New Mercedes B Class Vs Tiguan

[Sanman]

I have hired the new B-Class Mercedes B180 with Blue Efficiency in Germany (not yet released in Australia - I actually wanted to hire a Touran for toting the family about), and can share a few thoughts about this in comparison to the Tiguan. If you're looking at buying a Tiguan, or replacing on e (mine is 3 years old) then the new B-Class would be on your list.

Its pretty much fits the same category as the Tiguan, except it does not have a 4WD option (which is not useful to me).

The B-Class is a little longer outside, and the boot is larger, but fits about the same in the boot as the Tiguan (with the Tiguan rear seats moved forward).There appears to be no flexible seating options as in the Tiguan.

Engine stop start feature works surprisingly well (with a manual) – causes no delay whatsoever.
Automatic wipers are a setting on the wiper stalk, and wipe when needed, and not otherwise. The Tiguan auto wipe requires fiddling and often wipes when not required or visa versa

The engine (petrol) and transmission is outstanding, flexible quite and sufficient power. Averaging about 8-9 litres per 100km, with mixed loads and journeys.
The ride on the B180 is smoother but not quite as direct as the Tiguan. Nice steering wheel to grip with lots of controls and built-in bluetooth. Quality plastics with good feel.

The radio display sits up out of the dash like an accessory , very theatrical, you feel liking unplugging it and popping it in the glovebox like a Tomtom. The base model obviously has a meagre small display but still colour etc. There is a silly iDrive control knob, but the the display is crying out for a touch screen. Radio selection is very easy showing all available stations on an old-timer type dial. The B-class has a comprehensive display in the dash, same as the Tiguan MFD.

Autohold feature is transparent (there is no button) - when you release the foot brake, autohold remains on for about 5 seconds. I initially thought I was a legend with hill starts. The feature would have been better turned off when I was reversing up a steep driveway and pausing. The poor clutch took a battering. It has parking sensors on the front rear and side, but does not have self-park, this must be an additional cost feature, even though the sensors are in place.

Interior night illumination is great – it has the same feature as the Tiguan but improved, there are hidden yellow strip lights behind the door handles and hidden in style lines in the dash and rear view mirrors.

The party trick for the B-Class is standard radar collision warning system. It beeps when the car ahead stops and you and you haven’t yet braked, I assume it will brake by itself when you are imminent danger.

There are fewer pockets and cubby holes in the B180, no Tiguan rear seat flexibility. There is a proper handle on the B180 to grab to shut the boot. The Mercedes A-pillar is thick, which has you peering around it on corners.
This B180 didn’t have the satisfying door closure like the Tiguan, and the boot and some doors required to be closed again. The opener button for the boot lid made an unpleasant clack noise. The quality feel of the doors does not feel Mercedes-like, and is inferior to VW.

Mercedes have better resale than VWs. The fixed price servicing is cheaper with Mercedes. The value equation requires the Australian selling price of the B180 to be released. The basic M180 is well equipped, and there is a value pack called Edition 1 has all the nice options (eg Xenon) for a couple of thousand more.

General view is that the B180 does everything without fuss, and the tech is hidden in the background, leaving you with an easy and pleasant car to drive.
EDIT: Having driven the car for another week, I find a couple more things:
- the interior is not as well thought out as the Tiguan - there are cubby holes and storage compartments, but for instance you can't fit a bottle in the door, and the console cup holder is very small. for a revised version of the car I thought this should have been outstanding. It does have USB 5v available in the console with comprehensive music input plugs.
Wind noise is high, and along with the poor door closing leaves me with the overall impression that it is a good car let down by poor build quality, which is something surprising and damning for a mercedes. I'm left with the view that its a competent car, but not the pleasing impression of "done right" I get from the Tiguan when I have the solid door closing, seating flexibility and positive and well thought out action of all the switchgear.

[aussietig]

THREAD HIJACK

Have actually had a test drive in the Land Rover Evoque (top of the range petrol Si4 version).

Was definitely surprised and impressed with the power delivery and auto transmission (with paddles).

Suspension & handling definitely at least felt on par with the Tig.
Unfortunately no demo available with the magnetic suspension (which is suppose to be even better).

