The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been around in Australia since 1993 and has
consistently been the company’s biggest selling model, at least until the last few years
when overtaken by a number of SUV variants.
C-Class comes in three body styles: coupe, convertible and sedan each with the choice of
1.5-litre (C 200) or 2.0-litre (C 300) engines. Note that only the sedan versions have been
given an upgrade at this time, the two-doors will arrive next year as will high-performance
C43 and C63 AMG models.
Our test car was a fully-optioned C 200 sedan.
STYLING
The latest Merc C-Class sedan follows similar lines as its large S-Class sibling with similar
coupe-like profile and scalable lines. A long bonnet and shorter front overhang highlights
this sleek appearance.
The oval grille features a single horizontal bar with the iconic three-pointed star in the
centre of the grille. In a clever piece of design, the grille infill comprises hundreds of tiny
matching stars.
Both the C 200 and C 300 have the AMG Line kit and body styling fitted as standard as
well as 19-inch five-spoke AMG alloy wheels
There are ten colour choices, nine of them being $2500 metallic options.
Styling features with the optional Vision Package include a dual-pane panoramic sunroof
INTERIOR
The interior of the C-Class inherits a number of design features from the S-Class and it
brings a real premium look that hasn’t been there in previous models.
The 2022 upgrade C-Class sedan gets a longer wheelbase than the previous model which
converts into extra rear seat legroom.
You can store your user preferences and log into the car using a fingerprint scanner which
allows multiple drivers to preset their seat position and cabin set up configured as soon as
they activate their profile.
Boot capacity is 475 litres expandable with the rear seatbacks folded. This can be done
without entering the car via small levers on either side of the boot’s interior.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Mercedes C 200 is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with outputs of
150 kW and 300 Nm of torque from a very handy 1800 rpm linked with a 48-volt mild-
hybrid (MHEV) starter-generator that sits between the electric motor and nine-speed
G-Tronic automatic transmission.
The C 300 has a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol MHEV that generates 190 kW and 400 Nm.
SAFETY
Standard safety features in the C 200 include 10 airbags, including pelvic and thorax bags
for the driver and front passenger; enhanced ABS brakes with hold and brake drying
functions; autonomous emergency braking; adaptive cruise control; electronic stability
program with acceleration skid control; active bonnet; lane keeping assist; blind spot
monitoring; active distance assist; active parking assist; front and rear parking sensors;
extended run-flat tyres; hill start assist; speed limit assist; and tyre pressure monitoring.
The optional Driving Assistance Plus package adds active blind spot assist; active brake
assist; cross traffic alert; active distance assist; active emergency stop assist; lane change
assist; steering assist; stop-and-go assist; evasive steering assist; and traffic sign
recognition.
INFOTAINMENT
Unlike the E 350 that we drove recently which uses a wide, narrow infotainment screen,
the C 200 takes a different approach with a 11.9-inch portrait tablet-like high-definition
touchscreen occupying most of the depth of the dashboard.
The new C-Class gets the latest version of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience)
with nice large tabs
The second screen is a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster that can be customised in
a variety of ways.
Both the screens can be adjusted via small controls in the twin-spoke steering wheel while
the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command system proves a third, even safer, way of operating
controls.
Other features include premium satellite navigation with live traffic updates, parked vehicle
locator; smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; DAB+ digital radio;
and emergency calling.
There are two USB-C ports in the centre console and another at the bottom of the
dashboard next to the wireless smartphone charging pad. None in the rear.
DRIVING
The coupe-like roofline is likely to make entry and exit a bit awkward for taller occupants
but once ensconced the front seats are large, supportive and comfortable. By necessity
the driving position was lower than we prefer but that’s normal in passenger cars of this ilk.
There’s good rear leg and headroom for four adults without any compromise required
from those in the front seats. The centre rear seat is really only suitable for children. Again,
this is pretty well the norm for cars of this size.
We loved the tablet-style infotainment screen, positioned in the centre and slightly angled
towards, and within easy reach of the driver.
Our test car came with the optional head-up display but the number of features occupied
far more of the windscreen than we liked.
One of the most impressive features of the C 200 is its fuel consumption. Listed at 6.9
litres per 100 kilometres, we averaged 7.1 L/100 km during our test and even managed
6.0 L/100km on our 100 km return trip from Gosford to Sydney.
The nine-speed automatic shifted smoothly at all times with steering wheel-mounted
paddles there if needed.
The feel of the brake pedal changes as you switch from regeneration mode to friction
(normal) braking. During our testing we gradually became used to the feel.
While the C-Class isn’t designed as a sports machine you can set it up in sporty mode for
more spirited driving.
Handling is precise and the car responds nicely to inputs through the steering wheel.
SUMMING UP
Mercedes-Benz has tackled the tricky task of packing the luxury of its large S-Class into
the mid-sized C-Class and done a pretty good job of it. It has come at a cost though, with
the new C 200 priced at just under $80,000 before options and on-road costs.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 9/10
Thirst: 9/10
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 9/10
Value: 7/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
C 200 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $78,000
C 300 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $90,400
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your
local Mercedes-Benz dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Mercedes-Benz C 200 MHEV 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.496 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 150 kW @ 5800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 300 Nm @ 1800 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded petrol
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.9 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 157 g/km
DRIVELINE: Nine-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4751 mm
Wheelbase: 2865 mm
Width: 1820 mm
Height: 1437 mm
Turning Circle: 10.6 metres
Kerb Mass:1550 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 66 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres
