2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Mercedes' new S-Class certainly sets new standards for luxury and opulence. But you know, you might not be able to afford a six-figure executive sedan with facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner. If so, you might want to consider the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Available in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles, the C-Class is a versatile small luxury car that offers an appealing mix of comfort, performance and top-notch construction.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$166/mo  for C-Class C 300

　　C-Class C 300

　　C 300 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $41,600 MSRPC 300 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $47,200 MSRPC 300 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $54,700 MSRPC 300 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $43,600 MSRPC 300 4MATIC 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $49,200 MSRPC 300 4MATIC 2dr Convertible AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $56,700 MSRPAMG C 43 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $56,500 MSRPAMG C 43 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $59,000 MSRPAMG C 43 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $65,500 MSRPAMG C 63 4dr Sedan (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $68,600 MSRPAMG C 63 2dr Coupe (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $70,650 MSRPAMG C 63 2dr Convertible (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $78,000 MSRPAMG C 63 S 4dr Sedan (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $76,200 MSRPAMG C 63 S 2dr Coupe (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $78,250 MSRPAMG C 63 S 2dr Convertible (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $85,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　But this current-generation C-Class — it dates back to the 2015 model year — is getting on its years, and it lacks the newest Mercedes infotainment interface. As such, the A-Class and the E-Class — the two vehicles that bookend the C-Class in terms of price and size — feel more modern and up-to-date. Check out our zzdcar Expert Rating for the full rundown of this Merc's hits and misses.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the C-Class drive? The C-Class we tested, the C 300, places few demands on the driver. It makes sufficient power for a luxury sedan with a base engine and, when equipped with the optional AMG sport suspension, offers exceptional handling. You also get responsive steering and unflappable braking.

　　Acceleration feels strong. The C 300 has an zzdcar-tested 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds, though it trails both the Audi A4 (5.3 seconds) and the BMW 330i (5.6 seconds) a tad. The nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but it can seem a little hesitant to downshift when you're driving in the default Comfort drive mode. You can liven it up with the Sport mode, but then the shifting can seem overcaffeinated.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the C-Class? It's unfortunate that the C 300 scores so poorly here. We like how the front seats are supremely comfortable and offer a broad range of adjustment for all body types. The climate control system is full-featured and effective too.

　　But our test car had the optional AMG sport suspension coupled with 19-inch wheels. So equipped, the C 300 suffers from an overly firm ride. There's a constant level of jarring vibration that will make you question whether the car is, in fact, a Mercedes-Benz. The engine too comes across as unrefined, and it sounds buzzy when you lay into the gas pedal.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? An elegant center stack with only the most necessary controls adds to the C 300's classy vibe. Unfortunately, the price for this minimalist design is that some functions lack physical buttons. The only way to access them is through menus in the infotainment display screen.

　　Getting in and out is easy thanks to wide door openings and a tall enough ride height. It makes entry feel more like sliding in than dropping in. There's plenty of room up front, and the wide range of seating adjustments ensures drivers of all sizes can find a comfortable and commanding driving position. On the downside, it has less rear legroom and footroom than some rival luxury sedans.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The C 300's 10.25-inch display has crisp, clear graphics. You can control the infotainment system in many ways, including touchpad controllers on the steering wheel and a more traditional dial-and-button array. It's overkill, but all the controls work seamlessly, and many drivers will appreciate the choice.

　　The optional Burmester sound system is excellent, and the optional digital gauge cluster is worth the expense. It puts the status and control of several functions (navigation, audio, phone) in your direct line of sight. The driver assist features work well and are well calibrated, but they're a pricey option.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The C 300's trunk (12.6 cubic feet) is small for the class. A low bumper height and a fairly wide trunk opening make it easy to load luggage and gear. But the trunk is deeper than it is wide, and there's no compensating for the lack of overall space. The cabin doesn't offer a lot of places to store your small items either.

　　Got kids? You won't have trouble finding the lower car seat anchors and rear tether points. But because of the C-Class' limited rear legroom, installing a bulky rear-facing seat might be a tight squeeze depending on where you position the front seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We tested the C 300 with all-wheel drive. The EPA estimates it gets 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is a bit less than rivals. We recorded an underwhelming 24 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the C-Class a good value? A base C-Class is competitively priced. But adding options quickly pushes the price skyward. Our loaded test car was $63,525 as equipped. Many of its options were nice but not essential — and in the case of the AMG Line package, with its stiff suspension, and the optional 19-inch wheels, we'd argue detrimental.

