Launched in 2014, the fourth generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the first car to use the automaker’s all-new Modular Rear-wheel drive Architecture (MRA), which is why the car is up to 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than its predecessor, despite being longer, wider and having a longer wheelbase. Thanks to its lower mass, it handles better than the W204, while the increased dimensions result in a roomier cabin. Add to these improvements the S-Class-inspired styling, the high-quality interior and the plethora of available features and the C-Class deserves to be called a mini S-Class.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Strong Points
- Great Quality Feeling Throughout
- Supremely Comfortable
- Many Powertrain Choices (Particularly In Europe)
- High-Tech Safety Systems
Recommended Versions
- C 300 (Us), C 450 Amg
- C 250 D (Europe)
- C 250 D (Europe)
Cons
Weak Points
- Unrefined Four-Cylinder Engines
- Thirsty Gasoline Engines
- Doesn’t Handle As Well As The Bmw 3-Series
- Pricey Optional Extras
Stay Away From
- First Model Year Cars
- Larger-Size Alloy Wheels
- Low-Powered Renault-Sourced 1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder Diesel Engines (In Europe)
Attention
Known Problems & Recalls
- Verify If The Car Has Been Recalled To Fix The Steering Coupling Interlock Problem (It May Have Not Been Installed Correctly On Some Models)
- For The C 220 Bluetec And C 250 Bluetec Models Sold In Europe In 2014, Check If The Leaking Oil Issue Was Fixed As Part Of The January 2015 Recall
- The First Batch Of C-Class Models Sold Between December 1, 2013 And October 30, 2014 Have Been Recalled To Replace The Fuel Feed Pump Within The Fuel Tank
CAR DETAILS
Drive
Powertrain
While in Europe the C-Class offers a wide range of gasoline, diesel, diesel-hybrid and plug-in gasoline hybrid powertrains, in the United States the lineup is smaller. A 241 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the C 300 is the base engine, followed by the C 300 d 2.1-liter turbo diesel, the 275 hp C 350 e plug-in gasoline electric hybrid, the 362 hp 3.0-liter V6 biturbo in the C 450 AMG and the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo in the Mercedes-AMG C 63 (469 hp) and C 63 S (503 hp). While the four-cylinder gasoline engine is not that refined and the diesel is quite noisy, they are the choice of the eco-conscious and budget-oriented customer. The C 450 AMG replaces the C 400, bridging the gap between the C 300 and the C 63. It makes more sense financially than the full-blown AMG version, without a big trade-off in terms of performance.
Handling
The W205 is equipped as standard with a conventional spring/damper suspension called Agility Control, which offers adaptive damping. While it’s a comfort-oriented suspension, it enables the C-Class to handle better than before, particularly in Sport and Sport+ modes. It still lags behind the BMW 3-Series dynamically, but it’s closer than ever to the segment’s standard. The steering feels less connected to the road compared with the 3-Series, while the suspension
At high speeds, particularly in corners, the standard suspension is not as predictable as the BMW’s.
Safety
As one would expect from an established premium sedan, the C-Class offers remarkable levels of passive and active safety. It missed IIHS’ “Top Safety Pick” rating, but received “Good” scores for moderate overlap front impact and side impact, as well as a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention. The only “Acceptable” score was given for the ease of use of child seat anchors. In Europe, EuroNCAP crash tested it in 2014 and gave it five stars overall and the “Best in Class” label. Depending on the market, standard safety features include nine airbags, ABS, ESP, Adaptive Brake and Attention Assist.
Interior
Comfort
The C-Class’ cabin is a great place to be in: the seats are comfortable, the driving position is spot on and the controls are where they should be – at least most of them. If you’re not a Mercedes-Benz aficionado you’ll need some time to adapt to the transmission lever located on the steering column or the switch for the windscreen wipers placed on the left side of the wheel. The C-Class is hard to beat when it comes to its comfortable ride, and if you spec the optional Airmatic suspension it becomes almost as comfortable as the S-Class. Standard features such as the automatic dual-zone climate control system Thermatic, auto headlights and wipers, cruise control and 7-inch color display certainly make life more comfortable onboard.
Quality
From assembly to materials, the quality of the C-Class is superb. Everything the driver touches feels upscale, whether it's the standard Artico man-made leather upholstery, the touchpad of the Comand infotainment system, the shift paddles or the leather-wrapped steering wheel. There are no thumps whatsoever from the suspension, nor any other unwanted noises. It simply feels built to last, which is a quality Mercedes-Benz has long been associated with.
Practicality
The fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 95 mm (3.74 in) longer and 40 mm (1.57 in) wider than its predecessor. More importantly, the wheelbase has grown by 80 mm (3.15 in), with passengers benefiting the most from the increase. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom at the front, and the visibility is good. Legroom and headroom at the rear are similar to what the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 offer, but headroom is better in the Estate model. Boot volume is also on par with its rivals (480 liters or 16.9 cu-ft). Storage spaces are plenty, although you’ll have to pay extra for cupholders at the front.
Infotainment
The W205 C-Class is equipped with the latest generation Comand infotainment system which pairs a 7-inch TFT color display positioned above the center console with a rotary controller on the center tunnel and a touchpad. Commands for the basic functions of the car are doubled by buttons on the center console, so you don’t have to browse through the menu if you don’t want to. That’s good, because the on-screen tabs aren’t as intuitive to access as the menus from BMW’s iDrive or Audi’s MMI. The basic sound system is impressive though, and pairing your phone to the car is very easy with the standard Bluetooth connection.
Budget
Efficiency
Those who want a fuel-efficient C-Class should opt for the diesel or the plug-in hybrid model, as gasoline engines are quite thirsty. In Europe, the C 250 d (which is offered in the U.S. as the C 300 d) averages as low as 4.3 l/100 km (54.7 mpg US), according to the European test cycle. The plug-in hybrid model returns a claimed 112 mpg US (2.1 l/100 km). However, don’t expect to reach these figures in real life. The PHEV may come in handy if your commute is not long, as it has an all-electric driving range of 19.3 miles (31 km) with a fully-charged battery.
Equipment
The C-Class offers pretty much all the basic features one would need in a premium car. It comes with power windows, power-folding side mirrors, 14-way power driver seat with memory, Artico man-made leather upholstery, cruise control, ECO start/stop system, multifunction steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control, electric parking brake and more. The amount of optional extras you can spec is only limited by your budget, as the C-Class can be turned into a mini-me version of the S-Class in no time.
Acquisition
The entry-level C300 sedan starts from $38,950 in the United States, which makes only $600 more expensive than its nemesis, the BMW 328i. Mercedes-Benz offers a 48-month or 50,000 miles warranty, which perfectly matches BMW’s warranty. Basically, the C-Class makes sense if comfort and luxury matter more to you than razor-sharp handling and driving thrills. If your budget is limited, the base four-cylinder model would do just fine, provided that you’re not too bothered by its coarse noise at low revs.