The Mercedes-Benz C300 is so impressive that it scores near the top of the sports sedan segment. It has a beautiful interior and delivers a driving experience that is close to ideal when it comes to balancing performance and comfort. Simply put: The C300 delivers the driving pleasure people expect from the brand. For those new to the brand, we think you'll find the C300 comfortable, quiet, agile, and altogether well done.
The opening bid for a base, rear-wheel drive C300 starts at $40,000+. Typically equipped it becomes close to $50,000, on par with its peers. such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
Buyers signing for the base C300 get a 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The next trim, the AMG C43, bumps up to a 362-hp, 3.0-liter turbo V6. And the top-level AMG C63 comes with a fire-breathing 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that puts out between 469- and 503 hp. The C-Class is built in Alabama, alongside Mercedes' SUVs.
It may be surprising at first to hear and feel a four-cylinder humming in such a plush and expensive car, but as you begin to cover some ground, it becomes clear that the power is ample and that turbo lag is near imperceptible. We measured a respectable 26 mpg overall -- no small feat for an AWD car that catapults from rest to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.
The car has quick reflexes with very prompt steering response, making the C300 corner with enthusiasm that's usually associated with BMW. The C feels sporty to drive and yet the pliant suspension delivers a very comfortable ride, with Mercedes' typical bump-absorbing cushiness and settled body motions.
Inside, you'll find an upscale and snazzy execution, with a high-quality feel to every surface, switch, and button.
The center screen looks like it floats in the middle of the dash, but positioned at eye level. However, the menu structure for selecting, say, audio or phone functions, can be baffling at first and unfortunately, some hard buttons -- as found in other Mercedes models -- have disappeared in favor of that avant-garde appearance. Some of us found the sleek piano black touchpad got in the way of the more predictable-behaving center knob. The electronic shifter can also be fussy and unintuitive to use, and the car lacks some desired safeguards to prevent it from rolling away when parked, should the driver accidentally not select Park.
The rear seat is relatively roomy for the class but don't expect the amount of room found in a typical midsized sedan. In luxury fashion, the cabin stays commendably quiet.
Mercedes known for its cutting edge technology has a comprehensive suite of active safety and convenience features employing a battery of radar sensors and cameras. The adaptive cruise control with steering, called Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, keeps a set distance from a vehicle in front, regardless of changing speeds. It also follows the lane you're driving in automatically. The steering wheel actually moves by itself to track the lane, presaging the self-driving cars of the future -- though it does not permit operation with your hands off the wheel. These convenience features can help ease stress, but drivers must remain fully engaged with the driving process to remain safe.
Overall, the new C-Class is a very satisfying car with sophisticated ride and handling, top-drawer interior fit and finish. While neither inexpensive nor particularly user-friendly, it certainly has panache.