Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2020 review: B180

The car has a sophisticated exterior with rounded corners, but it looks very similar to the A3.

The Mercedes 'Iridium Silver' paint costs an extra $1190 and this particular silver is a standout on every Mercedes. The B 180 is no exception. It’s quite neat and compact and looks good on the road.

The Mercedes 'Iridium Silver' paint is an extra opt in cost.

The interior is much more special, with an extraordinarily wide screen and a completely digitalised dash.

Along with the circular air vents full of chrome spokes, it gives the feeling of being in a futuristic cockpit, and that feeling is amplified at night when the whole dash area lights up.

The interior features a completely digitalised dash.

Cars are really starting to look more like we used to imagine the ‘cars of the future’ would. 

There are leather-look seats in this model, which I find a bit low-rent for Mercedes, but you can upgrade the seats if you choose to.

The steering wheel is leather and is nice under the hands and this model came with the 'Vision Package' for an extra $2490 which gives you a large panoramic sunroof which extends to the back among other things.

The whole centre console area is well designed with some high gloss accents and it all makes you feel good while driving. 

The Mercedes B 180 has a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, and when I say turbo I mean turbo.

But the issue for me is that it takes a few seconds to kick in, and when the turbo does get going the car suddenly lurches forward, so the driving experience is very lurchy.

Some people might like that - the power boost and the loud engine as it quickly zips forward - but for me it was too jerky and uneven, I prefer a smoother ride. 

The rest of the driving is quite good and uneventful, with enough power to get up hills quickly and coast along highways.

The B 108 is easy to park because of its size.

It’s easy enough to park because of the size and while the base model comes with a reverse and forward parking camera, the Vision Package on this model gives you a 360-degree camera, too.

They’re all very high definition so you can see clearly and know where you are while parking. It also comes with 'Active Park Assist' which can automatically park the car for you. 

This model came equipped with a 'Seat Comfort' package which gives you heated and power adjustable front seats, operated with a seat shaped controller on the door handle so it’s very easy to see which bit does what. 

The 'Seat Comfort' package gives you heated and power adjustable front seats

There are two cupholders in the front, a small spot for keys and phone and a large centre storage bin (especially so for a hatchback), plus bottle holders in each door.

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest but miss out on their own air vents, although this is standard with hatchbacks. 

It comes with keyless entry and the boot opens and closes with a button on the boot which does make a difference if you find yourself constantly overloaded with things to carry. 

It comes equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which means you plug in for instant connectivity with your phone’s main apps and can use voice control for navigation and to make calls/send texts. 

The Mercedes system also has voice control, which comes alive after you say 'Mercedes' and comes with Bluetooth connectivity, a digital radio and built-in sat nav.

The audio system in the base model comes with nine speakers and the sound is good. 

The Mercedes B 180 costs $46,400, before on road costs. The special paint is an extra $1190, black alloy wheels $1190, the Seat Comfort package $1290, and the Vision Package $2490.

The black alloy wheels are an added $1190.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 5.7L/100km and it takes 95RON premium fuel. 

It’s covered by Mercedes-Benz's three-year warranty which falls short in the current marketplace.