While buying a used electric vehicle might sound ludicrous to some, it can prove to be an under-the-radar bargain for others. Take the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, for example, which was a short-lived, Tesla-powered compact EV with a short-range battery pack. It might not sound like much to some people, but to others, it’s a downright steal.

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class itself was under-the-radar

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class was produced in the U.S. from 2014 to 2017, yet we wouldn’t be surprised if no one actually noticed. According to Electrek, the German automaker only sold only 3,651 units during the time it was in production, and additionally, the car itself didn’t look too unique.

During its time in the market, the Mercedes B-Class competed with the likes of the Chevrolet Bolt and the BMW i3, both of which had a longer range and interesting aesthetics. The B-Class, on the other hand, looked more like a minivan in comparison and was only able to muster around 80 miles on a single charge.

For the average commuter, that mileage isn’t terrible, especially if their daily commute is around 25 miles each way. Also, since the B-Class is a gas/diesel model overseas, it’s able to seat up to five passengers in relative comfort as compared to the BMW and the Chevy, which were solely designed around their powertrains, making less room for space. In some ways, the B-Class’s bland looks are actually more utilitarian than you might think.

What about that Tesla powertrain?

When creating the all-electric B-Class, Mercedes-Benz partnered up with Tesla to create the powertrain, which consisted of a 132-kW electric motor that produces 177 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a single-speed transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Edmunds says that the battery pack can be charged fully in 30 hours using a regular 110-volt outlet while using a 240-volt charging station will lead to a 3.5-hour charge time.

The two automakers had a deal back in 2012 when the Tesla Model S was created as Mercedes provided some of the parts for that car while Tesla provided the powertrain for the B-Class.

What else does the Mercedes B-Class come with?

To complement the B-Class’ subtle styling, a set of 17-inch aerodynamic wheels sit underneath the fenders while on the inside, the car is clad in the typical Mercedes materials. There’s leather everywhere and the switchgear on the dash and center console is straight out of other Mercedes models like the C-Class of the same vintage, for example.

Despite the car’s rather dated looks, there’s plenty of room for all five passengers and as an added bonus, there are even trays on the backs of the front seats so those rear occupants can enjoy a meal while being whisked around in quiet comfort.

In the front seat area, there is everything you would expect from a Mercedes, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, navigation, USB, and Apple Carplay, but not Android Auto. Also, let’s not forget the immaculate attention to detail and the superb fit and finish that comes with every Mercedes, the B-Class has that too.

Is buying a Mercedes-Benz B-Class worth it?

When it was new, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class retailed for around $41,000 and up to $48,000 depending on the extra packages that it was equipped with. However, we found a decent amount of the Mercedes B-Class’ for sale nationwide for just $12,000 to $15,000. So, if you’re in the market for a luxurious electric vehicle that can take you around town in style, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class could be for you.