Choosing a car is a difficult, responsible, but exciting task, especially when you buy a car for yourself.
It is important to understand that not everyone needs it, and not everyone can afford premium models, large SUVs, luxury sedans, etc.
Statistics clearly show that an impressive part of the Russian car market is occupied by European B-class cars.
But due to the huge selection of such cars, you have to carefully analyze their capabilities, characteristics and buy only the most reliable, successful models.
B-Class Features
Before moving on to the rating among B-class cars, you need to understand which cars belong to it and how they differ.
There is an accepted EEC (Economic Commission for Europe) classification among passenger cars. Models of the B-class, also known as the small class, are considered separately here.
The B-class includes small-sized, inexpensive cars that are suitable for use in cities, as well as on city highways. They do not have outstanding speed performance. They also do not demonstrate any special off-road capabilities.
Compared to the also popular C-class (aka golf class), the cars in question are smaller in size. Their length does not exceed 3900 mm, and their width is up to 1700 mm.
If we talk about the engine, then the volume usually does not exceed 1.6 liters, and the maximum speed does not go beyond 150 km/h. In this case, small deviations from the characteristic features of the B-class are allowed, in which the cars cannot be classified as A- or C-class.
The B-class wins over the A-class due to better dynamics, internal combustion engine power, a spacious trunk and interior.
Experts, as well as ordinary car enthusiasts, highlight several main strengths of this class of cars:
- low fuel consumption due to small-volume and economical engines;
- low maintenance costs;
- compact external dimensions with decent internal space (interior and trunk);
- good maneuverability in urban conditions;
- reliability and confidence on the country road.
Basically, B-class cars are presented in sedan, hatchback and liftback body styles. Station wagons are less common, although they are in well-deserved demand on the market.
For operation in mixed highway and city conditions, these are in many ways the optimal machines in terms of price, quality and technical characteristics.
TOP fastest compact cars.
Most experts and automotive publications traditionally pay a lot of attention to powerful sports cars, and along with this, many E or S class vehicles. It is still believed that all expensive mid-size premium cars, along with their brothers, sports vehicles, are faster than any other car. But in reality this is far from the case. For example, the new generation of Porsche 911 cars accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. But the BMW M135i actually accelerates even faster. Or take the BMW M5 model, which accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, or compare this acceleration with the Mercedes AMG A45, which reaches this speed even faster. This tells us that the powerful compact B-Class sports cars are not yet to be written off, they easily compete with their older brothers and sisters in the automobile market. We, dear friends, have collected for you in our article the fastest compact cars that are sold today on the global car market.
2021 rating among B-class cars
Now it’s worth exploring the best cars of the 2021 B-Class in question.
Cars that are in stable demand will be presented here, are often included in reliability and quality ratings in their segment, and have managed to prove themselves well in Russian conditions.
This rating considers the list only of those class B cars according to the European classification that are officially sold or produced in the Russian Federation. Models imported through gray dealers are not taken into account.
Since it is impossible to determine only one best car in this class, since the B-class is very popular in Russia, the top 10 leaders were formed.
This list includes models from the following brands:
- Lada.
- Renault.
- Skoda
- Kia.
- Hyundai.
- Volkswagen.
- Peugeot.
- Ford.
Moreover, only one brand is represented by two models at once.
Next, we will separately consider cars that are representatives of the B-class.
Lada Granta
A very inexpensive car, and according to many, even the best in Russia among B-class competitors. If we take into account only the number of cars sold, then Grant would have no equal.
A budget option that rightfully opens the top 10. A subcompact car that replaced the classics from VAZ, Samara and Kalina. Immediately after the appearance of the Grant, queues lined up and people had to wait 3-4 months to get a car.
Initially, a sedan was presented in May 2011. Then a liftback, a hatchback, and a station wagon appeared. A cross version is also available, but in fact it is a Grant station wagon with slightly increased ground clearance and a modified appearance.
Despite the barrage of criticism against the Granta, this is almost the best car you can get for the money. There are no analogues. And in general the car is frankly not bad. Therefore, a well-deserved place among the leaders.
