Don’t call Mercedes-Benz’s entry model a hatchback (though, technically, that’s what it is)—the company prefers the upscale title, Sports Tourer.

 

Starting at $31,700, the B 250 gets you behind the wheel of a seemingly exclusive Mercedes-Benz. And, while it might irk the buyers of the brand’s top-end models, this little guy actually offers a lot of bang for its price tag.

 

While its sibling, the sexy GLA crossover, gets a lot of the spotlight, it’s actually the B 250 that should be the most appealing for those in the need of a small, versatile vehicle with good cargo space, an above-average driving experience and the ability to tackle urban life.

 

Aside from the fact that the GLA starts at $37,200, it doesn’t offer much more if all you need are the aforementioned qualities. The B 250 has more cargo space (488 litres vs. 421 litres) and the base-level GLA uses the same 2.0-litre turbo I4 engine as the B 250, which is capable of 208 horsepower and has 258 lb-ft. of torque. It’s all mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

On the road, the B 250 feels sportier than it looks. Its small stature, combined with the quick-shifting nature of the dual clutch and an ample amount of torque, makes it feel like it’s punching well above its weight class.

 

You can cycle through three modes—Economy, Sport and Manual—to alter the vehicle’s responsiveness. Paddle shifters add an upscale driving experience when on Sport mode, while tight turns and zipping through a busy urban core is much like any hatchback—easy and quick, especially in this vehicle. Combined fuel economy comes in at a very respectable 8.9 L/100 km.

 

Unfortunately, the Stop/Start function becomes a bit much to handle when driving in stop-and-go traffic in the city. And, sadly, the vehicle doesn’t remember your preference for this function. If you turn if off during a drive, the next time you enter the vehicle the feature will be turned back on automatically. Sometimes it took a few jolting starts to remind myself that this is a feature I just don’t enjoy.

I drove the 4Matic model, which, alongside a few extra packages—Seat Comfort, Light & Sight Package, Mirror Package and Urban Package—brought the final price up to $41,950. This all adds an air of luxury to the B 250, while keeping the price in a reasonable range.

 

The COMAND infotainment system is good. It utilizes an eight-inch screen that controls everything from navigation to radio. The voice control system is quite accurate, as I rarely had to dictate my commands a second time.

 

And, of course, it comes with an array of safety technology, including Blind Spot Assist, Collision Prevention Assist and Attention Assist (which analyzes the driver’s behaviour to detect whether they are too tired to drive).

 

The Mercedes-Benz B 250, while not as attractive as the GLA, is by far one of your best bets if you want an upscale badge in a small package that delivers a fun ride for a fair price.