Our Opinion - 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review With the same beautiful looks as the bigger E-class and S-class models, the Mercedes-Benz C-class is supposed to bring the same level of beauty and respect to the compact sedan market. The interior mostly does a good job of making it look much more expensive than it is, thanks to high-end materials, cutting-edge technology, and the required big screens. All-wheel drive is an option, but the turbo four and nine-speed automatic transmissions send power to the back wheels smoothly. It has a less aggressive look than the BMW 3-series or the Audi A4, even though its suspension is strong and quick. The suspension system, on the other hand, might need to be more obvious. An easy way to answer that question is to buy one of the high-performance Mercedes-AMG C43 or C63 cars (reviewed separately), but the extra speed comes at a price. Even so, the C300 has a certain chic and appealing quality that can’t be copied because it’s classy without being flashy. What's New? For the 2019 model year, the C300 only gets a few small changes. It now comes with the latest version of Mercedes’ MBUX operating system and a center airbag as standard. As extras, you can get the Alpine Grey paint color, an MB-Tex steering wheel, and new Nappa leather seats. Pros and Cons Pros Technology and design that looks good. Powertrains that work better. The second row has a lot of room. Cons The materials and the price tag might only sometimes match up. This type isn’t as sporty as earlier ones. The feel of brakes that are soft. Engine, Transmission, and Performance All C-class cars have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 255 horsepower. The C300 company symbol is on the trunk lid, which curves inward. Along with the turbo four, there is a 48-volt hybrid system that can briefly make up to 20 horsepower more. All-wheel drive remains an option, although rear-wheel drive is standard. A nine-speed automatic transmission is the only one offered. It was surprising how stiff the ride was and how little feel there was in the steering, but the handling is quick, as you’d expect from a small sports car. The C300’s stopping power was good enough in Invoice Pricing tests; it only took 154 feet to stop from 70 mph, but we would have liked a firmer clutch feel. Safety The C-class comes with a number of driver-assistance technologies from Mercedes. However, the newest technology, adaptive cruise control, which uses navigation data to change the speed of the car as it approaches curves and roundabouts, is still a choice. The following are important safety features: Most automatic emergency brakes can identify who is on the road. There is an indicator for leaving your lane and an aid for staying in your lane. You can get adaptive speed control and lane-centering. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The C-class boasts a high-tech cabin, similar to the larger S-class vehicle. They all have a digital gauge display, touch-sensitive settings, and a lot of other cool features. Mercedes premium versions come standard with a sunroof, open-pore wood trim, metal accents, and heated front seats with memory settings. The new model also has a steering wheel that looks like the one in the S-class. The C-class is typically 2.5 inches longer than the previous generation, with an inch longer wheelbase. Mercedes-Benz says this makes the backseat with more legroom, but the change is a little small. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The EPA claims that C-class vehicles with rear-wheel drive can achieve up to 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the interstate. These numbers drop by two mpg each when all-wheel drive is added, to 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive C300 4Matic got 35 mpg in our highway test at 75 mph, which was better than its highway figure. Infotainment and Connectivity From the center console, an 11.9-inch infotainment tablet rises vertically and moves to three round air vents on the top dashboard. The middle screen controls MBUX 3, the newest version of Mercedes’ MBUX entertainment system. The screen is slightly tilted toward the driver to make things easier while driving. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that work wirelessly, a digital helper that you can talk to, and a Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting to the internet. All models have a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the ability to charge your phone wirelessly, and a fingerprint reader that checks the driver’s unique profile to make sure that the memory settings are correct. Additional options include a Burmester surround-sound stereo system, ambient lighting, and a head-up display. Range, Charging, and Battery Life In our tests, the all-wheel-drive C300 4Matic went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which was 0.1 seconds faster than the previous generation C-class. Price and How to Choose Depending on the options and specs, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-class can range from $49,600 to $53,750. In the C300, you can choose between Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trim levels. They are all similar in some way. If you’re looking for a bargain, we recommend the Exclusive trim. A panoramic sunroof, GPS, and the aggressive-looking AMG Line package are just a few of the numerous available choices. 4Matic all-wheel drive costs an extra $2,000.
