The redesigned C-Class builds on the sportiness of the previous version, with a polished powertrain and honed handling. We appreciate the beautiful cabin, comfortable front seats, and improved fuel economy. But the overly-complicated controls and a spongy brake pedal mar what is otherwise a splendid-driving sedan. The below-average reliability of new Mercedes models also pulls down its Overall Score.
We enjoyed our C300’s smooth, punchy 255-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It gives plenty of invigorating power anytime you need it, and the nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. It propelled our all-wheel-drive test car (“4Matic” means AWD in Mercedes lingo; rear-wheel drive comes standard) from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is competitive among compact sports sedans.
The powertrain benefits from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that contributes to the car’s commendable 29 mpg overall, albeit on more expensive premium fuel. We found it a little disconcerting when the engine stop/start system would shut the engine off before the car coasted to a complete stop, but we got used to it. We’re perplexed, though, as to why the climate system’s fan speed would get lowered when the stop/start system turned the engine off at stoplights; that’s counter to one of the supposed benefits of mild-hybrid systems—that they don’t negatively affect the air conditioning.
The C-Class feels tight and controlled through turns, aided by our test car’s optional AMG sport suspension, which is stiffer and with a lower ride height compared to the standard version. We found the steering effort a bit light, though, and the car proved short on outright tire grip, with stopping distances a good 10 feet longer than comparable sports sedans. The tires also likely contributed to the C300’s merely average speed, compared to its class, through our avoidance maneuver test.
The downside to the stiffer suspension is an uncomfortably firm ride. The body stays steady and composed over undulating roads, but bigger bumps feel like they punch right into the cabin. If we had it to do over, we’d skip the “AMG Line w/Night” package, of which the sport suspension is included. At the time we purchased our C-Class, we couldn’t get all of the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) we wanted without also getting the AMG package. We checked a C300 without that package and it rode more comfortably without losing significant handling agility.
The interior ambience matches Mercedes’ more expensive sedans, with lots of padded areas, chrome accents, piano-black trim, quality stitching, and smooth-action dashboard air vents. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, even for the long haul. As is typical of the class, the rear seat is tight on headroom, and it’s a bit of a chore to squeeze into. Once you’re situated, it’s actually pretty comfortable, with good foot space under the front seats and decent leg support.
Mercedes’ latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system gives you tech overload. It has a wide range of abilities, but it’s annoying that just about every media and climate function runs through the large center touchscreen. Plus, the finger-sliding, capacitive-touch controls on the steering wheel—to adjust the audio volume or cruise-control speed, not to mention to open or close the sunroof and shade—require too much dexterity while driving. We also found the new capacitive-touch seat controls awkward to use.
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning come standard. Reverse automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning are only optional, which we find disappointing. The optional adaptive cruise control, in conjunction with lane centering assistance, is very advanced and has the ability to shift lanes on its own when the driver activates the turn signal.