2023 Mercedes-Benz B-Class revealed, due in Australia next year

The updated 2023 Mercedes-Benz B-Class has been revealed, ahead of its Australian launch in the third quarter of next year.

Mirroring the related 2023 A-Class, the practical five-seat B-Class MPV gains a reshaped ‘star pattern’ grille, redesigned headlight internals, modified tail-lights, and new alloy wheel designs.

There is also 48-volt mild-hybrid technology as standard, with an integrated starter-generator – which replaces a traditional starter motor and alternator – providing 10kW more power in 'EQ Boost' mode.

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In Australia, the line-up will likely remain limited to the sole B180 variant, offered in standard or AMG-Line styles.

A plug-in hybrid B250e is offered overseas, with the same updates as the A250e for 2023, including a more powerful electric motor and 11kW AC charge rate, up from 7.4kW.

Inside, the new-style steering wheel from the C-, E- and S-Class has filtered down to the B-Class, finished in Nappa leather as standard.

The centre console has been simplified, with Mercedes-Benz removing the touchpad for its infotainment system, and repositioning the volume and drive mode controls.

However, an updated version of the current MBUX system remains, unlike the C-Class and S-Class, which feature a portrait-orientated unit positioned closer to the driver.

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Mercedes-Benz has revised the software, allowing for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a revised 360-degree camera, "newly-designed" display styles, machine learning, and the ability to speak to the voice assistant without saying 'Hey, Mercedes' first in some instances.

A fingerprint sensor on the centre console will identify and authenticate the driver, while the brand has fitted an additional USB-C port.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will arrive in Australia in the third quarter of next year (July to September inclusive).

Local pricing and full details will be announced closer to launch.

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The current 2022 Mercedes-Benz B-Class starts from $51,789 before on-road costs, with a minor price rise likely for the updated model.

While it has achieved only 234 sales year-to-date, the B-Class faces no five-seat MPV competitors, with the similarly-shaped BMW 2 Series Active Tourer discontinued in Australia two years ago.

A second-generation BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was unveiled in late 2021, but remains off-limits for Australia.

Even mainstream offerings, such as the Toyota Prius V, Kia Rondo and Citroën C4 Picasso, have disappeared from the local market over the past decade.