Used 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

While the favorite ride of the rich and famous is undoubtedly a well-appointed S-Class, Mercedes-Benz builds a smaller luxury ride that is well within reach of most upper-middle-class Americans. Offered in coupe and sedan form, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more than just an entry ticket into an exclusive car club, it is a safe, reliable and luxurious mode of transportation respected for excellence. Be it the classy coupe, the sub-$40,000 4-cylinder turbo C250 or the pricey yet thrilling V8 powered C63 AMG, there is a C-Class to fit most tastes and budgets. While not as performance tuned as rivals from Cadillac and BMW, the C-Class offers a more compliant ride preferred by many luxury buyers.

During our test drive of the 2014 C250, it quickly became apparent that Mercedes-Benz puts as much care into assembling the C-Class as it does it most expense luxury sedan. Beyond its smooth and solid driving characteristics, the C-Class is loaded with features, including a stylish and modern interior long missing from past C-Class cars. Our C250 provided plenty of power provided we left the adjustable automatic transmission in Sport mode, and its handling, while not BMW 3 Series-like, was nevertheless controlled and responsive. The 7-speed automatic performed flawlessly, and while we love the touch-shift manual mode, we still wish a manual transmission were available on the coupes. In the automatic’s Comfort setting, the C250’s power is only acceptable for a car of this cost and caliber. Models with the 3.5-liter V6 are plenty potent even in Comfort mode. The exception to the smooth-riding C-Class is the C63 AMG, which is all about blistering acceleration and razor sharp cornering.

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is elegant yet relatively understated inside. A 4.5-inch color display sits before the driver relaying trip, audio and navigation information. Even when outfitted with the base M-B Tex vinyl upholstery, the C-Class seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear-seat space is a bit tight in the 5-passenger sedan, and even more cramped in the coupe, which seats four and has a lower roofline that can bump against heads. Like other luxury cars, audio, telephone and navigation are controlled via a console-mounted dial whose functions are viewed on a color-LCD screen in the center dash.

While most of the updates for the 2014 C-Class are under the hood and dashboard, Mercedes has made tweaks to the outer design of its smallest car. The front grille now features black painted slats as standard equipment, while the C350 gains new turbine-blade 18-inch wheels. Though it has two fewer doors than its sedan siblings, the C-Class coupe is nearly identical in length, width and wheelbase, but lower in height, giving it a more sporty appearance. C-Class Sedans retain their angular look and feature a lighter aluminum hood, revised front and rear bumpers and redesigned headlights and taillights.

ATTENTION ASSIST
Standard on every 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Attention Assist can detect when a driver is drowsy and alerts him or her via visual and audible warnings. How does it do that? The car uses sensors that “observe driver behavior,” based primarily on steering wheel movements.

MBRACE2
A true leap forward in telematics, Mbrace2 is a Cloud-based subscription service that uses your smartphone to connect to the internet, allowing apps like Facebook, Google and Yelp to be online and at work whenever the car’s in motion. Mbrace2 can even download system and map updates.

All C-Class models come with a 7-speed automatic transmission, Attention Assist drowsiness monitor, 11 airbags, Mbrace2 telematics, a power sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, garage door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-zone climate control, 8-way power front seats, split-folding rear seat, 5.8-inch color screen with center controller and AM/FM/HD Radio with CD player and auxiliary/USB inputs. Coupes add a panorama roof and paddle shifters for manual gear selection.

Comfort, tech and safety options abound in the 2014 C-Class. Among them are an in-vehicle hotspot for internet connectivity, blind-spot monitor, rear-view camera, push-button start/stop, and a navigation system loaded with useful information such as ATM locations and Zagat Survey restaurant ratings. The high-end audio option is a 12-speaker, 450-watt harman/kardon Logic7 Surround Sound system. A new AMG Sports Package Plus adds enhanced exhaust tuning, sport interior, 18-inch 7-spoke wheels and, on coupes, a revised front suspension.

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers a host of engine and drivetrain choices, starting with the C250’s 4-cylinder engine. The fuel-efficient 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder makes 201 horsepower, enabling the C250 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds. More powerful still is the C350, with a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 that makes 302 horsepower (248 in the C300 4Matic). The incredible C63 AMG boasts a 6.3-liter V8 that makes 451 horsepower – and has fuel-economy numbers that add a one-time $1,700 gas-guzzler tax. Not enough power? Order the Edition 507 package and output is elevated to an insane 507 horsepower. All models use a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode (no manual transmission is available).

C250 sedan and coupe:
1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4
201 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
229 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg

C300 4Matic sedan:
3.5-liter V6
248 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
251 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg

C350 sedan and coupe:
3.5-liter V6
302 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29 mpg (gasoline), 15/21 mpg (E85)

C63 AMG sedan and coupe:
6.3-liter V8
451 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg