2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class evaluation | CarExpert

As soon as a high vendor, the C-Class is a staple however not a star within the Mercedes-Benz vary.

Lately the Three-Pointed Star’s mid-size government 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 according to its company mannequin rollout. Costs are effectively up, too.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan stays a dear choice. At $95,900 earlier than on-road prices it’s risen by $5500 in a few years – making it over $100,000 on the street earlier than you add non-compulsory 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 packing containers ticked to make it a correct luxurious expertise with all of the accessible options and tech on supply.

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 everyday Benz purchaser.

How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class price?

Costs have slowly crept up for the reason that 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 take a look at we now have the C 300 Sedan, which at the moment 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.

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 loads of showroom enchantment with its large screens and sweeping sprint design. It feels much more fashionable than its predecessor.

Look nearer and there’s loads 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 number 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 it’s possible you’ll 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 repeatedly 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 appear and feel. Being MBUX 2.0 there’s an enormous array of layouts and widgets debuted within the S-Class.

As we’ve come to anticipate, 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 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 sit down 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 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.

Operating the MBUX 2.0 interface, the system helps over-the-air (OTA) software program updates and even contains a fingerprint scanner to unlock – very similar to 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 effectively, and you can 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 effectively throughout our mortgage if with the odd dropout in identified lifeless spots round Melbourne. Linked 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 supply extra room than its predecessor, partly because of a further 25mm of wheelbase.

At 6’1 I match behind my driving place simply high-quality, however if you’d 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 accessible on non-AMG C-Class fashions regionally.

Children will probably be high-quality again there, significantly in the event that they’re in automobile 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 for those who just like the C-Class appear and feel however need extra space for the household’s baggage you’ll must get a GLC.

As within the earlier mannequin, a chunky rear bumper makes for a reasonably excessive loading lip, however the boot is fairly large and sq..

Because the C-Class will get run-flat tyres throughout the vary, there’s no spare wheel below the boot flooring. Automobiles fitted with the 19-inch AMG alloy wheels (as examined) get a restore package which incorporates an air compressor as effectively.

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.

To see how the C-Class traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.

How does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class drive?

It might have sizzling hatch-rivalling outputs and AMG styling, however the C 300 isn’t actually an AMG-lite.

Mercedes-Benz has positively been going arduous on consolation with its current releases, and the C-Class positively has extra of a mini E- or S-Class vibe about it slightly than it attempting 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 slightly than have its neck wrung.

Be light with it and it’s fairly a snug and nice factor to cruise in. Put your foot down more durable than there’s sturdy acceleration, however I’m unsure it feels 6.0s to 100km/h fast.

The trip is fairly soft as effectively, particularly in its Consolation setting. There’s a pleasant smooth 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 each day commutes and manoeuvres a lot simpler but in addition takes away really feel.

All of it performs into that Benz deal with consolation and driving refinement – for those who don’t need to really feel tremendous related to the automobile and street because of a layer of cushioning, it’ll fit your tastes simply high-quality.

Noise from the two.0-litre petrol engine is fairly effectively subdued, and solely below arduous acceleration do you get a whiff of its gravelly word. 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 in my view.

Our take a look at automobile wasn’t fitted with the non-compulsory Plus Package deal, and due to this fact missed out on the total gamut of driver assists accessible on the C-Class.

Adaptive cruise management labored high-quality however lacks a site visitors jam operate in its primary kind. Likewise the C 300 will preserve 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 digital camera system. Nonetheless it’s fairly disappointing it’s essential spend extra money on a $100,000 automobile 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-compulsory 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 supplied.

C 200 + C 300 commonplace tools:

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 digital camera
• 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 cut 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 primary choice bundle is on the market 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 Purple Vibrant Metallic
• Opalite White Vibrant 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 tools 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 preserve help
• Parking sensors – entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Encompass digital camera 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 assist
  • Pre-Protected impulse facet
  • Route-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 number of the newest Mercedes-Benz fashions that leaves me underwhelmed.

I can recognize the deal with consolation and refinement, in addition to the shiny tech inclusions that appear like a pure development for rusted-on Benz house owners 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 non-compulsory 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 bundle as commonplace regardless of costing what it does.

The shortage of the Property wagon physique grates, given there will probably be loads of folks 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 nearly the identical.

There’s no correct hybrid choice both, regardless of a C 300e with 100km of EV vary being accessible overseas. If you’re spending this sort of cash, clients must be afforded extra alternative.

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