With a starting price of $42,375 announced for the all-new, all-electric Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive and our chance for some time behind the wheel, now seems like a great time to dig deeper into the ever-increasing segment of pure electric vehicles. The world of compact EVs is growing, with a wide range of choices for the consumer. But how does the first compact EV flaunting the three-pointed star to be sold here stack up against the competition?
Let’s start by addressing the 3984-pound gorilla in the room: $42K is a big chunk of change for any kind of car—gas-powered or electric—and Mercedes is taking a bold step in slapping a luxury-car price tag on a sprite-sized EV. Even after the federal tax credit of up to $7500 is factored in (various state/local tax credits can further reduce the cost for an EV), $34,875 could still be called pricey.
Prices for compact EVs span a wide range; however, the B-class takes the dubious honor of being the most expensive electric compact on sale. Close behind the B-class (by a mere $100) is the all-new BMW i3, which starts at $42,275 for the entry-level “Mega World” model. (Note to the bean counters at Mercedes: Seriously? You do realize that leading the “Most Expensive Compact EV” category is not something to brag about, right? Couldn’t you guys have found a way to be cheaper by $100?)
As you might expect (or at least have the audacity to hope), in terms of power, the B-class is near the top, featuring an electric-drive system sourced from Tesla. Output is 177 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque; Mercedes says that is good enough for a 0–60 time of 7.9 seconds. (The table below is comprised of our own test numbers except where noted.)
†Manufacturer’s estimate
Mercedes estimates a range of 85 miles for the B-class ED, which puts it near the top of the class. Like the B-class, official EPA numbers are not available yet for the BMW i3, but BMW estimates a minimum range of 70 miles. We recently had the chance to put six of the other competitors (the Chevrolet Spark EV, the Fiat 500E, the Ford Focus Electric, the Honda Fit EV, the Nissan Leaf, and the Smart Fortwo ED) through one of our comprehensive comparison tests, where we measured their performance and obtained real-world numbers for both range and MPGe. What we learned is that there’s a substantial difference between the numbers on the window sticker and what you actually achieve on the road.
†BMW i3 and Mercedes B-class ED not yet tested
- 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-class ED First Drive Review: B is for ’Burbs
- Mercedes-Benz B-class Buyer’s Guide: Full Pricing, Specs, Photos, and More
- Compact EVs Compared: 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV vs. 2013 Fiat 500E, and Four Others
In much the same way that range varies under real-world circumstances, the MPGe—or MPGequivalent, as it is referred to for electric vehicles—of an EV can also differ widely from its EPA estimate. Although our comparison-test figures were obtained over a relatively short 100-mile loop, the MPGe numbers we saw should be what owners can expect to achieve.
†Numbers not available for BMW i3 and Mercedes B-class ED
Competition is starting to heat up in this small but important segment, and even if they won’t be setting any sales records, electric vehicles of all sizes—not just in the compact segment—are here to stay.
The B-class ED is distinctively styled, nicely equipped, and offers some class-leading attributes, all with the formidable engineering reputation of Mercedes behind it. But will the price prove to be an insurmountable hurdle for the littlest Benz?
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