Renault Sandero
Development started in 2005, and the presentation took place in the winter of 2007. In Europe, the new product appeared in 2008, but under the Dacia brand.
This is a subcompact hatchback, which is actually the brother of the well-known Logan. They use the same front-wheel drive platform. Although officially this is an independent model from Renault.
The developers sought to make an inexpensive, simple and mass-produced machine. Unlike Logan, the new generation Renault Sandero has a more attractive appearance for young buyers.
High-quality assembly, affordable price, simple maintenance make Sandero a deserved leader among B-class models.
This can also include the crossover version of the Sandero Stepway. The car was raised a little above ground level, external touches from the crossover were added, but the inside remained the same. The result exceeded expectations.
Skoda Rapid
When choosing the best cars representing the European B-class segment, it would be a serious mistake not to include the Rapid from the Czech manufacturer.
The car will cost more than Granta and Sandero. But it will also offer much more. Relatively recently, namely at the end of 2021, the premiere of the second generation Rapid took place in St. Petersburg.
The car is available in a liftback body, which is very reminiscent of a classic sedan. In Europe, the hatchback turned out to be quite popular. Plus there is a roomy and practical station wagon.
Rapid belongs to the subcompact class, based on the European classification. Although here Skoda used a little trick. Actual dimensions do not correspond to B-class. The car turned out to be bigger. This benefits in terms of interior roominess and trunk volume. But it doesn’t quite live up to the C-class either.
After the generation change, Rapid became younger, more attractive and more energetic in appearance. A worthy replacement for the once popular Skoda Fabia.
You can’t get a Rapid in normal configuration for less than 1 million, which can’t be said about Granta or Sandero. This is a model of a higher level of performance. The top trim levels include equipment that is found in many manufacturers only on cars of at least the C-class.
Kia Rio
For a number of reasons, for many people this is the best car among all representatives of the B-class according to the European classification.
At one time, due to the appearance of Rio, Kia gained long-awaited independence. A real bestseller from the South Korean brand.
But it is important to bring some clarity here. The first subcompact car with the name Kia Rio appeared in 2000. It was a car assembled according to the same principle for all countries where the new product was introduced.
But 11 years later, major changes have occurred. The Korean company divided the model into 2 completely different branches. A more expensive version is being developed for the USA and European countries. This is manifested in design terms, as well as in equipment, engines, etc.
And there is a special version aimed mainly at China, Russia and the so-called developing countries. They are already offering a simplified version, with a different design and cheaper components.
At the same time, it cannot be said that the domestic Rio is terrible. No, this is a great car for very little money. Although there are configurations on sale for less than 1 million rubles, they are not worth taking. There is practically nothing inside.
Kia Rio demonstrates sales results that are enviable for many manufacturers. Now Rio is on the list of best-selling cars in Russia and the CIS. Therefore, a well-deserved inclusion in the 2021 ranking, which contains the best B-class cars.
Hyundai Solaris
If you see a Kia Rio, then somewhere nearby there will always be a Hyundai Solaris. The cars are technically very similar, since they were developed jointly by Hyundai and Kia.
To whom Rio is inferior in popularity and sales among foreign cars in Russia, it is only Solaris.
This is an inexpensive front-wheel drive car that belongs to the European B-class. In fact, the South Koreans adapted their Accent model (from the 4th generation) to the Russian market and turned it into an independent new product under the name Solaris.
This machine is produced in full cycle in St. Petersburg. Hence the affordable price, good service, availability of any spare parts and consumables. An extremely profitable machine to use.
The new product was first introduced in 2010, but mass production started only in 2011. The sedan was shown first. A few months later, assembly of the hatchback began.
The new, namely the second, generation was officially introduced in the winter of 2017. After 3 years, a planned restyling took place, which pleasantly changed the appearance and touched on some technical aspects.
If you do not take into account AvtoVAZ cars, then the Hyundai Solaris is the most popular and best-selling car. Therefore, the presence of the model in the rating is beyond any doubt.
Renault Logan
In fact, it all started with him. At one time, the French concern Renault set out to create an inexpensive car for developing countries. It had to be structurally simple, affordable, but at the same time high-quality and reliable. This is how the first generation of Renault Renault Logan appeared. In some countries it is sold under the name Dacia Logan, which is due to the joint development of Renault and Dacia.
