Our Opinion - 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review The latest Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan looks much like a smaller S-class in many ways. It has many of the same tech features as the brand’s flagship sedan and looks and feels the same on the outside and inside, but it’s more petite and more fun to drive. Even though the high-end materials and modern display panels on the inside are impressive, we don’t like how many touch-sensitive controls there are. Standard on the C300 is a smooth 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine. If you want more power from your C-class, check out the AMG C43 and C63 (reviewed separately). Even though the base C-class performs well, its chassis could be smoother. This makes the ride uncomfortable on bumpy roads and the handling of jerky. Even though it doesn’t drive as well as competitors like the BMW 3-series and Audi A4, the C-class is a strong competitor for compact luxury sedans. What's New? Mercedes didn’t make any changes to the sedan for 2023 but updated it for 2022. The coupe and convertible versions of the old C-class will be available until 2023, but we expect them to be phased out in favor of the CLE-class. Pros and Cons Pros: The C-Class looks more expensive because it has a high-end interior. Excellent fuel efficiency and quick acceleration You can’t break a nine-speed transmission. There is a high-performance version of the AMG C 43. Cons: Some controls are hard to use because they require too much thought. There has yet to be any maintenance planned. Some parts of the multimedia are slow. Engine, Transmission, and Performance All 2023 C-class sedans with the C300 logo on the slim trunk lid have the same 255-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The four-cylinder turbo engine is made better by a 48-volt hybrid system that can temporarily add up to 20 horsepower. The standard setup is rear-wheel drive, but you can still get all-wheel drive if you want to. The only transmission choice is an automatic with nine speeds. In our tests, the C300 4Matic with all-wheel purpose beat the C-class from the previous generation by 0.1 seconds, taking 5.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. We thought a small sports sedan would be easy to drive, but the steering didn’t feel good, and the ride was rough. The C300’s brakes worked well enough to stop from 70 mph in 154 feet, but we would like the pedals to feel firmer. The C300 coupe and convertible are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower. However, they don’t have the 48-volt hybrid technology in the C300 sedan. Both cars will be made on C-class chassis from the last generation until 2023. Safety The Mercedes C-class comes with several driver assistance technologies as standard. However, the most incredible technology in the car, like an adaptive cruise control system that uses navigation data to adjust the vehicle’s speed for approaching curves and roundabouts, is still an option. Among the essential safety features are the following: Pedestrian identification is a standard for automatic emergency brakes. Some lane-departure warnings and components help you stay in your lane. There is an option for adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The C-high-tech class has the same interior as the flagship S-class, which is more extensive. All models have a digital gauge display, controls you can use by touching them, and many other excellent features. Mercedes’s new model comes with a long list of luxury features that come as standard, such as heated front seats with memory settings, a sunroof, open-pore wood trim, aluminum accents, and a steering wheel that looks like the one in the S-class. Since the last model, the C-class has grown about 2.5 inches in length, and the wheelbase has grown by an inch. Mercedes-Benz says this means there is more legroom in the back seats, but the change is small. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The C-Class sedan has a huge central touchscreen that is placed in a vertical orientation like Tesla’s. This regular display is canted toward the driver for ease of use and is 11.9 inches. Additionally, a 12.3-inch completely digital instrument cluster is included in the package as standard. With a fingerprint reader underneath the central display, drivers can activate the C-new Class’s MBUX infotainment system. An Augmented Vision for Navigation feature superimposes arrows and house numbers onto the dashboard to make it easier for users to navigate their way through town. This feature is available as an option. Infotainment and Connectivity A large 12.3-inch infotainment screen rises vertically from the center console toward three round air vents on the upper dashboard. The Mercedes MBUX entertainment system is controlled by a touchscreen slightly angled toward the driver to make it easier to use while driving. It has a voice-activated digital assistant, Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All models have an 11.9-inch digital gauge display and a fingerprint sensor to ensure the driver’s profile is used for memory settings. Optional features include a Burmester surround sound stereo system, ambient lighting, a head-up display, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Price and How to Choose We’d choose the C300 sedan from the most recent generation of C-class cars. There are now three trim levels for the sedan: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle. These levels combine popular features. People think that the Exclusive trim is the best deal. There are still upgrades like a panoramic sunroof, GPS, the sporty-looking AMG Line package, and more. All-wheel drive costs an extra $2,000 when you add 4Matic.
