Additional stand-alone options can include 10-way front seats with power height and recline at $1,590, Mercedes' own
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| The B200 does add a few standard features that are extra with similarly sized Japanese 5-door models. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
COMAND-DVD in-dash navigation system at $3,685 (that's a pricy nav system), a Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 digital surround sound system at $1,490, heated front seats at $750, which just happen to be included at no extra charge when the 10-way power seats are chosen, a dealer-installed iPod integration kit at $330 (not including the price of installation), Myrte wood trim at $450, a storage net on each front seatback for $85, bi-Xenon headlamps with active curve illumination system at $1,945, a dealer-installed chrome trim panel and fog light housing at $269 (not including the price of installation), a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) at $1,500, heated windshield washer system at $330, panorama louvered glass sunroof at $1,600, dealer-installed roof rack at $364 (not including the price of installation), and theft alarm system at $1,000. Amazingly enough you can get cloth and synthetic leather seats and door trim for $500, but leather isn't even optional unless you buck up for
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| Move over Lexus, Volvo and Cadillac, the new B200 will set its buyers back a total of $51,879 when fully loaded... OUCH! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
the more powerful $34,950 B200 Turbo, meaning if you are choosing optimal fuel economy and environmental friendliness you can't enjoy high-level luxury at the same time.
That last point kind of destroys my argument that the B200 is a better deal when fully loaded, which incidentally raises the price of entry by $20,929 to a grand total of $51,879! WHAT!!!??? Almost fif... fift... fifty-two grand for a compact four-cylinder hatchback!? And remember, we haven't even included the upgraded 193-horsepower engine for this price (which totals $58,284 when all the options are added on), and leather isn't part of the package either. What can you buy for $52K, let alone $58,000 and change (plus the unknown price of all the dealer-installed options included in this total)? Acura, BMW, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover... let me count the luxury crossovers and SUVs on both hands.
