As soon as a high vendor, the C-Class is a staple however not a star within the Mercedes-Benz vary.
As of late the Three-Pointed Star’s mid-size govt sedan performs second fiddle to the GLC and GLE SUVs, and is commonly neck-and-neck within the gross sales race with the smaller A-Class vary.
For the most recent (W206) mannequin launched in Australia in 2022, Mercedes-Benz streamlined the vary in keeping with its company mannequin rollout. Costs are properly up, too.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan stays a dear possibility. At $95,900 earlier than on-road prices it’s risen by $5500 in a few years – making it over $100,000 on the highway earlier than you add non-obligatory colors and packages.
It’s aligned with its arch nemesis, the BMW 330i Sedan (from $94,700), however the Benz nonetheless wants a number of bins ticked to make it a correct luxurious expertise with all of the obtainable options and tech on provide.
With sedan gross sales on the decline, and the associated GLC 300 SUV one other $10,000 dearer than this mid-spec C-Class, is that this luxurious staple nonetheless price a glance?
Regardless of solely delicate electrification and growing competitors at this finish of the market from mass-market EVs of comparable measurement, the C-Class nonetheless has one thing to supply for the everyday Benz purchaser.
How does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in opposition to equally sized autos.
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class price?
Costs have slowly crept up because the current-generation C-Class launched in 2022. The vary now opens with the C 200 Night time Version from $86,900 plus on-road prices or $89,990 drive-away.
On check we’ve the C 300 Sedan, which at the moment is priced from $95,900 earlier than on-road prices. Drive-away, you’re taking a look at over $100,000 – that’s lots for a four-cylinder sedan.
Costs exclude on-road prices.
To see how the C-Class traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
What’s the Mercedes-Benz C-Class like on the within?
The C-Class impresses has a number of showroom attraction with its large screens and sweeping sprint design. It feels much more trendy than its predecessor.
Look nearer and there’s a number of fingerprint-prone gloss black surfaces and a few more durable, scratchier supplies used decrease down within the cabin, and we’ve had points with the sliding drawer on the centre console being grabby or squeaky.
Forward of the driving force is Mercedes-Benz’s newest steering wheel with double-decker touch-capacitive spokes and a chunky, perforated Nappa leather-based rim. Not like a few of the trimmings, this feels actually upmarket and futuristic.
The brand new controls might take a little bit of getting used to, although. The humorous form and small management space imply you could not at all times discover these controls to be correct, and at occasions it’s simply plain annoying.
Adjusting adaptive cruise management requires a diagonal swipe on a curved floor, so I used to be frequently going up or down by an excessive amount of or simply plain urgent the incorrect factor.
Behind the steering wheel is a free-standing 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a well-recognized Mercedes feel and look. Being MBUX 2.0 there’s an unlimited array of layouts and widgets debuted within the S-Class.
As we’ve come to count on, graphics are crisp, refresh charges are slick, and there’s loads of configurability whereas additionally retaining its personal persona in comparison with the digital cockpits from rivals.
Consolation up entrance is sweet due to the well-bolstered, supportive sports activities seats that come as commonplace with electrical adjustment (together with lumbar). Reminiscence settings are commonplace within the C 300, too.
I discovered the footwell to be unusually tight although, with my left foot too giant to take a seat on the foot relaxation with out wedging in opposition to the plastic lining. The identical factor occurred within the GLC, and even the E-Class in my current testing.
The pièce de résistance is the beautiful 11.9-inch portrait oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which juts out of the centre console as if Mercedes has bonded an iPad to the C-Class’s inside.
Working the MBUX 2.0 interface, the system helps over-the-air (OTA) software program updates and even incorporates a fingerprint scanner to unlock – very like we’re used to in smartphones.
The feel and appear is acquainted, however you get a bigger show and built-in local weather controls over to the primary MBUX. All of it works fairly properly, and you might spend hours flicking by way of the menus and settings although it’s far much less convoluted than earlier than.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace, and the previous labored properly throughout our mortgage if with the odd dropout in identified lifeless spots round Melbourne. Related companies and DAB radio are additionally included.
Regardless of the medium measurement classification, the C-Class and its rivals have by no means been standout for rear practicality. The brand new C-Class does provide extra room than its predecessor, partly due to an extra 25mm of wheelbase.
At 6’1 I match behind my driving place simply high quality, however if you would like extra luxurious lodging you’re higher off wanting on the extra spacious GLC SUV.
Rear air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, rear map pockets, and bottle holders within the door are commonplace fare, although it’s disappointing a 3rd zone of local weather management isn’t obtainable on non-AMG C-Class fashions domestically.
Children might be high quality again there, significantly in the event that they’re in automotive seats. There’s ISOFIX anchor factors for each outboard seating positions, and top-tether factors throughout all three rear pews.
The C-Class Sedan affords 455 litres of boot capability, which is similar because the earlier mannequin.
Sadly the C-Class Property has been culled from the Australian lineup, that means in case you just like the C-Class feel and look however need extra space for the household’s baggage you’ll need to get a GLC.
As within the earlier mannequin, a chunky rear bumper makes for a reasonably excessive loading lip, however the boot is fairly broad and sq..
Because the C-Class will get run-flat tyres throughout the vary, there’s no spare wheel beneath the boot ground. Autos fitted with the 19-inch AMG alloy wheels (as examined) get a restore package which incorporates an air compressor as properly.
To see how the C-Class traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The C-Class is four-cylinder solely – together with AMG fashions.
To see how the C-Class traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
How does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class drive?
It might have scorching hatch-rivalling outputs and AMG styling, however the C 300 isn’t actually an AMG-lite.
Mercedes-Benz has positively been going laborious on consolation with its current releases, and the C-Class positively has extra of a mini E- or S-Class vibe about it somewhat than it attempting to go toe-to-toe with the three Collection.
