Mercedes-Benz B-Class review

The sticker price is intimidating. The B-Class opens at about £35,000 for the petrol B200 Sport Executive, and £36k for the corresponding diesel. That's about £1,500 more than the matching A-Class.

Although there are but a pair of powertrains, it comes in four model lines, essentially a series of option packs with no other single options available except paint and upholstery colour.

The sensible person's choice is the basic Sport Executive, which has all the screenery and connectivity, including the online speech recognition. It also has a more versatile rear seat than the others. The cabin feels fully plush, with ambient lighting and metallic decor. On the standard kit list too are a reverse camera and wireless phone mirroring.

Step up to AMG Line Executive for that exterior design package, and 18-inch wheels. Indoors, it's sports seats. That pack is a £2,300 upgrade over the Sport Executive. Another £1,600 buys AMG Line Premium, which isn't bad value for twin-zone climate control, 225W hi-fi and more driver assist.

Finally it's AMG Line Premium Plus, a bumper £3,650 pack above the AMG Line Premium. That nets you matrix LED headlights, glass roof, electric memory front seats, gesture control and an excellent head-up display.

As with all Mercedes, you get three years' unlimited mileage warranty plus 30 years' rust warranty and 30 years (yes 30) pan-European breakdown rescue.