　　The A-Class is the new "entry-level" Benz, but the C-Class has been the traditional point of entry. So for an entry-level luxury car, build quality is exceptional. There's an impressive attention to detail and fit and finish in this mass-produced luxe sedan. Panel fit, controls, trim and brightwork are all very solid.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The C 300 can range from mild to wild, the latter especially when equipped with the optional AMG package. We're not sure it's worth it since the ride comfort is a significant downgrade from what we'd consider to be the peak Benz experience of a competent, coddling ride. The AMG package can be a thrill for some drivers, although for those drivers, we'd recommend simply moving up to the C 43 for more power and overall sportiness.

　　Absent the stiff suspension and ride, though, the C-Class remains a kind of old-school luxury experience, with the benefit of modern tech, design, connectivity and driver safety. The margins between its rivals are thin, but the Benz still exudes a bit more elegance and grace.

　　

Which C-Class does zzdcar recommend?

Any of the AMG models will give you the thrills you'd expect of a sport sedan, but consider sticking with the standard C 300. It has a decent amount of power and the money you save with it means you can spend more on the C-Class' optional extras if you want. The Premium package is a good place to start. The Driver Assistance package is comprehensive without being overly pricey, though it also requires adding the Multimedia package.

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a small luxury car sold in sedan, coupe and convertible (Cabriolet) body styles. Five trims are available in increasing levels of performance: C 300, C 300 4Matic, AMG C 43, AMG C 63 and AMG C 63 S. Most models use rear-wheel drive, though the C 300 4Matic and AMG C 43 feature all-wheel drive. Regardless of engine, a nine-speed automatic is the only transmission available.

　　C 300 and C 300 4Matic

　　The base C 300 and C 300 4Matic are virtually identical; the only difference is that the former features rear-wheel drive and the latter is equipped with all-wheel drive. Standard features include:

　　Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque) LED headlights Sunroof (sedan and coupe only) Power trunklid Keyless entry and ignition Digital gauge cluster Dual-zone automatic climate control Driver-seat memory settings Neck heater (Cabriolet only) Heated front seats Simulated leather upholstery 10.25-inch central infotainment display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity Premium package (Cabriolet only, see below) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change)The C 300 is available with a wide range of option packages and stand-alone options. These include:

　　AMG Line package Aerodynamic body kit Chrome starburst-pattern grille Rear spoiler Sport-tuned suspension Sport seats Premium package Ambient interior lighting 13-speaker Burmester premium audio system Satellite radio Night Edition package Premium package AMG Line package Black-painted exterior accents Black grille Imitation suede seat inserts Multimedia package Navigation system Touchpad controller Car-to-X functionality (can electronically communicate with infrastructure and other vehicles equipped with this technology) Parking Assistance package Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the C-Class and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Driver Assistance package Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front. Can also react to traffic signs and set speed) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Panoramic sunroof Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Leather upholstery Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Wireless charging padAMG C 43

　　The AMG C 43 turns up the performance wick with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (385 hp, 384 lb-ft) and all-wheel drive. Other additions include:

　　Premium package Aerodynamic body kit Sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers Upgraded brakes Sport exhaust Sport steering wheel Imitation suede seat insertsThe AMG C 43 is available with all of the C 300's options and packages. You can also opt for:

　　Performance exhaust Configurable steering wheel controls AMG Track Pace software applicationAMG C 63

　　The high-performance AMG C 63 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (469 hp, 479 lb-ft). On top of AMG C 43 content, it adds:

　　Electronic rear limited-slip differential Performance exhaust Additional driving modes IWC analog clockAMG C 63 S

　　The AMG C 63 S uses a more potent version of the V8, this time tuned to deliver 503 hp and 516 lb-ft. Also included are:

　　Unique grille Dynamic engine mounts Additional traction modes Configurable steering wheel controls Leather upholsteryThe AMG C 63 and C 63 S can be optioned with any of the C 300's features unless otherwise already included.

　　

2021 C-Class Highlights

Type: AMG C 43AMG C 63SedanCoupeAMG C 63 SConvertibleSedan

　　Trim: C 300C 300 4MATICAMG C 43AMG C 63AMG C 63 SC 300

　　

Base MSRP	$41,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles