It's your call, of course, but I know for a fact (thanks to your many letters to the editor - just click on my name in the credits to email)
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| Reality is that the B200 is an underpowered, under-contented, albeit well-made economy hatchback, plain and simple. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
that my readers are an intelligent bunch and don't easily succumb to crafty marketing of intricately spun hyperbole. Reality is that the B200 is an underpowered, under-contented, albeit well-made economy hatchback, plain and simple. If it had a Volkswagen badge on the grille instead of a three-pointed star it wouldn't fetch more than $25K in base trim and $35,000 fully loaded.
For less money or similar the list of sport wagons and crossovers is full, some even including premium nameplates such as Audi, with its new 200-hp A3 and Volvo with its especially nice V50 - these two are priced slightly higher in base trim but worth every penny in style, interior refinement and standard features. If the snob-appeal of a top-tier badge doesn't interest you as much and the previously mentioned Mazda5 isn't your thing, then try out Hyundai's new
Tucson crossover SUV (or Kia's Sportage), which comes close to equaling the B200
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| For less money or similar the list of sport wagons and crossovers is full, some even including premium nameplates. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
for refinement plus adds standard stability control and ABS for under $20K, a full array of airbags, and a V6, manual-mode shifter, all-wheel drive and leather for much less than the B200s base price.
Toyota's Matrix (Pontiac Vibe) is also a good bet, and even more substantial is the Japanese automaker's new RAV4, that can be optioned out with a 269-horsepower V6 for less money than the little M-B's base, or if frugality is the reasoning behind looking into the B-Class, a 166-horsepower four-cylinder. For me, Toyota's Prius or Honda's Civic Hybrid are better cars that offer much better
fuel economy, lower emissions, higher build quality, more style (that last point might be a personal one with regards to the Prius) and, once again, requiring less money. They will also get you more street respect among those also doing their part to reduce noxious emissions.
