Pros

• Full of features that are at the top edge of technology.
• The big cabin is quiet while driving.
• The C 300 gets good marks for how well it uses gas.
• The AMG C 43 S E Performance and C 63 S E Performance move quickly.

Cons

• Finding peace can be challenging.
• Some settings can be hard to work with.

What is the C-Class like to drive? We tested the C 300’s supercharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine. The little bit of mixing makes the speed up more smooth. It only takes 5.8 seconds to hit 60 mph, which is more than fast enough for everyday driving. Also, the transmission changes gears quickly and easily.

The optional AMG Line speed package was on the car we tested. This package makes the steering more direct and quick to respond, adds a sport suspension, and improves the brakes. This normal C-Class is easy to drive because of all three things. We are impressed with how well the C 300 turns and how easy it is to move it in the direction we want.

How is the C-Class for comfort? Even though we have yet to determine how much the AMG Line performance choice makes the car less comfortable, the C 300 was less comfortable than several other small luxury cars. Even though it wasn’t rough, the suspension was noisy and let much road noise into the car. This makes the car easier to handle and turn, but it makes the ride less comfortable. Even though the AMG performance seats were primarily comfortable and supportive, they were hard to get used to and never quite felt right. Also, after more than an hour of driving, the seats that didn’t have holes in them felt full of water.

Each climate control with a touch screen has its screen spot. Even though the system has a lot of cooling power, we had to change the fan speed by hand because it didn’t seem to move enough air when it was set to automatic. The C-Class’s best feature, at least in terms of comfort, was how quiet it was inside. Because it keeps most sounds outside, you rarely hear the engine start up or run at speed.

How does the inside look? Mercedes-Benz beats its competitors regarding interior design and the materials’ quality. So why give a “mean” score? When it comes to being functional, the C-Class needs to be improved. We noticed that the low ride height of our C 300 test car made it hard to get in and out of the vehicle. The controls aren’t as easy to use as when mounted on a standard seat, so we had to move around a lot to find the best position as drivers. Also, we discovered that Mercedes-Benz’s switch from thumb pads to touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel made the car less easy to use.

The C-Class shines when it comes to room for passengers. In general, it has more than its competitors; even though the cabin is small, it never feels crowded.

How good is the tech? Mercedes-Benz’s technology is still the most advanced. Only the built-in navigation system in a Mercedes comes close to the quality of what you can get by just connecting a current smartphone. It’s great for people who need help following directions because the rules are rarely more explicit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are choices for people who like the operating system on their phones. They can be connected through wifi or a USB cable. When the Benz is linked to a smartphone, the larger touchscreen improves the projection experience by giving icons or the map more space.

Mercedes-Benz tops it off with a great Burmester music system and a state-of-the-art word recognition system. Even though the adaptive cruise control sometimes speeds up or slows down too quickly or too hard, the driving aid package is fully functional. On the other hand, the 360-degree camera technology is excellent and very useful for getting around in small areas.

What about putting things away? The C-Class has a valuable trunk, and the flat-folding rear seats and remote seat-folding buttons make it easy and quick to open the space between the box and the flat-folding rear seats. There is also a lot of valuable storage space under the floor. The trunk space is 12.6 cubic feet, which is typical for this type of car. The hinges on the trunk are safe, so your food bags won’t get crushed.

There is a lot of space for small items in the middle armrest, with doors that open in two places, two cupholders that can be eradicated when not in use, and average-sized door pockets. Besides the cupholders, it’s alright, but it’s also not very special.

Isofix pin and tether points make car seats easier to install and remove. Even though it’s still more challenging to load and unload kids in this class than in a minivan or SUV, it’s popular.

How well does it use gasoline? According to the EPA, the 48-volt mild hybrid engine in the C 300 helps it get a good 29 mpg in city and highway driving. On our real-world test route, we got an average of 30.7 mpg, which shows that the figures are correct. Given how much power this engine has, we were amazed at how well it uses fuel.

Should I buy a C-Class? Mercedes-Benz is more expensive than its competitors, yet the base C 300 is cheap. Even though this is a cliche, in this case, you do get what you paid for. This C-Class looks like an E-Class, so even though it’s small, the inside is much more excellent than you might think. Even though the panel fit and controls are better than average for the segment, the style and choice of materials are always perfect.

At four years and 50,000 miles, Mercedes’ engine and bumper-to-bumper guarantees are not the best in the class. In contrast to rivals, there is no free maintenance.

The C-Class is a fun car, even with the C 300 package. Mercedes always surprises us with how much luxury it can fit in a small space. The most current design for the outside doesn’t bother us, but it doesn’t get us excited, either.

As of this writing, Mercedes-Benz has not made any official comments about the 2024 C-Class. We’ll change our suggestion if something changes, but based on the C-Class from last year, we recommend the C 300 Exclusive. This is the middle trim level. It has a great Burmester luxury sound system and access to the Driver Assistance package of active safety features.

Different kinds of Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a small, high-end car with either rear or 4Matic all-wheel drive. This year’s range includes the C 300, C 300 4Matic, AMG C 43, and the new AMG C 63 S E Performance. Mercedes offers the Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trim packages for the C-Class, depending on your chosen version. Any C-Class made after 2024 can have extra features and tools added.

The C 300 has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that is a mild hybrid. It has 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the performance-tuned AMG C 43 makes 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The new plug-in hybrid motor for the 2024 AMG C 63 S E Performance is based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque. All three versions of the car have an automatic drive with nine speeds. The C 300 4Matic and the AMG come with all-wheel drive as standard.