Mercedes-Benz B-class facelift front end
Mercedes-Benz B-class facelift front end, white
Mercedes-Benz B-class facelift cabin
Mercedes-Benz B-class facelift phev charging
► Mercedes B-class gets mid-life facelift► Power upgrades and petrol become mild hybrids
► Optional fingerprint recognition available
Mercedes-Benz has facelifted its sports tourer, the B-Class, revamping the looks and bringing in new options including a new sensor that recognises the driver by their fingerprint.
The engines have also been lightly upgraded and it gains the latest MBUX infotainment system.
The exterior styling changes are not exactly drastic, but bring a new grille and front bumper and rear LED lights as standard, which are all designed to give the B-Class a sportier look.
The more notable, but still not huge, changes come to the engine range. It will come with an upgraded range of petrol engines, which are now supported by a mild hybrid system, and a more powerful plug-in hybrid version.
What are the engine changes?
All of the petrol engines in the B-Class now come with a 48V battery that provides some support to the powertrain, acting as a mild-hybrid system. This brings a 10kW – 13hp – power boost and helps reduce noise and vibration during the start up process. It also allows the engine to ‘sail’ or switch off during steady cruising.
The plug-in hybrid models get a slight boost in power, too, thanks to an upgraded battery. The upgrades mean it can be plugged into an 11kW charger – it could only go into a 7.4kW post before. The electric motor also gets a 7hp power boost
Is the tech facelifted too?
The neatest sounding new trick in the updated B-Class is a fingerprint sensor, which Mercedes says will allow you to ‘identify and authorise’ the driver, removing the need to clutch onto a key at all times. This will be available as of the first quarter in 2023.
The car will also feature the latest generation of MBUX with Mercedes’ voice assistant, which it says has got better at learning how you speak. Not only can this virtual assistant help with tasks if you don’t want to use the touchscreen, but it can also help with navigating yourself around the car, such as assisting with how to connect your smartphone
The new B-Class will also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as USB and USB-C ports. The driver is also greeted by a dual-screen driving display including a 7.0 inch instrument cluster, which can be upgraded to a 10.25 inches, alongside a 10.25 inch infotainment screen.
Trim levels and pricing
Although UK specs have yet to be confirmed, Mercedes says that it has boosted the levels of standard equipment on the base model B Class. Think kit like a reversing camera, dual screens, and nappa leather steering wheel.
Pricing is yet to be finalised for the UK, too, but the upgrades to the engines might well see an increase on the outgoing car’s £33,775 starting price.
Keyword: Mercedes-Benz B-Class facelift - the lightest of updates