With 400Nm on faucet from 2000rpm and 9 ratios to select from, the C 300 desires to waft alongside effortlessly somewhat than have its neck wrung.
Be mild with it and it’s fairly a cushty and nice factor to cruise in. Put your foot down more durable than there’s sturdy acceleration, however I’m undecided it feels 6.0s to 100km/h fast.
The journey is fairly soft as properly, particularly in its Consolation setting. There’s a pleasant tender rebound to the suspension and there’s a contact of roll in corners even in its Sport setting.
All the driving force controls are gentle and closely assisted, which makes mundane day by day commutes and manoeuvres a lot simpler but in addition takes away really feel.
All of it performs into that Benz concentrate on consolation and driving refinement – in case you don’t need to really feel tremendous related to the automotive and highway due to a layer of cushioning, it’ll fit your tastes simply high quality.
Noise from the two.0-litre petrol engine is fairly properly subdued, and solely beneath laborious acceleration do you get a whiff of its gravelly observe. It’s not as raucous as another four-cylinder Mercedes fashions, however it’s not as candy because the 330i.
The 48V mild-hybrid system helps the C 300 come to a clean cease when utilizing idle stop-start and fires the engine up once more virtually imperceptibly. Nonetheless, regardless of the 48V structure it doesn’t appear to have the ability to preserve the engine off for lengthy when at a standstill, which considerably defeats the aim of the bigger battery for my part.
Our check automotive wasn’t fitted with the non-obligatory Plus Package deal, and due to this fact missed out on the total gamut of driver assists obtainable on the C-Class.
Adaptive cruise management labored high quality however lacks a visitors jam perform in its fundamental type. Likewise the C 300 will preserve you away from lane markings however gained’t actively centre you in your lane except you tick the choice field.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help are useful, as is the usual encompass digital camera system. Nonetheless it’s fairly disappointing it is advisable spend more cash on a $100,000 automotive so as to add help options you’ll discover on base mannequin Toyotas, Hyundais, and Kias.
The usual LED headlights with auto high-beam are likewise high quality, however Mercedes-Benz’s adaptive high-beam tech tied to the non-obligatory Digital Mild headlights is fairly swish and can assistance on poorly-lit regional roads.
What do you get?
The C-Class is a sedan-only affair in Australia, with two non-AMG variants supplied.
C 200 + C 300 commonplace gear:
Exterior
AMG Line exteriorAgility Management suspension – lowered19-inch AMG multispoke alloys – bicolourRear privateness glassMetallic paint – excl. ManufakturAmbient lighting incl. brand projectionExterior mirrors – energy regulate, folding, heatedKeyless-Go – keyless entry, auto bootLED headlightsAdaptive Highbeam Assist360-degree cameraTirefit – restore kitTyre stress monitoringPanoramic sliding sunroof
Inside
AMG Line interiorSports entrance seatsAnthracite Linestructure Lime Wooden trimCentre console in high-gloss blackAmbient lighting plusArtico upholsteryRoof liner in blackAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorElectrically adjustable entrance seatsMemory Package deal – entrance seatsHeated entrance seatsFolding rear seat backrests – 40:20:40 splitDual-zone local weather controlMBUX 11.9-inch multimedia systemMBUX Navigation PremiumApple CarPlay, Android Auto – wirelessDAB+ digital radio12.3-inch digital instrument clusterWireless smartphone chargerMercedes-Me ConnectHead-up displayUSB Package deal
Choices
One essential possibility package deal is offered for the C 200 and C 300.
Plus Package deal: $6900
Driving Help Package deal PlusMBUX Augmented Actuality NavigationDigital Mild – Adaptive headlightsBurmester 3D encompass soundUrban Guard automobile protectionHeat, noise insulating acoustic glass
Manufaktur paint: $1500
Patagonia Purple Vivid MetallicOpalite White Vivid Metallic
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class protected?
The C-Class wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking, primarily based on Euro NCAP testing in 2022.
It scored 91 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 90 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 80 per cent for pedestrian safety, and 84 per cent for security help.
Customary security gear contains:
10 airbags incl. front-centre airbagActive Parking AssistAdaptive cruise management – DistronicAdaptive Excessive Beam Help – auto high-beamAEB with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detectionBlind-spot monitoringLane preserve assistParking sensors – entrance, rearRear cross-traffic assistSurround digital camera systemTraffic signal help
Plus Package deal provides:
Driving Assistant Package deal PlusActive Lane Change AssistAdaptive cruise management with cease, goAdaptive Excessive Beam Help PlusEvasive manoeuvre supportPre-Protected impulse sideRoute-based velocity adaptation
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class price to run?
Mercedes-Benz covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
There’s one thing about a few of the newest Mercedes-Benz fashions that leaves me underwhelmed.
I can admire the concentrate on consolation and refinement, in addition to the shiny tech inclusions that appear like a pure development for rusted-on Benz homeowners seeking to spend up from an older mannequin.
What I can’t actually get previous is the worth equation. The very fact the C 300 earlier than non-obligatory colors and packages is already greater than $100,000 drive-away appears exorbitant to me – not way back this was the place the outdated AMG C 43 sat.
It’s additionally disappointing the C-Class lacks a full driver help package deal as commonplace regardless of costing what it does.
The dearth of the Property wagon physique grates, given there might be loads of individuals wanting extra boot area however unwilling to spend one other $10,000 for a GLC.
You can also’t get a non-AMG Line model anymore so each C-Class in Australia appears to be like nearly the identical.
There’s no correct hybrid possibility both, regardless of a C 300e with 100km of EV vary being obtainable overseas. If you’re spending this type of cash, clients must be afforded extra alternative.
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