Mercedes calls this a cab backward design, meaning the windshield and passenger compartment have been shifted further back than in previous models. NJ Allegedly Hunting Facebook For Illegal Diesels, Honda SUV Wrecks McLaren 570s on Woodward Ave, Ford Will Reveal Next-Gen Mustang in September, Vettel to Retire From F1 at End of 2022 Season, The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Makes Over 400 HP, 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL: No More Mr. Nice Benz, 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS Is Impressive, Intimidating, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. My favorite design elements are the new squircle air vents, which have a really nice tactile feel. Harmon said he uses the system almost daily during his commute, and that optimal conditions are below 40 mph on a well-marked highway; congestion shouldnt be an issue whatsoever. It takes all but five minutes behind the wheel of the all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC to confirm my suspicions Mercedes-Benz is currently engineering the world's finest passenger vehicles. The engine is complemented by "EQ Boost" Mercedes' mild-hybrid technology that uses an integrated starter-generator to provide an additional 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft off torque for brief bursts (e.g., accelerating off the line or passing). 
Also included in this package is a Head-Up-Display (HUD), which projects detailed navigation instructions into the drivers line of sight on the windshield. The C300 4MATIC is a sporty sedan, not a sport sedan (a title I reserve for vehicles with more power and aggressive suspension tuning). And while it's remained the aesthete's choice in the subsequent years, newer competitors offer better overall packages. In terms of the latest design: The front end is very familiar when seen next to the E-Class or CLS. Overall, it was certainly nowhere near anything that the Stuttgart brand produces with an AMG badge affixed to its trunk lid, but credit where credits due, the baby S flexes some capability in the corners. This torquey aluminum powerplant produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, identical to its 2.0-liter Bavarian rival, the B48, which lives in the 2022 BMW 230i Coupe. Like the front-grille that features neat Mercedes emblem accents, thats shaped to be a tad wider at the bottom, and accompanying sharp LED headlights. This 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a well-rounded sports sedan with an attractive exterior design. The seats are quite comfortable to plop down into, and overall visibility is among the best I've ever reviewed. Mercedes has gone the Tesla Yoke way and turned volume control into a non-haptic area on the steering wheel: you must slide your thumb back and forth to increase or decrease volume. The technology options Mercedes has assembled are quite likely the most impressive part of the new generation C-Class, though you will certainly be paying a premium for those features. Solid stability and confidence in all scenarios make for great additions in this class, and to return such fuel economy numbers to boot is a very nice added bonus. During my drive, the 3,957-pound 4MATIC model indicated an average of 35.4 MPG during the highway portion of the testing, beating its EPA estimates. My hands lightly on the wheel and feet hovering over the brake, I let the car do its thing. The turbocharged four-cylinder puts out 255-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque at peak. Combined with refined, luxury-worthy sound-insulation and optional acoustic glass ($150), the C 300 makes for a great place to sit through some lengthy podcasts while cruising down the road. There are four touchpads on the steering wheel, a touchpad for all the controls below the infotainment system, a touchpad for both seat memory and heating/cooling, and even a touchpad for the sunroof. I like my seating position more upright than most, so I brought the seat back a little more forward, but otherwise the fit was great. Compared to the outgoing C-Class the new model has a 1-inch longer wheelbase and is 2.5 inches longer overall. Then the car gave me an alert since Id been driving for a while: I should consider an alertness break. I can see the L2 semi-autonomous being a very attractive feature for those saddled with slow commutes. We may earn money from the links on this page. Still, I'm bestowing it on an automaker that is credited with developing the first automobile (the 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen) and acknowledged for bringing advanced safety features such as airbags (SRS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) to the masses. There are plenty of cool turbo noises at low speeds, but otherwise the C300's engine sounds a little noisy and rough like most other 2.0Ts on the market. You might not have realized