2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C 43

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C 43 Review

byBrian WongSenior Reviews Editor

　　Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.

　　The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class welcomes a new addition to the lineup this year: the high-performance AMG C 43, which adds a dash of excitement to the C 300's focus on comfort and luxury. The changes for the new C 43, like the C 300, only apply to the sedan. Mercedes will continue to sell the coupe and convertible versions of the C-Class for the 2023 model year, but the two-doors are still based on the fourth-generation C-Class rather than the fifth-generation sedan.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C 43 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$213/mo  for C-Class AMG C 43

　　C-Class AMG C 43

　　AMG C 43 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $59,900 MSRPAMG C 43 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $62,600 MSRPAMG C 43 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $69,250 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The new AMG C 43 sedan drops two cylinders, giving it a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder instead of the V6 found in the previous model. It also gets a mild hybrid system like the C 300, but the emphasis here is on performance and not efficiency. Total system output is 402 horsepower and 369 lb-feet of torque, with the starter-generator motor able to kick in a boost of 13 extra horsepower on demand. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. All-wheel drive is standard along with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

　　Instead of a variable torque ratio, the AWD system always sends 31% of its power to the front wheels and 69% to the rear, giving it a sporty feel that has a rear-drive bias. It also comes with upgraded Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires for added grip and a stiffer suspension that decreases comfort but ups the C 43's agility.

　　Overall, we think the C-Class is a solid pick for a small luxury sedan. But it might also be worth your time to also check out the Audi A5, BMW 3 Series and Genesis G70. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full report on the 2023 C-Class.

　　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.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the AMG C 43 drive? The AMG C 43 is a solid performer. At our test track, our test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds at 108.1 mph. That's quick but ultimately similar to what we've gotten from the BMW M340i. We like the responsive nature of the powertrain, even at low rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, though we found it could occasionally stumble and be in the wrong gear at city speeds.

　　As you might expect from any AMG-tuned model, the C 43 offers excellent handling and on-road manners. Body roll is minimal, and the car changes direction well. There's no wallowing or heavy lean, and the standard rear-axle steering helps the C 43 maintain a tight line. It also helps with parking too since it tightens the car's turning radius. Our biggest critique involves the steering, which doesn't provide much feel for the car's grip to the driver.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the AMG C 43? The AMG C 43's standard sport seats are comfortable and supportive. The padding is on the firm side, but we weren't complaining after a few hours behind the wheel. Ride comfort is on the firm side, so you'll feel bumps and imperfections on anything less than perfect roads. It's not backbreaking, but it doesn't settle down like we expect a sport sedan to, especially given how well some rivals ride. The rear end can feel particularly stiff and unsettled on uneven pavement.

　　The AMG C 43 isn't as quiet as its rivals, with higher noise levels at idle and at highway speeds than expected. It's not that the exhaust sounds bad, but we want a bit more luxury in our sport sedans. Our test vehicle was equipped with four-zone automatic climate control. The fans blow hard and the air conditioning is cold, but the automatic climate setting doesn't seem to be able to hold a steady temperature. There was a lot of adjusting back and forth when we got too cold or too warm.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below