Bold And Beautiful - the New 2019 Mercedes B-Class
Mercedes-Benz South Africa has confirmed that the next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class will be available in South Africa. The Sports Tourer builds on the strengths of its predecessor, promising to be a great family car from the Mercedes-Benz stable.
The design of the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class receives a full refresh. Up front are new LED, or optional Multibeam, headlights that are also equipped with daytime running technology and can be quickly adjusted electronically to optimise driver sight. At the back, a new set of two-part LED taillights accentuate the width of the car, with a new black ‘diffuser’ inspired bumper just below. A large rear spoiler completes the sporty look at the rear, paired with a set of gloss black side spoilers on either side of the rear window.
The interior of the B-Class is lifted straight from the impressive set up in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Up front is the colossal dual 10,25-inch widescreen display that replaces the infotainment system and the instrument cluster. There is also an optional heads up display if the screens aren’t enough. The aircraft turbine inspired air vents also make their way to the cabin and, on the optional Style equipment line, are painted to look like afterburners. The centre console borrows the gloss black panel and touch-based control pad from the E-Class, allowing the driver to control settings like the 64 colour ambient lighting and the seat climate control.
The interior is also a bit wider, by 33mm to be exact. This improves the elbow room in the B-Class and provided decent space for passengers, which has taken top priority in the B-Class. The rear footwell has been reduced to free up more leg room for rear passengers and the seats have been ergonomically redesigned. The seats are available with the new ‘ENERGIZING’ seat kinetics system which makes small adjustments to sections of the seat to improve front passenger posture. In addition to this, the seats are also electronically adjustable with memory and massage function. At the back, the seats are arranged to fold down in a 40:20:40 split, freeing up a total capacity of 1540-litres, which the driver can access from the handsfree boot by just waving a foot under the car.
What’s comfort without driver aids and technology? The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class is now available with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system, or MBUX for short. This is the Artificial Intelligence interface that can be summoned by saying “Hey Mercedes”, followed by a prompt such as “open the sunroof” or “close the windows”. In addition to voice control, MBUX in the B-Class can also be controlled by the touch screen, touch pad in the centre console and the touch controls on either side of the steering wheel. In terms of driving aids, the B-Class features DISTRONIC active distance control, as well as active lane change assist and active brake assist.
There will only be two models available at launch. An entry level four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol model, capable of 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, called the B200, and a 2.0-litre diesel B200d, capable of 120kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Both models are fitted with a 7G-Tronic DCT automatic transmission with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.5-4.2-litres/100km from the diesel model and 5.7-5.2-litres/100km on the petrol model.
Pricing:
Mercedes-Benz B200 – R526,900
Mercedes-Benz B200d – R559,100
Also worth a look: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Celebrates 140 Years with an Epic Glob and the Mercedes-Benz Gla.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2019 Mercedes B-Class cost in South Africa?
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class starts from around R450,000 for the base B 180 model, with higher-spec variants like the B 200 and AMG Line versions pushing closer to R550,000 to R650,000 depending on options and trim levels.
Q: Is the 2019 Mercedes B-Class worth buying?
The 2019 B-Class is absolutely worth considering if you want Mercedes luxury in a practical family package, especially with its impressive dual 10.25-inch displays, improved interior space, and modern safety tech that punches well above its weight in the premium compact MPV segment.
Q: What engine options are available in the Mercedes B-Class in South Africa?
The South African B-Class lineup typically includes the 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in the B 180 producing around 100kW, and the more powerful B 200 with approximately 120kW from the same engine family, both paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Q: How does the 2019 Mercedes B-Class compare to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer?
The B-Class edges ahead with its stunning MBUX infotainment system and more luxurious interior feel, while the BMW offers slightly sharper handling, but both are evenly matched on practicality and pricing in the R450,000 to R600,000 range.
Q: What are the main problems with the Mercedes B-Class?
The main concerns with the B-Class include potentially expensive maintenance costs after warranty, some early MBUX system glitches that were later resolved, and rear visibility that can be compromised by the sloping roofline, though overall reliability has improved significantly over previous generations.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is the best luxury compact MPV under R600,000 in South Africa. At around R450,000 to R550,000 for most variants, you're getting genuinely premium tech like the dual 10.25-inch display setup, Mercedes' latest safety systems, and interior quality that feels like it belongs in cars costing twice as much. The extra 33mm of width makes a real difference for passenger comfort, and the updated styling finally gives the B-Class the visual appeal to match its practical brilliance. Sure, running costs will be higher than a comparable Volkswagen or Toyota, but if you want Mercedes prestige in a sensible family package, this is your best bet without stepping up to the significantly pricier GLA or C-Class Estate.