Mercedes has a new C-Class. My favorite new input was automatically configuring an almost-perfect seating position for my height. It has an excellent ride quality for everyday driving, and does a great job ironing out rougher road-surfaces. Of course, that's a strong validation. You may opt-out by. It was a revolutionary idea in the Eighties and today, it's what sets the C-Class apart from its competitors. Trust came quickly, and I was able to focus on other non-driving distractions. Simply put, the Augmented Video For Navigation felt clunky and unnecessary when presented with an HUD in my direct line of sight. Diving into tight corners, the brakes shone as a confidence-builder. The front seats are plenty supportive and comfortable, though I wish they offered a massage function. With a hand rested on the bottom of the wheel, not manipulating the input, the DISTRONIC and lane-keeping systems did a truly impressive job driving the car under 40 mph. The 2022 C300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 like the outgoing model, but it's a totally new engine. 
The rear seats are also roomier than before. On the road, the new C-Class sedan drives beautifully significantly exceeding the dynamics expected from this class of vehicle. However, the devil is in the details, and upon closer inspection, you really start to notice the improvements. The drive back from our overnight stay in Kingston, NY gave us our most aspirational view at how a C-Class will be used as transport back to a city after your country getaway. Thats not ideal, and its not the type of power curve to hide its curb-weight well, either, meaning it feels faster than it actually is. My testers 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission banged off shifts quite smoothly and effortlessly. Some of this is a problem of Mercedes' own making the company sells too many different models though it's equally a reflection on our current reality. The biggest changes are the wider grille and horizontal taillights, and creases and prominent surfacing elements have been kept to a minimum. In "Sport" the steering is a bit too artificially heavy which is true of virtually every car that has adjustable-weight steering though there's an "Individual" mode that can be configured to pair light steering with sharper engine/transmission response. While the driver has the best seat in the house and the most accessible access to the technology, passengers will find the C300 an equally enjoyable and comfortable ride. His personal ride is a 2011 BMW 128i, and when he's not writing, he's trying to figure out how to drive faster on track. This packages Burmester 3D Sound System absolutely excelled and provided excellent sound clarity. The C300 offers great handling, comfort, and fuel economy. It worked best in low-mid rpms, where you can ride the torque wave between the EV fill and the turbo-boost happy place. The added 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque from the EV boost were most apparent when getting into the throttle at low rpm; that was especially appreciated since this is the first C-Class to feature a four-cylinder as its sole engine offering. The rear end gets a bit more of that S-Class stuff in the form of two-piece LED taillights. The 2022 C-Class' chassis is not just better than the outgoing car's, it's a cut above pretty much every competitor in terms of ride quality. I swiped it until it stated six-foot-three-inches, and the seat reclined and changed position accordingly. Those in the back seat will find room to sit behind six-footers without feeling cramped, although nobody wants to be the fifth passenger as the center cushion isn't molded for comfort. The 3,957-pound C300 4Matic will jump to 60 mph in 6.0-seconds. There are four standard driving modes (ECO, Comfort, Sport, and Individual), but opt for the AMG Line package, and a fifth mode (Sport+) is added to the menu. All the climate controls are at the bottom of the screen, and while getting rid of physical controls and putting functions on the screen is cost-cutting masquerading as being tech-forward, they work well. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. As a result, the chassis stood out as a comfortable cruiser in the best Mercedes tradition but could handle the backroad dance with equal ease. This is just one of many upsides to the W206 that make it a great commuter and road trip rig. The fancy features don't stop there. There's not a ton of detailed feel, but the weighting is very precise, especially as you wind back to center, and the rack is very accurate. Fully loaded my test car is $62,070, which is a whole lot of scratch for a compact luxury sedan. The motor now has a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and puts out 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, an improvement of 22 lb-ft. The range-topping Pinnacle trim begins at just under $48,000. It's been offered with six-cylinder cars from Mercedes for a few years now, and here, it works just as brilliantly. None of this is necessarily surprising. The interior is an evolution of what's come before, and a reflection of Mercedes today. 