First drive: Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI ECO SE | New Release - Car News Jan 2014

12:46 Thursday 09 Jan 2014

Last November, Mercedes announced a brace of new ECO models which, while based on existing models, were designed to emit less CO2 and stretch every litre of fuel just that little bit further than their predecessors.

We were impressed by the first of these models, the A180 CDI ECO SE, but what about its bigger brother, the B180 CDI ECO SE?

On paper the stats look good. Power from the B180's 1.5-litre diesel engine remains unchanged at 109bhp, with a 0-62mph time of 11.6 seconds and a top speed of 118mph also remaining the same. However, CO2 emissions have fallen by 9 per cent to 98g/km and fuel economy is up 8 per cent to 74.3mpg.

Mercedes has managed this with the introduction of a range of aerodynamic and powertrain tweaks, including underbody panelling, a new grille, taller gear ratios and an improved energy recuperation system. The suspension has also been lowered by 20mm at the front and 15mm at the back.

On the road, the B180 CDI ECO SE displays the same surprising amount of handling panache as the rest of the models in the range. There's plenty of grip through the corners and body roll is well contained, making for an enjoyable driving experience. Our main criticisms centre around the steering, which feels distant and lifeless, and the clutch, which takes practice to master.

After a few minutes behind the wheel, however, you'll spot the elephant in the room. The diesel engine pulls well and delivers decent performance but it's very grumbly at low revs and coarse when you take it up to the redline.

On the plus side, it's a practical proposition. The interior is cavernous and there's more than enough space for rear seat passengers. There's also a good amount of standard equipment and the quality of the interior materials is exemplary.

So, should you buy one? Well, on the basis that running costs are a major consideration for any family car, the B180 CDI ECO SE is arguably the pick of the range, delivering more than enough grunt for most users while qualifying for free tax and returning impressive economy figures.

At £22,950, it's more expensive than many of its rivals, including the Ford C-MAX and the VW Golf Plus, but thanks to the quality of the build and the exclusivity of the badge, it still represents decent value for money, especially when you factor in its low running costs.