Insurance Group: 13
MPG: 39.8
CO2: 168
0-62 Mph: 14.2 secs
BHP: 94 BHP
Range: 473 miles
Equipment levels are among the best in the class, as are safety features. Mercedes' reliability and good resale values will give you peace of mind.
PROS: Great looks. Highly refined. Very spacious. Well-equipped. Comprehensive safety features. Sound resale values.
CONS: Ride is unsettled. Too slow.
The B 160 SE Autotronic is powered by a 4-cylinder, 1498cc petrol engine. The maximum power of 94bhp is adequate, but even with a torque figure of 104 lb-ft steep hills are going to be an issue when the car is loaded up. 0-62mph takes place in a pedestrian 14.2 seconds.
Handling-wise, the B 160 SE Autotronic does not disappoint. It grips the road well and body roll is well tamed through the bends. The car also has a tight turning circle, making for agile handling on narrow city streets. The Autotronic automatic transmission is smooth and gearshifts are precise and quick.
You will enjoy a quiet drive, thanks to high levels of refinement. The engine hums smoothly and external noises are fully suppressed.
MPVs are not the most attractive cars on the market, but the B 160 SE Autotronic is good looking and to an extent, luxurious. It bears polished, Mercedes-Benz looks and is distinguishable by its low bonnet. The interior is stylish and has an upmarket feel to it. High quality fabrics and panels are used to create an impeccably crafted cabin.
Mercedes is quite generous with equipment on this car. Standard kit includes power steering, stability control, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, rear parking sensors, cruise control, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobilizer, alarm, air con and alloy wheels. The entertainment system consists of a CD player and Bluetooth.
A smattering of extras are also available, some of which are very pricey. Climate control costs £425, sat nav £1,185, leather seats £1,325, metallic paint £375 and MP3 connectivity £360.
Mercedes is renowned for its good quality cars. The B 160 SE Autotronic should not disappoint on any front, as it is made using the same quality engineering and strong fit that Mercedes is known for. It has class leading safety features, including airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes. It is also fitted with some unique, high-tech features including blind spot recognition and smart pre-safe system, which warns you when you get dangerously close to the car in front of you.
The B160 registered impressive scores in the Euro NCAP crash test, scoring 5 stars for overall protection, 5 stars for occupant safety, 4 stars for child safety and 2 for pedestrian safety.
The 5-door body makes cabin access easy. Inside, five seats provide enough room for five adults to sit comfortably. There is ample head and legroom to ensure a comfortable ride for everyone. The driving position is high enough to ensure all-round visibility and comfort.
Storage solutions are aplenty. The glove compartment is large enough to accommodate an emergency pouch for a baby. The central console provides additional storage space, as do the numerous bottle holders behind the seats and on the doors.
The boot is a good size with a capacity of 550 litres with the seats up and 1530 litres with the seats down, making it one of the more spacious MPVs on UK roads.
The B 160 SE Autotronic is not the most expensive car in its class, but there are cheaper MPVs offering far better performance. The Vauxhall Meriva for instance, is almost £3,000 cheaper yet has more power and is better equipped. Still, qualities such as roominess, reliability, safety credentials and good residual value make the B 160 SE Autotronic a better all-round choice.
Emissions averaging 168g/km are decent for this class and place the car under road tax band H, which attracts £265 in the first year and £190 thereafter. It sits in insurance group 13, which is pretty low for a car of this magnitude. A fuel economy average of 39.8mpg, though not the best, is fairly average for this class.
Mercedes offers a 3-year warranty with unlimited mileage.
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