and
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| The current crop of Japanese and Korean compacts make the B200 appear lackluster in comparison, showing clearly that Mercedes-Benz can't and shouldn't compete in this category. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Korea are so good, with exterior panel fit so tight, paint quality so high, interior plastics so rich for the money, switchgear featuring close to zero tolerance levels, features so healthy, drivetrains so refined and powerful and suspension systems so advanced, that a compact premium model has to offer much more than merely a namebrand in order to justify its existance. Truly, the B200 should come with much of its optional equipment standard in order to make up for its premium pricetag and give the occupants any sort of premium experience. The base B200 doesn't deliver much of what is expected in a modern Mercedes-Benz, unfortunately, and therefore left anyone I showed it to miffed as to why they'd consider buying it. I am solidly in that camp too.
