If there were prizes for ingenuity, Mercedes would certainly be up for an award with their Mercedes B-Class model. It seems the company saw a big enough gap in the market to develop a stylish, effective and practical hatchback, an ideal option for thirty-something’s who refuse to resign themselves to mediocre family cars.

The B-Class comes in various guises, a 1.5litre, 2litre and the 2litre diesel CDI; with 140bph on tap and average fuel consumption will vary considerably between the various editions. For long hauls, the B-Class will also not let you down on comfort, but unless you’ve got the radio cranked up to eleven, road rumble and wind noise will make for a fairly loud journey.
 
Sleek on the outside it may be, at least for a hatchback that is, but what shines on the surface isn’t necessarily a good indication of what lies beneath. As much as the front and rear seats of the B-Class will provide plenty of comfort for family breaks, the manufacturer seems to have turned a blind eye to the quality of the plastic, which can make this vehicle seem more like a child’s toy, a real shame considering that the car performs so well in most other departments. Space-wise there is sufficient leg room for both front and back passengers and in the boot there is an impressive 540litres plus of storage space, although having the capability to fit so much in could be a blessing in disguise when planning your next camping trip.

If you’re the lucky one sitting in the driver seat, the responsive handling of the B-Class will be a real treat. It is easily one of the most versatile all-rounders on the road today and will be just at home on the city streets, as it will in the fast lane of the motorway.

Of course, being able to brag to your friends that you own a Mercedes is not something that will come cheap, but another feather in its cap is that this is definitely one of their most cost-effective models. Starting at £16,940 and topping out at £24,240 for the 2litre CDI, this would be a wise option for anyone looking for a plain-speaking but stylish car, with the added bonus that speed need not be compromised for the sake of sensibility. There will always be cheaper and just as reliable alternatives, but unlike the B-Class, they simply won’t have that extra little something.