Although Logan is inferior in sales to Solaris, it is still one of the best cars in its class. If not the best, considering the price/quality ratio.
If taking a Solaris or Rio for less than 1.1-1.2 million rubles is not an option due to the meager equipment, then taking a Logan for less than 900 thousand is quite possible.
In addition to the classic sedan, Renault Logan is also offered as a station wagon and is called Logan MCV. With the advent of the second generation Logan, modified for Russia in 2021, an all-terrain sedan was added to the line. Yes, based on the 2nd generation Logan they made a cross-version of the Logan Stepway sedan. It seems strange, but the car turned out to be extremely interesting. The already solid ground clearance has increased.
Volkswagen Polo
This is not just a separate model, but a whole family of cars produced under the German Volkswagen brand.
The first Polo turned out to be a redesigned version of the Audi 50. A successful marketing ploy of its time.
In general, the main representative of the Polo family is considered to be a hatchback, available in 3 and 5-door versions. There is also a station wagon and a sedan.
In the case of Russia, we are talking only about the Polo Sedan. This is a special version developed for the Russian market. It is completely assembled here. At the same time, Polo hatchbacks and station wagons are no longer officially sold in Russia.
Alas, the European version is significantly different from the Russian one. Many are even sure that classifying the Polo Sedan as a Volkswagen is wrong and unfair. From the German mark there is only the name.
But sales, as well as customer reviews, show that this is not fundamentally important for them. As a result, the Polo Sedan is an inexpensive, but reliable and well-equipped car. Feels good in Russian conditions. Not afraid of frost and local roads. Cheap to maintain.
Peugeot 208
The French car, representing the European B-class, has an original and attractive appearance. The model is mostly aimed at a female audience.
A good car that is in demand and popular in Europe. Officially presented in Russia.
Yes, it is inferior in sales to more famous competitors. But it is still a worthy representative of its class.
Easy to operate, affordable to maintain. Although many Peugeot models, like Citroen, are complained about due to ill-conceived design, in the case of 208 complaints are minimal.
With each new generation, the Peugeot 208 becomes more original and modern, new technologies appear. The machine is equipped with economical motors.
Ford Fiesta
An American brand car that is often found on Russian roads. Now the 7th generation of this model is being produced. The latest seventh generation officially debuted back in November 2016. The latest version is presented in the form of a cross-hatchback and has been sold in Europe since 2021.
Fiesta has an attractive appearance, modern equipment, and an impressive selection of power units. Depending on the generation, you can take a classic three-door hatchback, a five-door model, or a sedan.
The car is roomy, practical and reliable. Received high marks for safety, in which it surpasses a number of competitors.
You shouldn’t count on the appearance of the 7th generation Fiesta in Russia in the next few years. The thing is that they recently launched the full assembly cycle of the 6th generation Fiesta at the Ford Sollers plant, located in Naberezhnye Chelny. Yes, we are talking about 2017, but since the life cycle of a generation is on average 6 years, the transition to the 7th generation should not be expected until 2023.
The European B-class is one of the most popular in the world. This is the optimal balance between affordable price, spaciousness, efficiency, dynamics and reliability. Finding high-quality C-class representatives for less than 1.5 million rubles is an impossible task when it comes to new cars. In the case of the B-class, you can spend even less than 1 million and still get a car of a decent level. And the presented rating is proof of this.
What do you think about B-class cars? Which car would you choose for yourself? Who was included or excluded from the ranking and why?
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VW Golf R DSG
0 - 100 km/h: 4.9 seconds.
Continuing our review of the fastest compact cars, as you can see, with the VW Golf R DSG model we made a sharp jump in acceleration to one hundred kilometers per hour, by more than half a second. By the way, this car model can even compete with the Bentley Flying Spur V8 in terms of acceleration dynamics. Thus, it turns out that in today’s car market, instead of buying a Bentley Flying Spur (which looks outdated), you can buy a VW Golf R DSG, which will be faster than the same car that costs four times more money.(!)