If you like gadgets then this has it all (e.g. dials that change to red when in 'Sports' mode and the pop up volume dial as your shifter).


The downside & showstopper for me was the smaller than a Tiguan interior & boot space. Actually felt a bit trapped inside.
But admittedly it was the 3 door with the lower roof line.

Also hefty price tag (especially on options) and 6 month's wait doesn't help either.


But hey ... well worth a look & try, if you want something different & less common!

[Transporter]

The B Class is a fine car. The last time I took a closer look, it was when we were buying our Golf. The B Class had a very nice interior, not often seen in the cars under $100k. The Golf TDI had a better engine that made us to buy it.

Good luck with the decision.

[ralp2dam]

Sanman great review/comparison. Thanks for that I enjoyed it.

[Gumtree]

Hi Sanman, curious about yr 8-9L/100km, we have a MY09 B200 now, 2L CVT, getting combined 8.5L/100 95RON, and no blue motion technology. finish and 'whoomp' door close factor were perfect on ours...

FYI, we are planning to move to a Tig, but dont want to wait until 2Q12 to compare the new B series....unless GFC 2.0 brings some luxury dealers a-begging again...

Understand your comment re MB re-sale, we thought that too, unfortunately VW trade-in offers of $22-24k for an original $65k value car after <3 years havnt supported it....and the silly highballing of RRP on Tig options (I kid you not: $1k for aftermarket F&R park sensors [for non-park assist tig]...!) just makes us think it isnt worth it...!

Transporter - funny we loved the 118tsi golf, but on price we got the B200 with more options cheaper, 3 yrs free service...and 'the' badge as well... ...but agree with yr motor view....

FYI, wife prefers elevated seating position, which is why we got the B200...Tig fits her nicely now though...pity about the 12m turn circle vs. office carpark...

[Sanman]

The B-class I have had only 1000km on it when I picked it up which may explain its lacklustre fuel economy. It can show as good as 7l/100km under ideal conditions, 12l/100km @ 160 (not really an issue in Australia) but despite tricks like stop start motor, its still pushing 1.5+ tonnes around in suburban traffic which ends up meaning economy is 8-9 l/100km.
You remind me that the turn circle on the Tiguan is shocking, B-Class is quite OK, though the Mitsu ASX is amazingly good. Bumper design and Park sensors on the B-Class are well set up, enabling me to stuff it in very small spots, smaller than the Tig.
My major disappointment is the fit and finish of the B-Class, despite quality materials. Perhaps this is an early production vehicle, and they'll be spot on by the time it comes to Australia. I just read they released the taxi-pack version, so it means they're ramping up volume.

[Alpha Centauri]

I had a chance to test drive a fully-optioned top-end W246 B200 recently. I can't really provide a comparison with the Tiguan as my order hasn't arrived yet. But when compared to the old top-end W245 B200 Turbo:

Pros of the W246
• Technological gadgets galore, such as Driving Assistance Package featuring Distronic Plus now made available
• Sharper-looking exterior with LED DRLs
• More luxurious interior with cool ambient lighting
• Panoramic sunroof now uses glass panels (W245 had lamella panels)
• More interior storage spaces around centre console
• Now uses dual-clutch transmission (W245 had the CVT)
• Now comes with a reversing camera
• Availability of Thermotronic option with rear air-con vents (stupidly omitted by MB Aus in the W245 for our local market)
• Improved Linguatronic voice control (one can now pronounce town and street names instead of spelling them out)
• Improved refinement and handling
• Improved fuel economy
• $10K cheaper when fully optioned!

Cons of the W246
• Rides lower (some of us prefer a more commanding driving position)
• Smaller boot space despite growing externally (486L vs 544L of the W245)
• Now uses runflat tyres
• No 2.0L turbo engine option

However, some old complaints still remain. The Easy Vario Plus option that has sliding and reclining rear seats like the Tiguan's is still not available for our local market. And the Thermotronic climate control with rear air-con vents is still not a standard feature despite the B-Class' premium pricing.

I don't really care for the badge, but Mercedes-Benz's after sales service is excellent! Can't argue with 3 years of free servicing and 3 years of free airport valet service.