There’s something poetic about taking a car on its final journey before it’s written into the archives of automotive history. In this case, that car was the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, a name that has quietly catered to practicality, comfort, and aging gracefully since its inception. Mercedes has announced that the B-Class will bow out in 2025, and with no successor planned, it’s the last chance to truly understand what this mini-van-slash-hatchback means to those who value a car for ease of use and thoughtful engineering.
Our testing grounds? The winding, softly undulating backroads of Ankum Heights in Lower Saxony, a place where rolling green ridges meet narrow country lanes, lined with old oak trees and farmhouses. It’s not a place to chase lap records, but it is exactly where a car like the B-Class should shine: in the small moments, the gentle climbs, the coffee stop at a viewpoint with your elderly father, and the ease of loading a week’s worth of hiking gear into the back.
The test car was no bare-bones family shuttle, either. This was the top-spec B 250 AMG Line Premium 4MATIC, a mouthful of a name, and nearly 62,000 euros on the price tag. But does it drive like a premium car? Let’s find out.
In the test: petrol engine with 238 hp
Under the hood of the B 250 is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a mild hybrid system. On paper, this setup produces a total system output of 238 hp and 350 Nm of torque. That power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h? A respectable 6.5 seconds.
On the narrow tarmac threading through Ankum Heights, the B-Class felt alert but never aggressive. The engine has a strong mid-range punch, you feel that 14 hp hybrid boost particularly when overtaking uphill. There’s a playful tug at your spine when you floor it from 60 km/h on a country road. But then the gearbox steps in, and not always gracefully. In Sport mode, shifts were sometimes too eager, jerky even, like the car was trying too hard to act like a hot hatch.
And it’s noisy up top. At around 5,500 rpm, the engine note becomes strained, more gruff than refined. The B-Class has never promised the buttery smoothness of an inline-six, but in a car that costs over €60,000, the expectation is different. It’s a capable drivetrain, no doubt, but one that never lets you forget it’s a downsized four-pot trying to do big car things.
Mini-van with 7.5 liters consumption
Real-world fuel economy is where the B-Class truly becomes a mixed bag. Over our 300 km loop of rural B-roads, small-town stop-and-go traffic, and a dash of autobahn near Osnabrück, the B 250 averaged 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers. That’s decent, not excellent, for a car of this size and power.
But here’s the catch: it’s sensitive to how and where you drive it. In urban traffic, especially from cold starts on frosty mornings, consumption shot up to nearly 9 liters. The hybrid system tries to help, coasting with the engine off, gentle recuperation, but it can only do so much. Switch to Eco mode, and the system becomes a bit more docile, prioritizing smooth glides over zippy response. It works well when cruising through the pastoral calm of Ankum Heights, where you can lift off early before a curve and let the car coast silently downhill, saving drops of fuel like coins in a jar.
Still, for seniors or casual drivers doing frequent short trips, the petrol B-Class may not be the thriftiest choice. The diesel variants remain the champions of long-distance economy, though they lack the polish and responsiveness of the B 250.
Lots of space and a large trunk
You don’t climb into the B-Class, you step into it. And for many older drivers, that’s reason enough to love this car. The seat height is spot-on: not too high like an SUV, not too low like a hatchback. The door sills are narrow, the doors open wide, and even my tall co-driver, 1.93 meters got in and out without twisting like a contortionist.
Inside, the cabin feels open, airy, and almost taller than it is wide. Mercedes has cleverly packaged the B-Class to maximize space. With the rear seats up, the boot holds a respectable 455 liters. Fold them down, and you get a flat floor and up to 1,540 liters, ideal for bulky luggage, dogs, or even folding bicycles if that’s your thing.
One neat trick is the 40:20:40 split rear bench. Want to carry skis or a ladder but still have room for two passengers? Easy. Optional rear seat adjustment gives you 14 cm of flexibility, either to stretch out or to prioritize cargo. On our trip, we stuffed the boot with camera gear, coats, a picnic set, and a pair of folding chairs. Nothing had to be crammed in or Tetris’d into place.
For long-legged passengers in the back, legroom is generous. My photographer, over 1.85 meters, had room to spare even behind a tall driver. Headroom? Fine up to 1.9 meters, but beyond that, the sloping roofline might press against a tall scalp. The middle seat is tight, though. Realistically, two adults and one child in the back is your comfortable maximum for long trips.
Operation with high distraction
This is where the B-Class stumbles. Or maybe it sprints too far into the future, forgetting who its core customers are. The wide-screen cockpit, twin 10.25-inch displays in our test car, is undeniably sleek, futuristic even. But the interface requires patience, familiarity, and frankly, a fair bit of eyesight.
Mercedes removed the physical touchpad from the center console, a decision I cannot defend. The remaining touchscreen is precise but fiddly. The steering wheel touch buttons, responsive, yes, but also far too sensitive, are a nightmare with gloves or jittery fingers. More than once, I accidentally skipped songs or adjusted settings just trying to steady my hand.
Voice control is the saving grace. Say, “Hey Mercedes, navigate to the Ankum viewpoint,” and it gets it right nine out of ten times. The augmented reality navigation overlays directions onto a live video feed, cool, but again, possibly overkill for someone just trying to get to their local pharmacy.
There are a lot of features here, from ambient lighting themes to online weather updates. But many of them get in the way of what should be a simple task: drive safely from A to B. The older buyers who flock to this car might not enjoy having to tap, swipe, and talk their way through basic settings.
Technical Specification
We rely on Mercedes official site for technical data so you get the right info every time.
| Category | Details |
| Engine Type | 2.0L Petrol (Turbocharged Mild Hybrid) |
| System Power | 238 hp (175 kW) |
| Torque | 350 Nm |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Dual-Clutch (8G-DCT) |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive (4MATIC) |
| Acceleration 0–100 km/h | 6.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h |
| Combined Fuel Consumption (WLTP) | 7.1 l/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 160 g/km |
| Trunk Volume (Standard) | 455 liters |
| Trunk Volume (Seats Folded) | 1,540 liters |
| Vehicle Dimensions (L×W×H) | 4419 × 1796 × 1562 mm |
| Curb Weight (EU) | 1,555 kg |
| Payload | 550 kg |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked) | 1,800 kg / 750 kg |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Base Price (Germany) | €56,602 |
Conclusion
The Mercedes B-Class B 250 AMG Line Premium 4MATIC is a swan song that sings with clarity but not perfection. It’s still the clever, comfortable, and competent mini-van that seniors have relied on, with better power, more tech, and plenty of room for grandkids, groceries, or a weekend away in the countryside.
But Mercedes may have pushed the digital envelope a bit too far for its core audience. The driving experience is quick but sometimes clunky. Fuel economy is okay, but not outstanding. And the price? Well, €62,000 is a steep ask for a practical family car with a complex UI.
Still, driving it through Ankum Heights, golden light pouring through the windows, engine humming contentedly at 90 km/h, and a picnic packed neatly in the trunk, the B-Class reminded me why it earned a loyal following. It didn’t try to be flashy. It just worked.
Is the Mercedes B-Class a good car for seniors?
Yes. The seat height, ease of access, and spacious interior make it ideal for older drivers. However, the infotainment system can be overly complex.
Is the Mercedes B-Class being discontinued?
Yes. Mercedes has confirmed that production will end in 2025, with no direct successor planned.
Is the Mercedes-Benz B 250 worth the price compared to lower trims?
It depends. The B 250 offers more power and standard features, but unless you need AWD or enjoy spirited driving, lower trims or diesel options may offer better value.
