Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. It was originally introduced in 1993, and the most recent model (the third generation) was released in 2007. U.S. News gives the Mercedes-Benz C-Class an 8.3 rating, and ranked it 8^th out of 20 Upscale Midsize Cars. Reviewers state that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers a high-quality interior that matches its stylish exterior, and has very composed handling.

Performance

U.S. News gives the Mercedes-Benz C-Class an 8.2 performance rating. In general, critics are pleased with the performance each model in the C-Class series has to offer. The base C250 coupe comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 201-horsepower, and is paired with rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The C300 and C350 models come with V6 engines, the former producing 248 horsepower and the latter 302 horsepower. The C350 coupe also has all-wheel drive capability. The C63 AMG is the high performance model, offering a 6.3-liter V8 engine that generates 451 horsepower at 6500 rpm, and 443 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm. The C-Class’ performance does not depend on power alone, however, as it offers a comfortable ride, agile handling, and strong brakes, making it one of the more balanced upscale midsize cars available on the market.

Interior

While the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ interior has been praised by reviewers, it received a pedestrian 7.1 rating from U.S. News. The C-Class coupes are able to seat four people (two adults and two children preferably), and come equipped with leatherette upholstery and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. Heated front seats, leather seats, and 14-way adjustable front seats are optional. The base models come standard with Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a sunroof. Add on features include an upgraded stereo, parking sensors, a backup camera, navigation, a push-button start, and satellite radio. The C-Class coupes come with 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which is on par with other competitors.

Pros/Cons

Reviewers say the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupes offer a comfortable ride with a fine blend of control and compliance, even when driving over rough pavement. There have been some complaints about the base C250 model’s power, however, saying it is not as responsive as the Audi A4, and the acceleration is only pleasing when the car is in Sport mode. Critics like the seven-speed transmission (found in each C-Class model), calling it refined and smooth. While the C-Class’ interior did not score too well on U.S. News, critics say it is an elegant and attractive cabin, which is made with high-quality materials. The backseat is not very accommodating, although this is common among most coupes. It is not very spacious, and thus is not a very family-friendly vehicle. Some critics say the tech features could be easier to use, particularly the navigation and COMAND infotainment systems. One critic even said the COMAND infotainment system makes simple adjustments more difficult than they need to be.

Other Features

The Mercedes-Benz website lists a base price for three different C-Class models. The C250 starts at $37 800, the C350 starts at $43 200, and the C63 AMG Coupe starts at $62 330. Depending on what model you want to purchase, and what additional features you choose, the price could sky rocket to well over $70 000. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a very safe and secure pick, however, receiving top safety ratings from the IIHS in all crash-test categories. U.S. News gave the C-Class a 9.4 safety rating. The base safety features are strong, and optional safety extras include lane-keeping assists, adaptive highbeam headlights, parking guidance, rearview camera, and blind spot monitoring.