2022Recurrent Ventures. For those in the know, this follows a proud, long-lasting history. This all makes highway driving a very stress-free experience as well. One transmission is offered at launch, the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. It felt very flexible and balanced, easily handling whatever the road threw at it. It offers major value, and it's good enough to make the larger E-Class feel a bit irrelevant. The cabin is quiet (unless the available Burmester surround-sound audio system is rocking), and the MBUX system includes a hands-free artificial intelligence voice control system (commanded with a simple "Hey Mercedes") that permits many operations from any seat. Certain trims like this car's metal weave replace the center console's standard piano black finish with a matching panel, which is a lot more interesting. The cabin of the new C-Class is stunning it could easily be mistaken for that of an S-Class. Follow this author to improve your content experience. 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with EQ Boost, Mercedes-Benz equips the C300 with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder combustion engine rated at 255 horsepower. Mercedes' augmented-reality navigation is available, but while a head-up display is also optional, the C-Class sadly does without the huge AR HUD offered in the S-Class. The trickle-down effect is one of the best parts of the automotive industry. Thats OK, as I have to keep reminding myself that this isnt an AMG-engineered car. You get used to them, but all feel cheap and are just more finicky than individual buttons. As expected, the various settings alter the engine responsiveness, steering effort, throttle sensitivity, and transmission shift speed. The chassis is vaultlike, and the tires effortlessly roll over bumps and imperfections in the road surface. The all-new 2022 C-Class sedan, completely redesigned this year, has just emerged as the new compact luxury sedan benchmark. For the vast majority of consumers after a solid array of technology and luxury for the 2022 C300s sub-$60,000 price range, its plenty. Road & Track participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This 48-volt system, which consists of an integrated starter-generator mounted at the back of the engine, does away with belt-driven accessories and can actually provide an additional 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque to help mitigate turbo lag. Shifts are quick and smooth, and for once it's nice to drive a car that doesn't have the popular ZF 8-Speed, if for no other reason than it saves me having to come up with yet another synonym for "ubiquitous." This electrical system can provide a power boost for a short period during full-throttle acceleration, but also helps during normal driving to improve gas mileage. The EPA has finalized fuel efficiency figures for the Mercedes-Benz C300 Sedan (25 city / 35 hwy / 29 combined) and the C 300 4MATIC Sedan (23 city / 33 hwy / 27 combined). Some of the C-Class' lower panels are covered in cheaper plastics than before, like the bottom of the door cards and the base of the center console, but I don't mind -- those are parts that are frequently getting scratched and dirty anyway. Now there's a totally new C-Class yet again, and it's even more worthy of the baby S-Class descriptor. Later on, I asked Mercedes-Benz Product Manager Paul Harmon when and how to take full advantage of the L2 driver-assistance features. 
Sadly, the C300 isn't available in the US with its new rear-axle-steering system that can turn the back wheels up to 2.5 degrees, but that'll be standard on the AMG C43, which should be an absolute hoot with 402 hp. It was only a few moments before I had to give a steering input after entering a construction zone with shifting lanes, bad road markings and heavy congestionprobably not the ideal first test. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been around since 1993, or in layman terms, forever. 
