All-New B-Class More Conventional, But More Impressive.



Mercedes-Benz's Euro-flavoured entry-level B-Class hatchback is back in Canada after a 14-month hiatus, and no, them gas-swillin', SUV-loving Americans still can't have one. That is, not a gasoline-powered one at least, as the Mercedes Canada folks were careful to point out at the media launch of the all-new B250. This news only confirms what M-B USA has publicly stated in regards to possibly bringing in an electric B-Class, similar to one briefly shown at the Paris Motor Show in the fall.

They also wouldn't confirm whether an electric or fuel cell B-Class was coming to Canada, or when, wanting to keep the focus on the all-new 2013 B250 that started arriving into Benz dealers across the country last month in December.

And there's an interesting value story there, the kind of story that one doesn't often hear from Mercedes-Benz, which is usually very content to offer the most expensive vehicle in each class in which they compete. Though the company tries to suggest that the B-Class is such a unique offering that it has no direct rivals, it admits that its competitors include the Audi A3, BMW X1 and Lexus CT 200h hybrid, vehicles that all start above the B's starting $29,990 price tag – and sometimes significantly higher.