2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertible

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertible 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.

　　, rating written byBrian WongDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　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 C 300 2dr Convertible (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

　　$196/mo  for C-Class C 300

　　C-Class C 300

　　C 300 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $57,250 MSRPC 300 4MATIC 2dr Convertible AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $59,250 MSRPAMG C 43 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $69,250 MSRPAMG C 63 S 2dr Convertible (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $90,000 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.

　　Inside, it gets the same technology upgrades and cabin updates that we enjoyed in the C 300. Our rating for the C-Class is based on the C 300, which will be the volume model for the sedan. Check out what our editors thought about the C 300 in greater detail below.

　　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

　　7.5

　　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 300 Cabriolet's turbocharged four-cylinder is sufficiently quick and provides more than adequate power for passing slower traffic. It brakes well too. It's easy to stop smoothly in routine driving or quickly in emergencies. The nine-speed automatic transmission performs with luxury-car smoothness in everyday situations. The auto stop-start system is less refined and rocks the car when the engine churns to life.

　　The C 300, when fitted with the optional sport-tuned suspension, feels planted and secure when driving around turns. The steering effort has an appropriate amount of heft at higher speeds, allowing for more precise and predictable control than you might expect from an entry-level convertible. The optional summer tires provide an almost surplus of grip.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the C-Class? The C-Class Cabriolet's single most significant problem is its rough ride. The C 300 should be the most relaxed and comfortable trim in the lineup, but our test vehicle's AMG Line package (which includes a sport-tuned suspension) should be avoided at all costs. The optional 19-inch wheels, which our car also had, don't help either.

　　The well-insulated top keeps the interior comfortable when it's up, but the climate system is no match for the top down on a cool day. Again, with the top up, outside noise is barely noticeable. Stowing the top creates more wind buffeting than we expected, and the C 300 exhibits severe body shudder and shake on broken roads.

　　On the other hand, the front seats offer plenty of adjustment and lateral support. The padding is firm, but the contoured surfaces make them comfortable for long drives.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below