As soon as a high vendor, the C-Class is a staple however not a star within the Mercedes-Benz vary.
Today the Three-Pointed Star’s mid-size government sedan performs second fiddle to the GLC and GLE SUVs, and is usually neck-and-neck within the gross sales race with the smaller A-Class vary.
For the newest (W206) mannequin launched in Australia in 2022, Mercedes-Benz streamlined the vary according to its company mannequin rollout. Costs are effectively up, too.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan stays an expensive 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 optionally available colors and packages.
It’s aligned with its arch nemesis, the BMW 330i Sedan (from $94,700), however the Benz nonetheless wants just a few 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 value 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 standard Benz purchaser.
How does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class towards equally sized automobiles.
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class value?
Costs have slowly crept up because the current-generation C-Class launched in 2022. The vary now opens with the C 200 Evening Version from $86,900 plus on-road prices or $89,990 drive-away.
On take a look at now we have the C 300 Sedan, which at present is priced from $95,900 earlier than on-road prices. Drive-away, you’re over $100,000 – that’s rather a lot for a four-cylinder sedan.
| Mannequin Variant | $RRP |
|---|---|
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Evening Version | $86,900 |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 200 | $89,900 |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | $95,900 |
| 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC | $138,900 |
| 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Efficiency 4MATIC+ | $187,900 |
Costs exclude on-road prices.
To see how the C-Class traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
What’s the Mercedes-Benz C-Class like on the within?
The C-Class impresses has plenty of showroom attraction with its large screens and sweeping sprint design. It feels much more trendy than its predecessor.
Look nearer and there’s plenty 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 motive 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 could take a little bit of getting used to, although. The humorous form and small management space imply you could not all the time 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 commonly going up or down by an excessive amount of or simply plain urgent the improper factor.
Behind the steering wheel is a free-standing 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a well-recognized Mercedes appear and feel. 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 character in comparison with the digital cockpits from rivals.
Consolation up entrance is nice because of 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 massive to take a seat on the foot relaxation with out wedging towards 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 gorgeous 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 includes a fingerprint scanner to unlock – very similar to we’re used to in smartphones.
The appear and feel is acquainted, however you get a bigger show and built-in local weather controls over to the primary MBUX. All of it works fairly effectively, and you would spend hours flicking by means 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 effectively throughout our mortgage if with the odd dropout in recognized useless spots round Melbourne. Related providers 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 because of an extra 25mm of wheelbase.
At 6’1 I match behind my driving place simply effective, however if you would like extra luxurious lodging you’re higher off trying 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.
Youngsters will probably be effective 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 gives 455 litres of boot capability, which is identical 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 appear and feel 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 vast and sq..
Because the C-Class will get run-flat tyres throughout the vary, there’s no spare wheel below the boot ground. Automobiles fitted with the 19-inch AMG alloy wheels (as examined) get a restore package which incorporates an air compressor as effectively.
| Dimensions | Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan |
|---|---|
| Size | 4751mm |
| Wheelbase | 2865mm |
| Width | 1820mm |
| Top | 1437mm |
| Boot house | 455 litres |
To see how the C-Class traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
What’s below the bonnet?
The C-Class is four-cylinder solely – together with AMG fashions.
| Tech Specs | Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo 48V MHEV |
| Energy | 190kW @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 400Nm @ 2000-3200 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automated |
| Pushed Wheels | Rear |
| Weight – tare | 1744kg |
| 0-100km/h – claimed | 6.0 seconds |
| Gas financial system – claimed | 7.3L /100km |
| Gas financial system – as examined | 8.1L /100km |
| CO2 emissions – claimed | 164g /km |
| Gas tank | 66 litres |
| Octane ranking | 98 RON |
To see how the C-Class traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
How does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class drive?
It could have sizzling hatch-rivalling outputs and AMG styling, however the C 300 isn’t actually an AMG-lite.
Mercedes-Benz has undoubtedly been going exhausting on consolation with its current releases, and the C-Class undoubtedly has extra of a mini E- or S-Class vibe about it fairly than it making an attempt to go toe-to-toe with the three Sequence.