Steering the car in Comfort mode, on the highway, the effort was light in that familiar Mercedes way. The chassis felt attentive and confident through flowing mountain-top roads. Then, to bathe in luxury a bit further, I turned on the massage option. Cresting a hill and seeing a valley of vineyards and little squiggles of road snaking off into the distance, I clicked over to Sport+ mode and swapped to manual shiftingbut found the transmission worked best left to its own devices in automatic mode. During some traffic-choked commuting hell, I wanted to try out the latest Mercedes DISTRONIC system, also known as adaptive-cruise, with new-for-the-C-Class additional lane-keeping technology. RELATED: Which Is Best? Open the doors and you're yet again met with the best interior in the segment, one that punches above its class. It might not please Mercedes traditionalists, but if you think the BMW 3 Series has gone soft, you'll like what you find. My test car has the optional $2,000 all-wheel-drive system and there's virtually no understeer even when I push the C300 hard. Then, after adding in the Power Red/Black Leather interior ($1,620), 19-inch AMG Multi spoke wheels ($600), the AMG Line with Night Package ($3,050) and a host of other driver assistance, safety, and multimedia packages; it comes to a total of $58,470 after a $1,050 Destination and Delivery fee. With such a good platform and baseline, however, this drive has only further wet my whistle for the forthcoming C63 AMG, rumored to pair a tuned-up four-cylinder engine with a more powerful EV motor. It also replaces the engines accessory belts and allows for a complete gasoline engine shut-off during coasting. Throttle response is quick off the line (the 0-60 mph sprint should take about 6.0 seconds), and the transmission downshifts willingly for passing. One quick initial jab at the brake pedal reveals that this thing isnt engineered for lateral and longitudinal G-force enthusiasm. The system makes subtle adjustments to the occupant's seat as if the person is readjusting their position and it's surprisingly effective. At idle, it can occasionally be quite rough, revs dropping and sending a vibration through the cabin. The biggest issue with how the old C-Class drove was the ride quality and the new car fixes that. The engine fires up instantly, and when you put the car in Eco mode, it can actually shut down entirely when the driver is off throttle. Equipped here with the AMG Line package which brings a number of visual tweaks in addition to a 15mm drop in ride height, upgraded brakes, and retuned steering and gorgeous 19-inch multispoke wheels, this C300 is a very handsome car. Mercedes-Benz has proven that slow and steady progression, as well as letting high-end luxury and tech appointments trickle down to entry-level models, is a solid recipe for success, and even when specd to nearly $60,000, is a great way to have a comfortable all-rounder. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a premium compact luxury sedan targeting a young and affluent audience seeking a stylish, innovative, safe, and technically advanced sedan. 
While the front seats don't offer active massaging (like the flagship S-Class), my test vehicle had Seat Kinetics. Is It Better To Lease Or Buy A Car In Summer 2022? Driving this car was a pleasant experience, like going to brunch is a pleasant experience. The ride is pleasingly firm, not harsh, and there's a sophistication to the way the C300 goes down the road. He encouraged me to give it another go on my drive home the next morning. Sadly, the brand killed the A-Class for the US market, including the riotous Mercedes AMG A35. It's not hard to find other cheap interior materials, if you go poking around, not that this impacts the functionality of the C-Class. The grille and headlights, as well as the overall shape, are pretty similar. Optional goodies include a panoramic sunroof, a surround-view camera system, active park assist, a wireless charger, additional USB-C ports, an integrated dashcam, a wireless phone charger, NFC device pairing and a built-in toll reader. RELATED: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic Review: Luxury At Its Finest. The 2022 C300 4MATIC follows the thread, with an extra helping of S-Class sauce to spruce it up. Unfortunately, adaptive dampers will only be available on the AMG C43. Ultimate performance is not a primary objective, yet driving dynamics must be world-class and uncompromised. 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sedan Review: Superior Entry-Level Tech And Luxury, Which Is Best? Peter Nelson is a freelance automotive journalist based in Southern California. At some point during every review of a German car, we must complain about a la carte option pricing. However, for 2022, the Stuttgart brand recently unveiled its brand-new C-Class, signifying a changing of the arms with a new generation code known as W206. It even does well when the road gets twisty. But buyers who are familiar with the way Mercedes prides itself in bringing new technology to vehicles will fawn over all of the additional baubles. On some nice roads, I found myself using the wheel-mounted paddle shifters to keep the engine in its ideal range, though the gearbox does a fine job left to its own devices. No need to turn in twice after misjudging things. It's definitely smoother in operation than the old motor, especially in terms of the start/stop system, and the new engine has better midrange response. Every C-Class comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fingerprint sensor for controlling driver