Great news for all eco-conscious drivers out there! The 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250e has some exciting updates this year. You can now choose from revised option packages, an Electric Blue interior option, and enjoy Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Plus, with 4G LTE data speed, you can stay connected on-the-go. This compact electric vehicle is the perfect combination of eco-friendliness and utility, offering a true zero-emissions powertrain and a spacious interior that can comfortably fit four people or a lot of cargo. How awesome is that?
The car is powered by a 132-kilowatt electric motor and a 28-kWh lithium-ion battery, both supplied by Tesla Motors. This combination gives the car an operating range of 84 miles, which is pretty good, but similar to other EVs. If you need to recharge, you can do it in 30 hours from a standard 110-volt wall outlet or 3.5 hours with a dedicated 240-volt charging station. Plus, the car's acceleration is impressive, despite its heavy powertrain.
Inside the car, you'll find plenty of space for passengers with good head- and legroom. However, the center seat in the back is only suitable for kids under 10. The cargo hold is also spacious and has a flat load floor, which is great.
Now, the B250e does have a few downsides that might surprise you considering it's a Mercedes. The seats are quite firm and the dashboard trim is made of hard plastic. Plus, some features that you might think would be standard are actually optional. But, it's important to remember that the B-Class is a simple utility package in Europe, and it has a similar personality even with an EV powertrain. Overall, it's a pretty neat car!
If you're looking for a practical EV that stands out from the crowd, the Mercedes B250e might just be the one for you. Of course, there are plenty of other all-electric options available as well. We personally love the BMW i3 for its futuristic design and impressive efficiency and performance, while the Volkswagen e-Golf offers a similar amount of space and enjoyable driving experience. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf are great choices too. However, we have to say that the 2017 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric is a top contender when it comes to being eco-friendly and easy to use around town. Plus, it drives like a dream! This model comes in a four-door hatchback configuration with room for five passengers.
Let's talk about all the great features that come standard with the Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive! You'll enjoy 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, a heated windshield, automatic wipers, air-conditioning, keyless entry, premium vinyl upholstery, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way power lumbar support. Plus, with seat memory settings for up to three drivers and 60/40-split folding rear seats, you'll have plenty of flexibility. The car also includes forward collision mitigation, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 7-inch display screen, Mercedes' COMAND interface and Mbrace emergency communications, and an audio system with a USB port and HD radio. And don't forget about the deep-charging mode for the battery that gives you a few extra miles between recharges!
If you're interested in upgrading your ride, there are several great packages available. The Electric Blue Interior package adds top-stitched blue and gray vinyl upholstery and dash and door trim for a stylish look. The Interior package bundles leather upholstery, heated front seats, multi-color ambient lighting, and top-stitched vinyl dash and door trim for added comfort. The Premium 1 package includes radar-based regenerative braking, keyless entry and ignition, and satellite radio. The Premium 2 package adds high-intensity bi-xenon headlights, auto-dimming driver-side and inside mirrors, a universal garage door opener, an 8-inch video screen display, and a Harman Kardon audio system. And if you really want to go all-out, the Premium 3 package gets you a rearview camera, the COMAND navigation system with voice controls, in-dash CD/DVD player, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration capabilities, and five years of satellite traffic and weather services. There's something for everyone!
It's got some sick stand-alone options like heated front seats, a rearview camera, and even automated parallel parking. Plus, you can get a Smartphone Integration System package with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality. And if you're feeling fancy, there's genuine wood trim and multicolor ambient lighting.
But wait, there's more! Mercedes-Benz also offers a trio of Mbrace system enhancements: Connect, Concierge, and Entertain. Connect has all sorts of smartphone-based services like movie showtimes and airline flight information. Concierge includes traffic, weather, and turn-by-turn navigation guidance. And Entertain has a bunch of streaming radio and music services.
Now, let's talk about what's under the hood. The B250e has a front-mounted 132-kilowatt electric motor connected to a lithium-ion battery pack beneath the floor. That bad boy puts out 177 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque, which is delivered to the front wheels.
The EPA estimated range for this bad boy is 84 miles, which is 85 mpge in the city and 82 mpge on the highway. And if that's not enough for you, there's a standard range-extending feature that gives you an extra 15 miles of range. But Mercedes says you should only use it occasionally to prevent the battery from crapping out too soon.
So, when it comes to recharging, it can take anywhere from 30 hours on regular old household power to 3.5 hours with a fancy 240-volt charging station. The EPA rates the B250e's efficiency at 40 kWh of electric power used for 100 miles of driving, which is a lot more juice than the BMW i3's rating of 27 kWh per 100 miles. Basically, the B-Class uses up more power to go the same distance.
But let's talk speed. During testing, the B-Class Electric went from zero to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. That's about 2 seconds faster than most electric cars out there, and even 1.2 seconds faster than what Mercedes-Benz claims. The only EVs that beat it in speed are the BMW i3 (6.6 seconds) and the Tesla Model S (4.4 seconds).
Inside, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250e has pretty good headroom and adult-sized legroom in the backseat, which is pretty rare for a compact EV. The seats are a bit too firm for our liking, but hey, at least you won't be sitting in them for too long since the car only has a cruising range of around 80 miles per charge.
So the inside of the Mercedes B250e is pretty quiet and looks pretty fly, just like you'd expect from a Mercedes. But, there's a bunch of hard plastic that's kind of a bummer. Luckily, you can upgrade to leather and wood trim if you want. The screen for the COMAND system looks like it was just thrown on there as an afterthought, which is kinda whack.
But, one thing this ride has going for it is the cargo space. You got a whopping 21.6 cubic feet of room back there even with the rear seats up. And, if you fold those seats down, you're looking at over 50 cubic feet of space. That's legit.
When you're driving this electric whip, you'll notice some of the same things you've come to expect from electric cars, like quick acceleration right off the line. And, even though it's pretty heavy at 3,900 pounds, it's still got some power. Plus, you can mess around with different driving modes and brake settings to get the performance you want. So, if you need to haul some people or cargo, this ride's got you covered.
Check out the adjustable regenerative braking on this car! You can control it manually with these paddle shifters on the steering wheel or just let it do its thing and adjust based on the traffic in front of you. And the best part? It feels totally natural, none of that weird surging you get with other systems.
Only thing is, the suspension is a bit firm so you might feel it on longer rides. Not a big deal for short trips, but you'd expect something smoother for the price tag. Overall though, this car is super refined and practical. It can haul a ton of stuff and go for miles, all while reminding you that utility is its middle name.