The 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class should go on sale in 2011. The European version of the current B-Class is pictured here. See pictures of the 2010 BMW 1-Series.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Small cars are big business now, so this Euro-market premium compact is again headed for America, only redesigned this time. With typical Benz virtues in a more fuel-efficient package, the B-Class promises solid competition for the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.

What We Know About the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Almost everyone is feeling pinched these days, even well-heeled consumers and the tony brands they favor. With the economy still dragging and fuel prices high, buyers of all kinds are clamoring for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Mercedes-Benz can't afford not to capitalize on this trend, especially with homeland rivals Audi and BMW plotting to do the same. That's why industry gossips believe a redesigned version of Mercedes' Euro-market B-Class premium compact is coming over to anchor the U.S. lineup. Due to slot below the C-Class in size and price, it will be the smallest Mercedes passenger car ever sold in America.

The current B-Class is a 4-door hatchback that launched in 2005 and was refreshed in early 2008. Also sold in Canada, it's a sort of upscale take on tall, family-friendly wagons like the Mazda 5 and KiaRondo, as well as a baby brother to M-B's big R-Class "sports tourer." Trade weekly Automotive News expects the new version to reach North America in calendar 2011, probably as a 2012 entry.

Mercedes had planned on a B-Class for the U.S. back in 2006, and the car was designed for federal safety and emissions standards with that in mind. When the dollar began to weaken against the euro, M-B's U.S. team pulled the plug, concluding that worsening exchange rates would price the B-Class out of its intended market to the detriment of sales and profits. Things are different now, and rabid demand for the Toyota Prius hybrid, BMW's Mini Cooper, and similar small cars shows that Americans can be persuaded to buy fairly pricey fuel-sippers, hence Mercedes' change of heart.

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

• Consumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
• Mercedes-Benz: Read Consumer Guide's full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
• Premium Compact Cars: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will compete in the premium compact car class. Here's Consumer Guide's roundup of all the premium compact cars on sale today.
• 2008 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners:
  Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2008.
• Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.