profiles and the "Hey, Mercedes" voice assistant. The first word that comes to mind regarding how the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 rolls down the road is confidence. However, where the Bavarian option falls short is in the added electric power. The new C-Class should not be overlooked. My C300 4Matic tester had a Sport+ mode that added a decibel or two more to the exhaust system and livened up throttle response. Every new C-Class has a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen, the latter of which is nicely angled toward the driver. I prefer a knob, but Ive always been a bit of a Luddite. Mercedes-Benz fits the C300 with Dynamic Select to allow the driver to configure the vehicle to the driving environment. You know we live in a strange world when Mercedes releases a new C-Class and it barely makes a blip. But Mercedes-Benz is usually a step ahead in tech and safety features, and this new C-Class is no exception. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Less successful is the C-Class' many touchpad controls. This discerning buyer is likely new to the brand, and the C-Class will be the first of their many Mercedes-Benz products down the road. 2023 BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes Benz C-Class, These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2007 Mercedes C63 AMG, 2022 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic Review: Luxury At Its Finest, The 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL600 Is One Of The Cheapest V12's You Can Buy Today, The Estrema Fulminea Electric Hypercar Looks To Be The Next Pagani, Here's Why We Can't Wait For The Noble M500, Watch This Toyota Hilux-Based AT44 6x6 Conquer The Arctic With Ease, This Ford GT 500 Is A Supercar Concept We'd Love To Have Made, Here's What Makes The Lamborghini Urus The Perfect SUV, 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review: An Unparalleled Electric Car Bargain, Looking Back At The Ferrari F40 And What Made It So Special, The Unbelievable 5000+ Hp Alieno Unum Wants To Shame Every Hypercar In The World, Check Out The Exotic New 2022 MV Agusta Reparto Corse Line-Up, James Bond Fan And Tik-Tok Star Andrew Tate Has A Lavish Collection Of Fast Luxury Machines, Check Out The New Nissan Z As A Classic 240Z Throwback, Heres What We Just Learned About The Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept, This Is The True Meaning Behind The Aston Martin Logo, Here's Why Aston Martin Is An Unkillable Brand, Dom's Dodge Charger From Fast & Furious Is Here To Protect The LEGO Family, Everything We Know About The Viritech Apricale, A Hydrogen-Powered Hypercar, The Mini Concept Aceman EV Is A Sign Of Good Things To Come, Here's What Happens When A Ford Mustang Takes On A Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Some Consumers Might Want More Drastic Styling Changes. Wind it out and the power plateaued toward the top of the rev band, with not much to say in terms of engine sound. Trying out as many features as I could while we dawdled along some slow roads, I found almost everything ergonomic and easy to use. 2023 BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes Benz C-Class. What is surprising is the way that the C300 drives. While it projects a luxurious overall theme, Mercedes has done an excellent job ensuring that the passenger compartment retains a slightly more youthful and sportier aura. Start your free trial today. There's not much to say about the C-Class' MBUX operating system that hasn't already been covered. Well-engineered, beautifully crafted, and a joy to drive, the standard C300 is just the first of a range of new C-Class models that will hit the market over the next several years. The 2022 C-Class is already reaching dealer lots and its starting price of $44,600 includes features like keyless entry, push-button start, a single-pane sunroof, heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, a power trunklid, LED lights and some of the aforementioned safety systems. Some buyers won't like that the ride isn't totally plush across broken surfaces, and around 25-35 mph, there are plenty of bad roads that just feel unpleasant here. Instead, it made a host of mild revisions throughout, from what propels it down the road to how it looks, that ensure its relevance and position as a solid entry-level modern luxury offering. But major changes aren't really Mercedes game. Thanks in part to hybrid assistance, the heavy sedan returns as high as 23 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. This is something of a driver's car. The driver faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel directly behind the three-spoke steering wheel. Coming in a close second are the driver assistance options, costing $2,900 for a full suite of intelligent driving aids that can amount to L2 semi-autonomous in specific situations. There's a lot more visual drama than