Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review 2024

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is small saloon elite, enjoying decades of success as a shrunken-down, more affordable sibling to the all-conquering Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The latest, fifth-generation version is the most high-tech yet, but is it the best? Our 2022 Mercedes C-Class review aims to find out. 

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class used to be one of the go-to small premium models, sharing that aspirational limelight with its closest rivals, the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. That appeal has lasted for decades, but times are changing. 

Compact saloons (even the most desirable ones) are losing out in the sales charts to SUVs that offer the same premium look and feel but with greater practicality and a lord-it-over driving position. The Tesla Model 3 saloon might be one of the best-selling electric cars, for example, but as soon as the taller, more rugged-looking Model Y arrived it played second fiddle. 

In some ways, then, the Mercedes C-Class's main rivals are the brand's own GLC and GLC Coupe, sharing much with them under-the-skin. But the C-Class clearly still matters to Mercedes-Benz, otherwise it wouldn't be the first of the trio to move to the latest generation. 

It's the freshest compact executive model on the block, making the seven year-old Audi A4 look more dated than a 70s sitcom. And behind that classy shrunken S-Class body are huge advances in technology, with all sorts of clever features and driver assists that you would've found only in the flagship saloon a few years ago.

Inside you get the similar elegant look and large, portrait-angled touchscreen as the S-Class, too. Of course it's not a luxury limo that lets you lie down with your legs out in the back, but the Mercedes C-Class is still pretty roomy for four adults and their luggage. 

On the road, comfort is clearly the priority, with the C-Class not quite offering the agile sports saloon feel of the 3 Series. But many buyers will be happier with its ability to waft along serenely, while powerful engines and still tidy handling won't put anyone off. 

Speaking off engines, the 2022 Mercedes C-Class offers something for every taste. There's a pair of petrols, a pair of diesels (unlike rivals such as the Volvo S60, diesel options remain) and the popular plug-in hybrid C300e. All have four-cylinder engines now, and even the AMG-tuned C43 and C63 models will too, which will raise some eyebrows. Keep reading to find out more. 

As is the Mercedes way there is a variety of suspension setups available on the C-Class, ranging from a softer-sprung standard fitment to a sportier tune with adaptive dampers. For this test our car came equipped with sports suspension with selective damping, riding 15mm lower than the standard setup.

Usually this type of suspension is best avoided for a small executive saloon as comfort is compromised, but most of the time the C-Class felt composed and comfortable, especially at high speeds where it positively eats up the miles. There was some thumping at lower speeds on rough roads, but much of that can be blamed on the 19-inch wheels of our test car. 

That compromise results is an extremely stable yet still plush-riding motorway car. Refinement is pretty strong, too, despite a bit of road noise (again, blame the wheels). And although the C-Class doesn't manage the sports saloon agility and tightness of a 3 Series, it's not too shabby on a twisty road and more isolating. 

There's some body movement and a touch of floatiness, but the steering is precise and has decent weight to it. You can get into a nice flow in a series of bends, even if we wouldn't call it fun. We've not yet driven the C300e, which has air suspension at the rear to help offset the battery weight. 

In town the Mercedes C-Class is pretty easy to drive, with decent (not brilliant) visibility aided by some very clever camera systems on the top-spec model. It uses augmented reality tech to show you a top down 360-degree view, but you can also select high-res individual cameras dotted around the car to assist with parking. 

The engine range of the latest Mercedes C-Class isn't as extensive as the old model, which could be had with four, six and eight-cylinder power. All engines are now four cylinder-only, with either mild or plug-in hybrid assistance. 

While that could be a major complaint in the AMG-tuned C43 and C63 models coming soon, it's not a huge deal in the standard models. The engine range kicks off with the 204PS C200 petrol, which we've yet to try but will be adequate for most with a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds. 

Is 'adequate' enough for a premium model, though? We see why you might upgrade to the 258PS C300, which is barely less efficient on paper yet manages 0-62mph in a more effortless six seconds flat. 

The 197PS C220d is just as fast as the C200 petrol on paper, but that torquier diesel makes it feel more effortless. When you consider the impressive efficiency it should be all the car you need, even if it isn't as potent as a BMW 320d. 

Noticeable extra shove comes from the 265PS C300d, which we've spent the most time in. It feels pretty rapid even loaded up with people, and although you do miss the cultured six-cylinder engine note of a 330d the engine remains decently refined. 

The nine-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and fast-acting most of the time. We say most of the time, because sometimes when you want a decisive gearchange (when pulling onto a busy roundabout, for example) it dithers for that little bit of time it takes to be irritating. That's common with the Audi A4, too, although the 3 Series manages to react more quickly.

The Mercedes C-Class was awarded the maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP in crash testing. That's in theory the same as most rivals, but many were tested before the tests got so stringent. We'd go as far as saying the C-Class is probably the safest car in its class. 

All versions have automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and active lane assist, plus a plethora of airbags (even one between the front seats). The Driving Assistance Package Plus also brings another level of active safety alongside adaptive cruise control, steering aids and blind spot collision avoidance. 

Six footers can get very comfortable in the front of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with plenty of seat and wheel adjustment and legroom to spare.

The panoramic sunroof option does rob a bit of headroom, but this 6ft 3 tester didn't feel hemmed in. The sports seats aren't the most figure-hugging around, but they are comfortable for long distances. 

