2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review: One sedan to do it all
Professionals: Elegant styling; tech powerhouse; ultra-smooth powertrains
Cons: Studying curve to all that tech; on the costly aspect
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as well-rounded because it will get for a compact luxurious sedan. Mercedes’ lineup of C-Class variants might not be as wide-ranging because it was earlier than the 2022 redesign, however the C remains to be going to enchantment to most folk trying to find a little bit of luxurious. S-Class-inspired tech and design at all times elevates the C-Class, and the similarities are unmistakable as soon as once more with this technology. The large MBUX infotainment system and big range of elective tech options could also be a bit overwhelming at first, however no one affords as a lot futuristic tech as Mercedes does. Each the outside and inside design are easy however decidedly upscale with, as soon as once more, tech enjoying on the forefront.
Driving the C-Class leaves no mistake that it’s the most effective luxurious sedans cash can purchase. The experience and dealing with steadiness of the C 300 toes the road between luxurious and sporty, simply the way in which we’d anticipate from an entry-level mannequin on this class. It’s not the sportiest amongst its opponents — the BMW 3 Sequence remains to be higher to drive — however any fanatic will discover pleasure in the way in which it comports itself on the street. Per regular in relation to Mercedes-Benz merchandise, the C-Class finds its house on the prime of the category in most areas, and assuming you may afford one, we extremely advocate it.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
Mercedes provides the AMG C 43 variant to the lineup for 2023 (seen within the gallery immediately above). We haven’t pushed the mid-tier AMG mannequin as of this story’s publishing, however it’s going so as to add a potent dose of efficiency to the in any other case one-horse C-Class lineup. No adjustments for the C 300 mannequin are outlined as of now.
What are the C-Class’ inside and in-car expertise like?
The C-Class borrows closely (to its benefit) from the lately redesigned S-Class. Generously bolstered seats combine pivoting headrests on single posts, with a variety of inside colours and coverings — a racy red-and-black combo, or brick-like AMG Sienna Brown with pure wooden pinstriped with actual aluminum. Ambient lighting decorates the doorways, sprint and aircraft-inspired steel vents with a selection of 64 colours. Architects would dig the cantilevered armrests and “floating,” light-rimmed door-control housings. A 3-spoke steering wheel seems nearly as good because it feels, as do bright-metal paddle shifters as cool and polished as river stones.
The 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment system, regardless of the enhancements gleaned from the larger display screen, nonetheless requires a first-time studying curve. However as soon as your steering-wheel thumbs and mind are educated, MBUX actually is a nifty — and undeniably eye-popping — manner of navigating right this moment’s data-heavy automotive panorama. The choice of adopting the brand new “Zero Layer” house display screen design first seen on the EQS neatly avoids digging into distracting menus. It retains a map view in sight always, flanked by predominant “module” tiles and individualized “magic modules” managed by machine studying of a driver’s historical past and conduct. The elective Augmented Actuality nav nonetheless amazes, superimposing directional arrows, avenue indicators and even addresses over a real-time digital camera surroundings.
How large is the C-Class?
Mercedes stretched the redesigned 2022 mannequin by 2.5 inches to 187 inches (simply shy of an Audi A4 or Cadillac CT4, and 1.3 longer than a BMW 3 Sequence), with a 1-inch-longer wheelbase. It’s roughly a half-inch wider and decrease than the earlier technology, too. There’s added shoulder and elbow room entrance and rear, almost an inch extra rear legroom, and 0.4-inches extra rear headroom regardless of the decrease roofline. This implies the rear seat is spacious, however not extravagant for adults. It is similar to its closest competitor, the three Sequence. An ordinary, clamshell-style panoramic sunroof boosts the spacious impression, too.
Cut up rear seats fold by way of switches within the trunk to open up extra versatile house. The trunk is giant and accommodating for its class, even when the 12.6 cubic-feet doesn’t sound like loads.
What are the C-Class’ gas economic system and efficiency specs?
The bottom C 300 mannequin is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain integrates a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that provides short-term but potent bursts of as much as 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Energy is distributed by way of a nine-speed automated transmission, and you’ve got the selection of both rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive — Mercedes quotes the identical 6.0-second 0-60 mph time from each. Gas economic system is a powerful 25 mpg metropolis, 35 mpg freeway and 29 mpg mixed with rear-wheel drive. These figures tick right down to 23/33/27 with 4Matic.
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 variant sports activities a hand-built 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque – it’s the primary manufacturing automotive ever constructed with an electrical turbocharger. A nine-speed multi-clutch transmission does the shifting, and Mercedes guarantees a 0-60 mph time of simply 4.6 seconds. All-wheel drive is the one drive configuration, and gas economic system wasn’t obtainable at this story’s publishing.
What is the C-Class prefer to drive?
The brand new turbo four-cylinder engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid system within the C 300 might not scorch a spec sheet, however the powertrain is pure luxurious to drive. There’s loads of torque to be punchy round city, and the seamless integration of the mild-hybrid system makes for some of the nice day-to-day driving experiences you may have at this worth level. That 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds is conservative, too, because the C-Class will get up and strikes out enthusiastically while you need it to. We’ve zero complaints in regards to the transmission, as effectively, because it shifts imperceptibly within the background in the way in which a real luxurious sedan ought to.
Name up “Sport” mode, and the C 300 reveals it’ll dance round corners simply as fortunately because it sops up dangerous pavement. The steering is effectively weighted, and the suspension maintains composure even while you begin to lean on it pretty laborious. A BMW 3 Sequence or Acura TLX nonetheless out-handle the C-Class this technology, however not by a longshot. The duality of this luxurious sedan is a variety of what makes it so interesting, even in normal C 300 trim.
We’ve but to drive the C 43, however will add impressions for the AMG mannequin as soon as we do.
What different C-Class opinions can I learn?
2022 Mercedes C-Class First Drive Overview | Junior suite Benz
Learn all about our first shot within the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 revealed with 402-horsepower four-cylinder
Mercedes splashes some efficiency magic onto the C-Class within the type of an AMG C 43.
What’s the 2023 C-Class’ worth?
Pricing for 2023 isn’t out but, however we anticipate C 300 pricing to be just like costs in 2022. Mercedes is utilizing its simplified lineup technique for the C-Class, and it affords three distinct trim traces — Premium, Unique and Pinnacle — with far fewer à la carte choices. A C 300 Premium began at $44,600 in 2022. This contains a variety of nice normal options like LED headlights/taillights, 18-inch wheels, sunroof, heated entrance seats w/reminiscence, the 11.9-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital cluster and an entire host of driver help characteristic that we’ll element within the subsequent part.
What are the C-Class’ security rankings and driver help options?
The redesigned C-Class acquired an IIHS Prime Security Decide+ award from the Insurance coverage Institute of Freeway Security. It scored the utmost “Good” score in each crash take a look at. Moreover, the usual headlights acquired an “Acceptable,” and the elective lights scored a “Good” score. The NHTSA has but to attain the brand new C-Class.
The C-Class comes with a few driver help techniques normal, together with blind spot warning (with exit warning help) and auto excessive beams. Nevertheless, many of the driver help techniques you may get on the C-Class are elective. This lengthy listing contains auto emergency braking (w/turning and cross-traffic help), adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, evasive steering help, auto-lane change help, energetic blind spot help (guides you again to lane if accident is imminent), encompass view digital camera, entrance/rear parking sensors and auto parallel/perpendicular parking.
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