Moms everywhere are going to love Mercedes-Benz for quietly unveiling the all-new B-Class last week right at the showroom of their HQ along EDSA. Reshaped and restyled, it’s also been reconfigured to take in more cargo, plus it’s now loaded with the automaker’s latest driver-machine interface. It keeps the oh-so-smooth versatile shape but the hood has been tweaked ever so slightly to show two subtle lines along the middle to project a ‘power dome’ over the 1.3L turbocharged engine. Aside from the minimalist yet recognizable figure, there’s no mistaking this unit as its façade is double badged – a star emblem on the nose and a large MB logo right in the middle the wide two-louver grille. Halogen headlamps have DRLs while the taillights already use LEDs. There’s a large vent at the bottom of the grille for engine cooling but the two air dams on either side would’ve been better off fitted with fog lamps. A character line runs along the bottom of the chrome window frame, from the front to rear fender, and then another more prominent one at the foot of both doors. It comes standard with 17-inch wheels, but a size or two larger would make it look slimmer and be a better fit in the wheel well. The rear sports a sleek spoiler, a contoured hatch in the form of a trapezoidal air pipe right below the hatch lever, and dual exhausts pipes. Inside is an upgraded cabin that’ll please the kids as it will Mom. Larger space by way of height and width translates to more headroom and elbowroom for the family, or cargo for daddy. The interior is a black-on-silver ensemble with firm leather seats (which are positioned higher), a silver panel on the dashboard, chrome on the aircon vents, three-spoke steering wheel, center tunnel, and a few accents on the door. Rear seats come with a 40-40-20 lay-fold configuration. In a 3-passenger setup, two golf bags can be fit laying down along with a standing check-in-sized luggage. Making its debut is the brand’s latest interface called the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) and it’s impossible to miss with that large 7.4-inch tablet-like touchscreen monitor that responds to the touch of a button or a simple, “Hey Mercedes”. It displays navigation info, connectivity, audio data, climate control, and even ambient lighting. User input can be via voice or on the center console’s touchpad. Aside from being ‘smart’ it can also learn from the user as it’s endowed with artificial intelligence. 136 HP and 200 Nm of torque go to the two front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Priced at P2.690 million, only one trim is available and can now be viewed at all Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the country. Mercedes-Benz says four features capture the essence of the B-Class, space, functionality, versatility, and connectivity. It may appear modest based on looks, but probably has the most to offer the average, practical automobile owner. Launched in 2005 and only in its third-generation, this compact sports tourer is one mommy minivan I won’t mind being in. Text and photos by Eric Tipan