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Counterpoint: B250e Edmunds Review

I was in the market for a used EV, and drove several different models including the B-Class Electric, e-Golf, Focus Electric, Leaf, Soul EV, Spark EV, Volt, and of course...a Tesla Model S P90D. Unfortunately, I didn't have a spare $80K jingling in my pocket for the latter, and I set a budget at under $25,000.
Readers should not be put off by the lukewarm Edmunds review of the B250e. As used EV's go, there isn't anything else out there (short of a Tesla) that can match the B250e for it's level of luxury, overall packaging, and fewest number of EV-related compromises.. After months of research & comparing EV's, I bought a well optioned, used 2014 B250e with only 6700 miles on it for less than 50% of MSRP. An absolute steal.
To expand on one of the reviewer's points:
"And despite that vaunted Teutonic efficiency, the B250 isn't very efficient in its use of power. On our Edmunds EV testing loop, a 2014 B-Class EV traveled an impressive 105 miles before it ran out of juice, but it used nearly 50 percent more energy than did a Volkswagen e-Golf along the same roads."
Most people don't care how "efficient" their EV's are - only how far they can travel on a charge. In real-world testing, both the B and e-Golf have about the same range, but the B250e is physically much larger, and has a larger Tesla-supplied 36kWh (28kWh usable) battery with thermal battery management features that the VW doesn't offer. Tesla is the undisputed king of EV powertrains. The fact that this technology is (currently) included in the Mercedes EV offering is a big competitive advantage.
My point is that readers should take "professional" reviews with a grain of salt. Edmunds loves the Spark EV, and gave it a 4.9 / 5.0 review score. On paper, the Spark EV is an incredible car but in my experience, the Spark felt like driving a small, low-rent econobox...my wife even commented that she "didn't feel safe" in it. Clearly, Internet reviews are a good place to start but can't replace seat time and your own hands-on experience.
Readers should not be put off by the lukewarm Edmunds review of the B250e. As used EV's go, there isn't anything else out there (short of a Tesla) that can match the B250e for it's level of luxury, overall packaging, and fewest number of EV-related compromises.. After months of research & comparing EV's, I bought a well optioned, used 2014 B250e with only 6700 miles on it for less than 50% of MSRP. An absolute steal.
To expand on one of the reviewer's points:
"And despite that vaunted Teutonic efficiency, the B250 isn't very efficient in its use of power. On our Edmunds EV testing loop, a 2014 B-Class EV traveled an impressive 105 miles before it ran out of juice, but it used nearly 50 percent more energy than did a Volkswagen e-Golf along the same roads."
Most people don't care how "efficient" their EV's are - only how far they can travel on a charge. In real-world testing, both the B and e-Golf have about the same range, but the B250e is physically much larger, and has a larger Tesla-supplied 36kWh (28kWh usable) battery with thermal battery management features that the VW doesn't offer. Tesla is the undisputed king of EV powertrains. The fact that this technology is (currently) included in the Mercedes EV offering is a big competitive advantage.
My point is that readers should take "professional" reviews with a grain of salt. Edmunds loves the Spark EV, and gave it a 4.9 / 5.0 review score. On paper, the Spark EV is an incredible car but in my experience, the Spark felt like driving a small, low-rent econobox...my wife even commented that she "didn't feel safe" in it. Clearly, Internet reviews are a good place to start but can't replace seat time and your own hands-on experience.
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2016 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Hatchback Review
Feel free to write up a consumer review too. Thanks!