With 400Nm on faucet from 2000rpm and 9 ratios to select from, the C 300 needs to waft alongside effortlessly fairly 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 trip is fairly soft as effectively, particularly in its Consolation setting. There’s a pleasant gentle rebound to the suspension and there’s a contact of roll in corners even in its Sport setting.
All the motive force controls are mild and closely assisted, which makes mundane every day commutes and manoeuvres a lot simpler but additionally 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 because of a layer of cushioning, it’ll fit your tastes simply effective.
Noise from the two.0-litre petrol engine is fairly effectively subdued, and solely below exhausting acceleration do you get a whiff of its gravelly notice. It’s not as raucous as another four-cylinder Mercedes fashions, nevertheless 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 maintain the engine off for lengthy when at a standstill, which considerably defeats the aim of the bigger battery for my part.
Our take a look at automotive wasn’t fitted with the optionally available Plus Package deal, and subsequently missed out on the complete gamut of driver assists obtainable on the C-Class.
Adaptive cruise management labored effective however lacks a site visitors jam perform in its primary type. Likewise the C 300 will maintain you away from lane markings however gained’t actively centre you in your lane until you tick the choice field.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help are useful, as is the usual encompass digicam system. Nonetheless it’s fairly disappointing it is advisable to spend extra money 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 effective, however Mercedes-Benz’s adaptive high-beam tech tied to the optionally available Digital Gentle 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 provided.
C 200 + C 300 commonplace gear:
Exterior
- AMG Line exterior
- Agility Management suspension – lowered
- 19-inch AMG multispoke alloys – bicolour
- Rear privateness glass
- Metallic paint – excl. Manufaktur
- Ambient lighting incl. brand projection
- Exterior mirrors – energy alter, folding, heated
- Keyless-Go – keyless entry, auto boot
- LED headlights
- Adaptive Highbeam Help
- 360-degree digicam
- Tirefit – restore package
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Panoramic sliding sunroof
Inside
- AMG Line inside
- Sports activities entrance seats
- Anthracite Linestructure Lime Wooden trim
- Centre console in high-gloss black
- Ambient lighting plus
- Artico upholstery
- Roof liner in black
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Electrically adjustable entrance seats
- Reminiscence Package deal – entrance seats
- Heated entrance seats
- Folding rear seat backrests – 40:20:40 break up
- Twin-zone local weather management
- MBUX 11.9-inch multimedia system
- MBUX Navigation Premium
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wi-fi
- DAB+ digital radio
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Wi-fi smartphone charger
- Mercedes-Me Join
- Head-up show
- USB Package deal
Choices
One foremost possibility package deal is accessible for the C 200 and C 300.
Plus Package deal: $6900
- Driving Help Package deal Plus
- MBUX Augmented Actuality Navigation
- Digital Gentle – Adaptive headlights
- Burmester 3D encompass sound
- City Guard car safety
- Warmth, noise insulating acoustic glass
Manufaktur paint: $1500
- Patagonia Pink Brilliant Metallic
- Opalite White Brilliant Metallic
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class secure?
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 baby occupant safety, 80 per cent for pedestrian safety, and 84 per cent for security help.
Normal security gear consists of:
- 10 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
- Lively Parking Help
- Adaptive cruise management – Distronic
- Adaptive Excessive Beam Help – auto high-beam
- AEB with Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane maintain help
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Encompass digicam system
- Site visitors signal help
Plus Package deal provides:
- Driving Assistant Package deal Plus
- Lively Lane Change Help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease, go
- Adaptive Excessive Beam Help Plus
- Evasive manoeuvre help
- Pre-Protected impulse facet
- Route-based velocity adaptation
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class value to run?
Mercedes-Benz covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.
| Aftersales program | Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Service intervals | One 12 months or 25,000 kilometres |
| 5-year service plan | $6015 |
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 trying 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 optionally available 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 will probably be loads of individuals wanting extra boot house 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 sort of cash, clients needs to be afforded extra selection.
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