Mercedes C-Class review: has it BECOME the E-Class?

The Mercedes C-Class is bigger than ever, but can it fill the role of an E-Class?

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Over recent years, the popularity of traditional petrol and diesel saloon cars like the Mercedes C-Class has been on the wane. High-riding SUVs continue to capture the hearts of buyers, and it’s a trend that hasn’t been lost on Mercedes, because it has redoubled its efforts with the latest C-Class to deliver improvements across key areas to help it stay competitive. Exterior styling, on-board tech, ride and comfort have all been thoroughly revised, while the most appealing update for cost-conscious buyers will be the introduction of new mild and plug-in hybrid models.

It also offers a sharp new look that's heavily inspired by its E-Class sibling, and it's a bigger car than the model that preceded it. Given its prowess, we wondered if the C-Class now has enough style, space and tech to play the role of the E-Class that sits above it in the Mercedes line up. Nicola Hume finds out in this in-depth review.

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[stefcep]

Anyone remember the days when drivers didn't take their eyes of the road in a moving car to change the air con?

[gerrywhelan]

Touch screens are getting more dangerous & distracting.
Safety should always come first before needless tech.

[Multifireturtle]

The heated seat buttons are on the doors next to the lock usually

[Rixdog]

Never gonna get used to iPads bolted to the dashboard. Gotta integrate them better

[alanwayte]

Screens are going to age very quickly...oh please let’s have safer dials and buttons

[grolfe]

The screen and touch controls looks to be dangerous, see how long she has to look down to find the right area to press.
The heating +/- on previous model is so easy and you do not need to take your eyes off the road.


As for the C v E issue. I had an old E which I loved. Went to the 2014 C as it was the newer generation to the E at that time and have now gone to the 2016 E. All as estates.
The E just drives better and has a waft to it. The standard of the interior is just so much better and is just plush in the E but like a Ford in the C.
E estates will just swallow anything. Endlessly struggled getting stuff in a C estate.
I know the new gen is a bit bigger but sorry but you will feel short changed with a C.

[LuMo]

Real life charging time is 3h because it only ships with an AC 11kwh converter by default. If you can't charge overnight then you should get the faster DC charging option which unfortunately wasn't available to me when I ordered... About the screen it's indeed a nightmare to navigate outside of the climate control or radio because you need to take your attention out of the road which is quite dangerous, I've learned to use the voice commands more and more as a result and they work quite ok compared to my previous Audi A4. The seat heating controls are on the door :)

[robsmitha]

Am I the only person who sets the climate control once when I buy a car and never touch it again after that?

[chrishazael]

The amount of time your eyes are off the road is EXTREMELY WORRYING!
Concentration on the road these days ?😱

[marvelcomiks]

I drive the C300-W205 (prefer mine over this newer model with the sleek headlights), and I wouldn't trade it for the E-class. They are 2 different niches and its not an up or down, they are just 2 distinct categories. E is really more executive in look and feel and C is vibrancy. If I had both cars, I would drive the E-class for occasional corporate meetings but zoom out with the C and hit the clubs once I reach home.

[machinelearninginproductio]

Almost half time and we are still reviewing the screen. Please consider reviewing the car.

[Shotter]

3:26 The amount of time your eye are off the road is alarming

[akindeemmanuel]

Does this come with the burmester 3D suround sound system?

[oliverwabwire]

Hard to replace physical phone surfaces!

[carlodipaolo]

Hopefully new owners will not crash their new C class while trying to acclimate to a touch screen tablet to operate things. For me the extra weight and expense of the electric part of it is just not worth having, But it does look like a very nice car.

[tashingadekune]

Hey Mercedes voice system can do a lot of commands like HEATED SEATS

[kpv]

This is Michael. Good review. Mark my words, the plug-in hybrids are the way to go and the future for the next 10 to 15 years. You're right that the charging infrastructure is not there for EVS, but a smaller battery can be charged easily at home, in little time, and makes Reliance upon the regular engine a lot less. What you didn't realize is that the car itself is also capable of charging the battery- that was a big mistake you made. the electric motor also gives great instant torque and a range of about 284 miles per gallon according to the EPA on the GLC e version.

As for the screen, Mercedes does an excellent job of still including many touch controls while also giving touch screen access. We have a Tesla Model 3 and I hate it because everything is through the touch screen and some things take two moves through the menus. Mercedes it does it right.

[scott]

An excellent review - but, why no mention of the pricing?

[ixtynine]

Could have just spoken aloud “Hey Mercedes turn on driver heated seat to max” to also test out the MBUX voice command system.

[quinty]

She took her eyes off the road for quite some time, didn't she. Too much screen distraction.😑