Mercedes' three-pointed star has a therapeutic effect. It brings people together and help them share their opinions. One of my cousins, for instance, felt obligated to stop by my house (which he very seldom does despite living just two blocks away) when he spotted this little black car in my driveway. He wanted to find out... how I managed to get a raise from my boss in order to purchase a Mercedes! That's strange because he didn't come over when I was testing a Volkswagen GTI or a Mazdaspeed3 a couple of weeks earlier. Of course, none of these cars sported a bright three-pointed star...
Yet, just like the GTI and Mazdaspeed3, the B200 Turbo is essentially a sporty 5-door hatchback with a forced-fed engine addicted to premium gasoline. The Stuttgart-based automaker's smallest car in Canada is roughly the same size as a Nissan Versa and its versatile interior boasts a similar cargo capacity. However, you'll never hear the folks at Mercedes call their B-Class a "5-door hatchback". That would be too plebeian. Rather, they came up with a catchy definition: "Versatile Sports Tourer". Well, well...
The heart of an athlete
Regardless of these snobbish claims, the fact of the matter is that the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a compact vehicle -- albeit a luxurious one. The ever-increasing sales volumes in Canada since 2005 illustrate its undeniable appeal. Our American neighbors, who can't purchase this model at their local Mercedes dealerships, are actually wondering why the B is so popular over here.
It's a well-kept secret, but the explanation is simple. Notwithstanding its price, this car is perfectly suited for Canadians, who generally prefer small, fuel-efficient vehicles, especially with volatile gas prices. Opt for the B200 Turbo model, like the one I tested, and you'll get sporty driving dynamics and spicy performance on top of that.
Compared to the base B200, which relies on a naturally-aspirated engine, the turbocharged variant adds 59 horsepower. Thusly powered, it allows sustained, linear accelerations not only from a dead spot but especially on the fly. Meanwhile, the firm suspension minimizes body roll and makes the ride predictable.
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| The B200 Turbo is the sportier variant of Mercedes' B-Class. |
Yet, just like the GTI and Mazdaspeed3, the B200 Turbo is essentially a sporty 5-door hatchback with a forced-fed engine addicted to premium gasoline. The Stuttgart-based automaker's smallest car in Canada is roughly the same size as a Nissan Versa and its versatile interior boasts a similar cargo capacity. However, you'll never hear the folks at Mercedes call their B-Class a "5-door hatchback". That would be too plebeian. Rather, they came up with a catchy definition: "Versatile Sports Tourer". Well, well...
The heart of an athlete
Regardless of these snobbish claims, the fact of the matter is that the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a compact vehicle -- albeit a luxurious one. The ever-increasing sales volumes in Canada since 2005 illustrate its undeniable appeal. Our American neighbors, who can't purchase this model at their local Mercedes dealerships, are actually wondering why the B is so popular over here.
It's a well-kept secret, but the explanation is simple. Notwithstanding its price, this car is perfectly suited for Canadians, who generally prefer small, fuel-efficient vehicles, especially with volatile gas prices. Opt for the B200 Turbo model, like the one I tested, and you'll get sporty driving dynamics and spicy performance on top of that.
Compared to the base B200, which relies on a naturally-aspirated engine, the turbocharged variant adds 59 horsepower. Thusly powered, it allows sustained, linear accelerations not only from a dead spot but especially on the fly. Meanwhile, the firm suspension minimizes body roll and makes the ride predictable.
 |
| Notwithstanding its price, this car is perfectly suited for Canadians. |