In the back you'll again find modest headroom if you spec the sunroof, but it's not cramped by any means. Certainly legroom is more generous than some small saloons, while the seats themselves are nicely sculpted and comfortable. There is a large central tunnel, though, so a middle-seat occupant won't be happy with longer journeys.

Happily, that rear bench splits in a useful 40/20/40 three-way action, making it more useful than the majority of its rivals for loading long items. The C-Class also detects that the seat have been folded and (if electric seats are fitted) will bring the front chairs forward automatically. 

With the seats up the Mercedes C-Class's boot capacity is 455 litres, which is acceptable but not class-leading, and no better than the old car. The saloon's opening is pretty wide, though, while there's hooks and tie down points. 

That boot capacity drops significantly in the C300e plug-in hybrid to just 315-litres, a capacity more akin to a small car. At least you can now fold the rear seats in it unlike the old versions, while there's no longer a big step in the floor. 

Taken at face value you'd say the C-Class has a very posh cabin, with lots of neat details, cool ambient lighting and metal-look finishes. But when you start poking around you realise that some elements aren't quite setting the standard for quality. 

While there are nice touchpoints on the doors and major controls, there's some cheaper feeling plastic around the lower dashboard and centre console, and in some places on the upper dash. What's more, our example had the odd creak and rattle over certain bumps (something we've also experienced in the A-Class-sized models). 

We're not saying it's flimsy or downmarket - far from it. But with the very high standards set by BMW, Audi, Volvo and even the latest Jaguars on this front, it isn't quite as solid and consistent as we'd like. It seems Mercedes-Benz has focused on design form over solidity.

It doesn't matter which version of the Mercedes C-Class you go for, all come with a big 11.9-inch portrait-angled touchscreen dominating the centre of the dashboard. That's paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. 

Using the brand's latest 'MBUX' software, the bright and super sharp centre screen is really responsive. There's some physical controls below the screen for key features, but you can also operate the screen via Mercedes' advanced voice control. It's very good, although BMW's iDrive rotary controller is easier to get on with while driving. 

More fiddly, though are the C-Class's steering wheel controls. Mercedes has ditched physical buttons for touchpads where you have to swipe your finger or thumb in the direction you want the touchscreen or instrument display to go. In our experience it would often go the wrong way, switching between menus when all we wanted to do is skip a song. It's frustrating, particularly when traditional wheel buttons are an absolute doddle.

Still, we can't argue with the sheer amount of tech features available, including a clever head-up display that projects navigation arrows down the road you need to turn down, while the main display shows a camera image and further arrows (it's known as augmented reality).

Of course there's Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus USB-C sockets and a wireless phone charging pad. High-end versions can also have an impressive 13-speaker Burmester sound system. 

Prices for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class start at £39,860 for a C200 Sport, rising to £41,245 for the AMG Line and £44,345 for the AMG Line Premium trim. Top-flight AMG-Line Premium Plus models start at £48,095.

Comparable versions of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 are a little bit cheaper to buy, but you might find the price different equalises when it comes to finance. The newer, more desirable C-Class will likely hold its value better than those models. 

The Mercedes C300 e plug-in hybrid starts from £46,310 in AMG Line form. Again, that's a few thousand pounds more in basic list price terms than a BMW 330e. 

Diesels start at £42,160 for the C220d, riding to £47,300 for the higher-spec C300d. In terms of the used market, the latest C-Class hasn't been out for very long, so you won't be finding any bargains. In fact with long waiting lists you'll probably end up paying even more for a lightly used or ex-demo model. 

This is a premium car with a premium price, so it's good to know that the Mercedes C-Class is really efficient in every version. The C200 and C300 petrols manage up to 44.1 and 42.2mpg respectively on the combined WLTP cycle, which is very competitive. 

The diesels are the star of the show here, though, with the C220d managing between 58.9 and 61.4mpg and the C300d claiming between 53.3 and 55.4mpg. We managed high fifties out of a C300d on a motorway and A-road run, however. 

If you're not constantly doing long distances then the C300 e will make a lot of sense. Officially it'll do up to 470mpg, which is an incredible figure and thanks to its long electric-only range. Of course it'll only do that figure if most of your journeys are shorter and you have ample opportunity to charge up. 

Mercedes is yet to confirm insurance groups for the C-Class, but we know the first year's road tax (VED) will cost between £190 and £585 depending on which engine you go for. On the plug-in hybrid that figure is just £10.

All versions default to the £165 a year flat rate after that except the C300e, which is £155. Bear in mind, though, that all except the cheapest few C-Class variants are over the £40,000 list-price threshold, resulting in a £355 surcharge on top of the VED rate for five years after registration. 

The entry-level Mercedes C-Class Sport gets 17-inch alloy wheels, the large infotainment screen and digital dials, lowered 'Agility Control' suspension, LED headlights, drive mode selection, LED cabin lighting, keyless start, parking package with a reversing camera and 'Urban Guard' vehicle protection. 

The next step up is the Mercedes C-Class AMG Line, which upgrades the alloy wheels to 18 inches, adds AMG exterior styling add-ons, AMG floor mats, faux leather dash trim, a nappa leather wheel, privacy glass and stainless steel pedals. 

Upgrading further to the Mercedes C-Class AMG Line Premium brings 19-inch multi-spoke alloys, adaptive highbeam assist with matrix LEDs, ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, keyless entry, electric memory front seats, augmented reality navigation and the 360-degree camera system. 

And finally, the Mercedes C-Class AMG Line Premium Plus adds extra kit such as two-tone alloys, a head-up display, a panoramic opening sunroof and four-zone climate control.