Caught in a no-man’s land between the conventional A-class compact and the on-trend GLA and GLB crossovers, the Mercedes B-Class is looking conspicuously irrelevant. But that hasn’t stopped the company whipping its design team into action to freshen up the hatch-cum-minivan for another few years on sale.
The third-generation B-Class was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2018 and rides on the same 107.4-in (2,729 mm) wheelbase as the A-class sedan and hatchback, the CLA, and the GLA. But while its lower body styling shows plenty in common with the A-Class, the upper body is much larger to give passengers more room to wear hats or whatever it is they need more headroom for. You also get a larger trunk.
Changes for the mid-life refresh closely follow those we’ve seen in spy shots of the facelifted 2023 A-Class hatch and sedan, which are also poised for release this year. Though the disguise makes it difficult to see the updates clearly, the new B-Class appears to have received tweaks to its headlights, grille, and lower bumper area. The taillights also show a subtly different design just visible beneath the disguise.
With a wide dashboard display blending a digital gauge pack and central infotainment display, plus smart circular air vents that reinforce the family connection to much more expensive Mercs, the 2022 B-Class interior wasn’t in need of any drastic updates. So changes are expected to be minor and include detail tweaks like a new steering wheel and center console, plus new graphics of the digital displays. We also understand Mercedes is dropping the MBUX trackpad, meaning drivers will control the car’s functions via a combination of spoken commands, pressing buttons on the steering wheel, and touching the screen itself.
Related: 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV Uses Face-Detect Camera Tech To Let Passengers Watch TV, But Not Driver
We’re not expecting to see any big changes under the hood, either. The current B-Class engine range starts with a choice of 134 hp (136 PS) 1.3-liter petrol motor in the B180, or 114 hp (116 hp) 2.0-liter in the B180d, and tops out with the B250 e. The hybrid combines a 158 hp (160 PS) 1.3 gas engine with a 75 kW (101 hp/102 PS) electric motor.
Like the pre-facelift car, the updated B-Class won’t be coming to the U.S., which also doesn’t get the A-Class hatchback, and is in the process of phasing out the A-Class sedan, as is Canada. But European markets will be able to buy the 2023 B-class by the end of this year. The question is, with car buyers catered so comprehensively by the A-Class, GLA, and GLB, and increasingly moving towards crossovers, will anyone notice?
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