2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Not everyone wants or needs a large luxury sedan like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, even though it’s a marvel of technology and textures. But more of us would be quite happy with some of that flavor in a more affordable and smaller package. Luckily, Mercedes-Benz has had the same idea and produces the C-Class. In the days before SUVs roamed the Earth, the C-Class was one of the company’s biggest sellers. The current generation only debuted last year, and Mercedes-Benz has still put a lot of research and development into it. Just because it’s compact doesn’t mean it’s lacking. The C-Class is a well-executed and highly desirable luxury car.

The C 300 gains parking sensors at both ends, along with wireless charging and satellite radio. This year also marks the debut of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance, a high-performance plug-in hybrid model employing technology developed for Formula 1 racing. There’s one other change. Last year’s C-Class coupes and convertibles have now been discontinued, replaced by the all-new CLE-Class range that we review separately.

Although the C-Class is an excellent car, this class has several other appealing choices. The Genesis G70 starts at about $40K, with the Lexus IS and the Audi A4 not far above. The Acura TLX begins at around $42K, the Alfa Romeo Giulia at $43K, and the BMW 3 Series at $44.5K.

Before buying a new C-Class luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are almost up there with the TLX and IS and definitely stronger than the A4 and 3 Series.

The most affordable C-Class, the C 300, enjoys 255 horsepower from its turbocharged engine and can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in a fraction over five seconds. That’s pleasantly brisk. And it’s probably not coincidental that the C 300 has precisely the same power as the equally brisk BMW 330i. Stable at speed, comfortable over cobblestones, with compact dimensions that make the C-Class easy to drive around the city, this luxury sedan handles all situations with quiet competence. The only thing we weren’t so enamored with was the soft feel of the brake pedal, although the car still came to an effective halt all the same. This gripe does not apply to the 402-horsepower AMG C 43, which we’ve also driven and adored. If we had the budget, this would be our choice — energetic and engaging without overdoing it. It can hit 60 mph in a fleeting 4.6 seconds. And if that’s still too sluggish, perhaps the new-for-2024 AMG C 63 S E Performance will do the trick at a pyrotechnic 3.3 seconds. Although it’s a plug-in hybrid, this is no Toyota Prius Prime. Electrical energy is paired with gasoline gusto to produce a mighty 671 horsepower. It makes the BMW M3 and Audi RS 5 look meek by comparison with their 400-and-something horsepower.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Fuel Economy

The rear-drive C 300 achieves 30 mpg in a combination of city and highway driving. With all-wheel drive, it returns 27 mpg combined. To compare, the BMW 330i manages 29 mpg combined, or 27 mpg combined, when all-wheel drive is in the picture. The AMG C 43 is rated at 22 mpg combined.

We’ve found the C-Class to be comfortable in both rows. The front has a pleasant cocooning effect, while the rear is spacious enough for a compact luxury sedan. Within the constraints of size and price, the C-Class has a history of providing some traits that are part of the glorious S-Class experience, including a wide choice of interior color schemes. This approach continues with the current generation, sporting a generously sized 11.9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver information display. Even the air vents and speaker grilles wouldn’t look out of place in the bigger Benz. Every C-Class also gains a fingerprint reader, enabling easy selection of each user’s specific profile.

Just a couple of little not-so-complimentary observations. The pursuit of cutting down on controls means operating some functions with tiny touchpads on the steering wheel. They’re a bit fiddly, and applying the right amount of pressure involves a learning curve. Some of the more out-of-the-way places have a few cheaper plastics. A cargo space of 12.6 cubic feet is not as commodious as the 17 cubic feet in the BMW 3 Series. But it’s no worse than the rest of the class.

Just as the interior of the C-Class evokes the plushness of the large S-Class flagship sedan, the exterior design also does it best to remind everyone of its premium credentials with sleek lines, LED lighting, and that famed 3-pointed star in the center of the grille. With a nod to its more youthful audience, though, the C-Class also offers more than just the typical grays and blacks we see everywhere, like a metallic blue and a deep red.

11.9-inch touchscreen
This tablet-like display conveys various types of information like navigation, cabin temperature, and phone functions — all in crisp detail. It controls an excellent infotainment system that comes with wireless charging and wireless phone integration as standard.

All-wheel drive
Great to have in tricky conditions, as well as helping to get the power down in the dry, all-wheel drive, is one of the most popular options among C-Class buyers.

Burmester audio
Coming in at the midlevel Exclusive trim, this is yet another of the great pleasures to be had when driving a Mercedes-Benz and among the best car surround-sound systems we’ve heard.

Driver Assistance package
To be honest, we’d prefer this optional bundle to be among the standard equipment. But we definitely recommend spending the extra $1,700 or so to gain features like adaptive cruise control, Active Blind Spot Assist, and evasive steering assistance.

Augmented video
Sometimes, navigation instructions aren’t always as clear as we would like when there’s only a split-second in which to make a move. This optional feature superimposes arrows on the screen (or head-up display) to make life easier. It looks cool, too.

AMG C 63 S E Performance model
Just on the combustion side, Mercedes-Benz coaxes 469 horsepower from a 2.0-liter engine — which must make it eligible for something in the Guinness Book of World Records. This model also benefits from technology developed through the company’s trophy-laden involvement in Formula 1 racing, such as an electric turbocharger that doesn’t even know the meaning of turbo lag.

The C 300 employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, making 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s enhanced by a mild-hybrid system that helps the engine achieve its maximum output quickly and efficiently while also making the fuel-saving stop/restart function nice and smooth. A 9-speed automatic transmission sends that power to either the rear wheels in standard form or the optional 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The handcrafted engine in the Mercedes-AMG C 43 is also a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit, which has been boosted to an impressive 402 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Once again, a 9-speed automatic transmission is used (tuned by AMG), and all-wheel drive is standard. New for 2024, the AMG C 63 S E Performance takes that engine and amps it up to 469 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque. Not content with such an achievement, Mercedes-Benz throws in an electric motor for a colossal total of 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque. In a compact sedan, remember. Once again, an AMG-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive system complete the picture.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty from Mercedes-Benz is for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This also applies to the powertrains and is typical coverage among European luxury automakers.

Safety Ratings

This new generation of C-Class has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), its highest accolade. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic brake drying.