Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Mercedes C-class review – BMW 3-series rival strikes back

Concrete evidence that long-standing engineering garners excellent results. The C-class has never been better

Evo rating
  • Chassis is extremely capable; powertrains a big improvement
  • It’s four cylinders or nothing for this generation; there’s a lot of tinsel to wade through

Amongst the myriad of new car varieties being churned out by the industry at large thanks to an automotive ecosystem moving towards electrification, there’s something very comforting about an all-new version of a model that’s been a constant for nearly 40 years. The Mercedes C-class is one such car, spiritually unchanged over its lifetime, and still the ‘real’ entry point to the Mercedes range.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But to confuse this steadfastness with a lack of innovation would be a mistake, because the C-class’s evolutionary path has meant that almost all of its rough edges have been shaved off to become, in this fifth generation, a frankly brilliant compact executive saloon and estate that operate over and above their mandates, and probably their price points too.

> BMW 3-series review

Some concessions have been made to the current automotive climate – it’s only available with four-cylinder engines for instance, and hybridisation has now been applied across all models, whether that be in mild or plug-in forms. Yet, for the first time the use of electrification is starting to yield results, as real progress has been made in terms of efficiency and integration to a point where you would miss it if it were gone. The mainstream car world might be turning to pure electric, but right now there are few better ways of getting around than in a C-class.

Mercedes C-class: in detail 

Prices, specs and rivals:

The C-class might only be available with four-cylinder engines in this generation, but the pricing structure hasn’t deviated from the current trend of inflated list prices due to a high take-up of leasing. So far, UK models are limited to a total of five powertrain variations in either Sport or AMG Line trims, the latter then having additional Premium and Premium Plus packages available depending on the powertrain.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Prices for the base C200 petrol in Sport trim start at £38,785, with the C200d costing a further £2000. C300, C300e plug-in hybrid and C300d models are only available in AMG Line trim starting at £43,500, £44,895 and £45,925 respectively, making the plug-in hybrid (inexplicably) less expensive than the diesel. All Sport and AMG Line cars come with a solid specification, including Merc’s big new touchscreen interface, digital dial pack, heated leather seats, LED headlights and a reversing camera. AMG Line cars up the exterior jewellery with new bumpers, bigger 18-inch wheels and some extra brightwork. The interior also picks up an upholstered dash and privacy glass.

Models fitted with the Premium pack cost an extra £2750, which ups the wheel size another inch to 19 inches, and upgrades components of the interior ambient lighting, MBUX interface and parking assistant. The big gain is an upgrade to Merc’s fantastic Digital Light headlights that first debuted on the new S-class. The Premium Plus will add a further £3450, bringing a different 19-inch wheel design, panoramic sunroof, a huge head-up display and four-zone climate control. Estate models are available in all the same trims and options at a £1635 premium.

As for rivals? Well, there’s the BMW 3-series which mimics the C-class’s specification in large part with a £1k or so price advantage. The 3-series’ mild-hybrid electrification isn’t as widespread, but it has a six-cylinder M340i at the top of the range to compensate. Mercedes will have a mid-level AMG model to rival the M Performance BMW eventually, but it’ll run a four-cylinder petrol, again with hybrid assistance. Plug-in C300e versus plug-in 330e runs things close in terms of power and performance, but the Mercedes has a much longer all-electric range at around 70 miles on the WLTP cycle, double that of the BMW.

Audi’s A4 enters the ring with one arm behind its back as it’s a model that’s coming to the end of its lifespan, explaining a total lack of any hybridisation. A4s drive well enough and their interiors are still superbly built, but the BMW and Merc have opened up considerable leads in both areas. If you’re into a big six-cylinder diesel, though, an A4 3.0 TDI remains an all-rounder that’s tough to beat.

Alfa Romeo’s Giulia is still fantastic to drive, but now feels multiple generations behind in regards to tech and powertrains, and the same could be said of the Jaguar XE and the Genesis G70.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on C-Class

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 revealed – 402bhp four-cylinder rival to the M340i and Audi S4
Mercedes-AMG C43 – grille
News

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 revealed – 402bhp four-cylinder rival to the M340i and Audi S4

AMG’s new generation is gathering steam, with the new C43 to feature its latest electrified four-cylinder
26 Apr 2022
Mercedes-Benz C-class review
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz C-class review

Trades some dynamic ability and excitement for comfort - unless you opt for the AMG C63
19 Oct 2020
2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 review
Mercedes-AMG C43 2018 facelift - front quarter
Reviews

2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 review

Mercedes-AMG's quiet achiever just got better with its mid-life update
20 Jun 2018
Skip advert
Advertisement
2018 Mercedes-AMG C 43 facelift
2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 saloon
News

2018 Mercedes-AMG C 43 facelift

With a little bit more power and a tidier design the entry-level Mercedes-AMG C-class looks even more appealing
5 Mar 2018
Facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class is incoming
Mercedes-Benz C-class – front
News

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class is incoming

A host of aesthetic and tech-based updates will grace the facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-class due in 2018.
13 Feb 2018
Mercedes-AMG C-class buying guide: C43/C55/C63
Mercedes C63 AMG
Advice

Mercedes-AMG C-class buying guide: C43/C55/C63

It seems unlikely that AMG will ever build another naturally aspirated V8, so fill your boots while you can.
15 Sep 2017
Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupé and Cabriolet review
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupé and Cabriolet review

With over 360bhp, four-wheel drive and some sleek looks the new C43 is promising
2 Jun 2016
Mercedes C-Class Brabus upgrades
Brabus reveals tuning package for Mercedes C-Class
News

Mercedes C-Class Brabus upgrades

Brabus has released a range of the Mercedes C-Class upgrades, including performance and styling
20 Aug 2014
Mercedes AMG: turbo and AWD future
Mercedes E63 AMG
News

Mercedes AMG: turbo and AWD future

All future Mercedes AMG models will be turbocharged while four-wheel drive will feature more, too
16 Oct 2013
Skip advert
Advertisement
2013 Mercedes C250 AMG review
Mercedes C250 Coupe with AMG handling pack
Reviews

2013 Mercedes C250 AMG review

AMG has created a handling pack for the C-Class Coupe, which is claimed to sharpen up the driving experience. Is this the junior C63?
21 Dec 2012
Video: C63 AMG drifting
Video: C63 AMG drifts the Corkscrew
News

Video: C63 AMG drifting

To celebrate two-million video views on its YouTube channel, AMG has released this short clip of a C63 drifting at Laguna Seca.
2 May 2012
Skip advert
Advertisement
C63 AMG breaks drift record
World drift record broken in Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
News

C63 AMG breaks drift record

Friend of evo, Mauro Calo, breaks the world drift record in a Mercedes C63 AMG saloon
20 Jun 2011
World drift record attempt
Mercedes C63 AMG world drift record attempt
News

World drift record attempt

Friend of evo, Mauro Calo, aims for the world drift record in a Mercedes C63 AMG saloon
15 Jun 2011
New Merc C-Class coupe
New Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe revealed
News

New Merc C-Class coupe

Mercedes-Benz reveals its two-door C-Class coupe. Diesel and petrol options, plus a C63 AMG version. Pictures and video here
13 Feb 2011
Mercedes DR 520 AMG revealed
Mercedes-Benz C-class DR 520
News

Mercedes DR 520 AMG revealed

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG sports saloon turned up to 11: exclusive and official DR 520 revealed
1 Jul 2010
Skip advert
Advertisement
Geneva: C-Class Lite
News

Geneva: C-Class Lite

Blue has become green, as far as Mercedes is concerned
7 Mar 2008
C-Class next to get AMG’s huge V8
Mercedes C63 AMG
News

C-Class next to get AMG’s huge V8

Massively powerful Mercedes C63 AMG could blow BMW M3 and Audi RS4 away
4 Jun 2007
Mercedes-Benz C350
Mercedes-Benz C350
Reviews

Mercedes-Benz C350

Sharper chassis brings increased driver appeal to the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class
27 May 2007