That's a lot of stuff, and if offered with any one of the entry-level brands mentioned would probably up the price close to $20,000. I
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| The B200 is proof that it's expensive to build economy hatchback's in Germany. All of its Japanese and Korean competitors offer much more for much less. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
suppose if you compared it to a compact model that is sized about the same as the B200, at least in width, height and wheelbase, say the new Mazda5, which is probably unfair because the Japanese equivalent offers an extra row and with it another seat, more cargo capacity, an additional 23 horsepower and 12 lb-ft of torque, tilt and telescopic steering and other goodies, but, other than these items and again the difference in length, it's probably the closest in purpose to M-B's people hauler, so it will have to serve as a comparison. That Mazda, by the way, starts at $19,995 in base trim but costs $22,795 when outfitted to match similar features as on the B200. Even loaded with an automatic transmission, automatic climate control and metallic paint - the latter a $195 option with the Mazda5 and, ahem, $890 option with the B-Class - the
Mazda5 only costs
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| For the $1,200 Premium Package these plain-jane door handles get chrome trim. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
$25,000, which makes the price of stepping up to a three-pointed star closer to $6,000 than $5,000. But to some people it will be worth it.
Of course, if we were truly comparing apples to apples we'd have to add a few options to the Mercedes to bring it up to the Mazda's equipment level, such as that metallic paint I mentioned a minute ago... oh, and aluminum wheels, for instance. To do the latter you'd have to opt for the $1,200 Premium Package, which unfortunately would only add 16-inch alloy wheels to the
B200 instead of 17s which come in the top-line Mazda5 (you can get 17-inch rims as a $1,315 option when you buck up for the much more expensive
B200 Turbo), but you would get additional chrome trim on the radiator grille, bumpers, fog lamp surrounds, door handles and shoulder line, which would probably look out of place on the Mazda5 anyway.