the old C-Class, and the steeply angled sharknose front is especially striking. In person, it's a different story. A gorgeous interior with an 11.9-inch infotainment screen. The new Mercedes C-Class looks evolutionary, but it's a major improvement. Clocking in at a base price of $44,600, the all-wheel-drive test car was fitted with an additional $16,520 in optional equipment for a total of $62,070. Our tester came equipped with virtually everything, including $2590 worth of Napa leather, and stickered for $63,440. On the inside, its a very comfortable and welcoming environment. Based on a rear-wheel-drive platform, the new C boasts a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that helps improve gas mileage, along with providing an extra 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque at lower rpm for a short period. An air suspension is no longer an option and adaptive dampers aren't on the menu either, but I don't find myself missing these features. Still, the car feels solid, and even the worst bumps don't send a judder through the structure. Plus, I don't need to remind you that sedans are out of fashion. When it comes to tech-friendliness, Mercedes-Benz is still on top with their latest iteration of their venerable MBUX system. There are some super cool details like the repeating star pattern in the grille and the LED taillights' graphics. But with the new C300, Mercedes is taking a different tactic, offering three different basic trim levels, and relatively few individual options. Starting with the C-Class predecessor 190E, the idea behind this car has been, essentially, S-Class luxury in a compact package, executed to varying degrees of success. It is downright gorgeous in design, execution, materials, and fit and finish. Combined with the C-Class excellent ride and highway manners, its a brilliant cruiser in excess of 70 mph with plenty of passing power, making it an awesome road trip machine. The C300 feels solid and well-damped, and it never exhibits any noticeable jostling over highway expansion joints, bumpy on- and off- ramps, and temporary laid-down construction zone tarmac. It was alarming, but I place the blame on myself. Especially from a rear-quarter angle, it really does look like a smaller S-Class. Mercedes-Benz has also fitted the C-Class with the latest safety tools. Then, having the C300s 12.3-inch instrument cluster straight in front was also quite welcoming and easy to configure, and you can navigate it through the steering wheel controls.
Also included in this package is a Head-Up-Display (HUD), which projects detailed navigation instructions into the drivers line of sight on the windshield. The C300 4MATIC is a sporty sedan, not a sport sedan (a title I reserve for vehicles with more power and aggressive suspension tuning). And while it's remained the aesthete's choice in the subsequent years, newer competitors offer better overall packages. In terms of the latest design: The front end is very familiar when seen next to the E-Class or CLS. Overall, it was certainly nowhere near anything that the Stuttgart brand produces with an AMG badge affixed to its trunk lid, but credit where credits due, the baby S flexes some capability in the corners. This torquey aluminum powerplant produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, identical to its 2.0-liter Bavarian rival, the B48, which lives in the 2022 BMW 230i Coupe. Like the front-grille that features neat Mercedes emblem accents, thats shaped to be a tad wider at the bottom, and accompanying sharp LED headlights. This 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a well-rounded sports sedan with an attractive exterior design. The seats are quite comfortable to plop down into, and overall visibility is among the best I've ever reviewed. Mercedes has gone the Tesla Yoke way and turned volume control into a non-haptic area on the steering wheel: you must slide your thumb back and forth to increase or decrease volume. The technology options Mercedes has assembled are quite likely the most impressive part of the new generation C-Class, though you will certainly be paying a premium for those features. Solid stability and confidence in all scenarios make for great additions in this class, and to return such fuel economy numbers to boot is a very nice added bonus. During my drive, the 3,957-pound 4MATIC model indicated an average of 35.4 MPG during the highway portion of the testing, beating its EPA estimates. My hands lightly on the wheel and feet hovering over the brake, I let the car do its thing. The turbocharged four-cylinder puts out 255-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque at peak. Combined with refined, luxury-worthy sound-insulation and optional acoustic glass ($150), the C 300 makes for a great place to sit through some lengthy podcasts while cruising down the road. There are four touchpads on the steering wheel, a touchpad for all the controls below the infotainment system, a touchpad for both seat memory and heating/cooling, and even a touchpad for the sunroof. I like my seating position more upright than most, so I brought the seat back a little more forward, but otherwise the fit was great. Compared to the outgoing C-Class the new model has a 1-inch longer wheelbase and is 2.5 inches longer overall. Then the car gave me an alert since Id been driving for a while: I should consider an alertness break. I can see the L2 semi-autonomous being a very attractive feature for those saddled with slow commutes. We may earn money from the links on this page. Still, I'm bestowing it on an automaker that is credited with developing the first automobile (the 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen) and acknowledged for bringing advanced safety features such as airbags (SRS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) to the masses. There are plenty of cool turbo noises at low speeds, but otherwise the C300's engine sounds a little noisy and rough like most other 2.0Ts on the market. You might not have realized Mercedes has a new C-Class. My favorite new input was automatically configuring an almost-perfect seating position for my height. It has an excellent ride quality for everyday driving, and does a great job ironing out rougher road-surfaces. Of course, that's a strong validation. You may opt-out by. It was a revolutionary idea in the Eighties and today, it's what sets the C-Class apart from its competitors. Trust came quickly, and I was able to focus on other non-driving distractions. Simply put, the Augmented Video For Navigation felt clunky and unnecessary when presented with an HUD in my direct line of sight. Diving into tight corners, the brakes shone as a confidence-builder. The front seats are plenty supportive and comfortable, though I wish they offered a massage function. With a hand rested on the bottom of the wheel, not manipulating the input, the DISTRONIC and lane-keeping systems did a truly impressive job driving the car under 40 mph. The 2022 C300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 like the outgoing model, but it's a totally new engine. The rear seats are also roomier than before. On the road, the new C-Class sedan drives beautifully significantly exceeding the dynamics expected from this class of vehicle. However, the devil is in the details, and upon closer inspection, you really start to notice the improvements. The drive back from our overnight stay in Kingston, NY gave us our most aspirational view at how a C-Class will be used as transport back to a city after your country getaway. Thats not ideal, and its not the type of power curve to hide its curb-weight well, either, meaning it feels faster than it actually is. My testers 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission banged off shifts quite smoothly and effortlessly. Some of this is a problem of Mercedes' own making the company sells too many different models though it's equally a reflection on our current reality. The biggest changes are the wider grille and horizontal taillights, and creases and prominent surfacing elements have been kept to a minimum. In "Sport" the steering is a bit too artificially heavy which is true of virtually every car that has adjustable-weight steering though there's an "Individual" mode that can be configured to pair light steering with sharper engine/transmission response. While the driver has the best seat in the house and the most accessible access to the technology, passengers will find the C300 an equally enjoyable and comfortable ride. His personal ride is a 2011 BMW 128i, and when he's not writing, he's trying to figure out how to drive faster on track. This packages Burmester 3D Sound System absolutely excelled and provided excellent sound clarity. The C300 offers great handling, comfort, and fuel economy. It worked best in low-mid rpms, where you can ride the torque wave between the EV fill and the turbo-boost happy place. The added 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque from the EV boost were most apparent when getting into the throttle at low rpm; that was especially appreciated since this is the first C-Class to feature a four-cylinder as its sole engine offering. The rear end gets a bit more of that S-Class stuff in the form of two-piece LED taillights. The 2022 C-Class' chassis is not just better than the outgoing car's, it's a cut above pretty much every competitor in terms of ride quality. I swiped it until it stated six-foot-three-inches, and the seat reclined and changed position accordingly. Those in the back seat will find room to sit behind six-footers without feeling cramped, although nobody wants to be the fifth passenger as the center cushion isn't molded for comfort. The 3,957-pound C300 4Matic will jump to 60 mph in 6.0-seconds. There are four standard driving modes (ECO, Comfort, Sport, and Individual), but opt for the AMG Line package, and a fifth mode (Sport+) is added to the menu. All the climate controls are at the bottom of the screen, and while getting rid of physical controls and putting functions on the screen is cost-cutting masquerading as being tech-forward, they work well. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. As a result, the chassis stood out as a comfortable cruiser in the best Mercedes tradition but could handle the backroad dance with equal ease. This is just one of many upsides to the W206 that make it a great commuter and road trip rig. The fancy features don't stop there. There's not a ton of detailed feel, but the weighting is very precise, especially as you wind back to center, and the rack is very accurate. Fully loaded my test car is $62,070, which is a whole lot of scratch for a compact luxury sedan. The motor now has a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and puts out 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, an improvement of 22 lb-ft. The range-topping Pinnacle trim begins at just under $48,000. It's been offered with six-cylinder cars from Mercedes for a few years now, and here, it works just as brilliantly. None of this is necessarily surprising. The interior is an evolution of what's come before, and a reflection of Mercedes today. 2022Recurrent Ventures. For those in the know, this follows a proud, long-lasting history. This all makes highway driving a very stress-free experience as well. One transmission is offered at launch, the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. It felt very flexible and balanced, easily handling whatever the road threw at it. It offers major value, and it's good enough to make the larger E-Class feel a bit irrelevant. The cabin is quiet (unless the available Burmester surround-sound audio system is rocking), and the MBUX system includes a hands-free artificial intelligence voice control system (commanded with a simple "Hey Mercedes") that permits many operations from any seat. Certain trims like this car's metal weave replace the center console's standard piano black finish with a matching panel, which is a lot more interesting. The cabin of the new C-Class is stunning it could easily be mistaken for that of an S-Class. Follow this author to improve your content experience. 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with EQ Boost, Mercedes-Benz equips the C300 with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder combustion engine rated at 255 horsepower. Mercedes' augmented-reality navigation is available, but while a head-up display is also optional, the C-Class sadly does without the huge AR HUD offered in the S-Class. The trickle-down effect is one of the best parts of the automotive industry. Thats OK, as I have to keep reminding myself that this isnt an AMG-engineered car. You get used to them, but all feel cheap and are just more finicky than individual buttons. As expected, the various settings alter the engine responsiveness, steering effort, throttle sensitivity, and transmission shift speed. The chassis is vaultlike, and the tires effortlessly roll over bumps and imperfections in the road surface. The all-new 2022 C-Class sedan, completely redesigned this year, has just emerged as the new compact luxury sedan benchmark. For the vast majority of consumers after a solid array of technology and luxury for the 2022 C300s sub-$60,000 price range, its plenty. Road & Track participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This 48-volt system, which consists of an integrated starter-generator mounted at the back of the engine, does away with belt-driven accessories and can actually provide an additional 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque to help mitigate turbo lag. Shifts are quick and smooth, and for once it's nice to drive a car that doesn't have the popular ZF 8-Speed, if for no other reason than it saves me having to come up with yet another synonym for "ubiquitous." This electrical system can provide a power boost for a short period during full-throttle acceleration, but also helps during normal driving to improve gas mileage. The EPA has finalized fuel efficiency figures for the Mercedes-Benz C300 Sedan (25 city / 35 hwy / 29 combined) and the C 300 4MATIC Sedan (23 city / 33 hwy / 27 combined). Some of the C-Class' lower panels are covered in cheaper plastics than before, like the bottom of the door cards and the base of the center console, but I don't mind -- those are parts that are frequently getting scratched and dirty anyway. Now there's a totally new C-Class yet again, and it's even more worthy of the baby S-Class descriptor. Later on, I asked Mercedes-Benz Product Manager Paul Harmon when and how to take full advantage of the L2 driver-assistance features. Sadly, the C300 isn't available in the US with its new rear-axle-steering system that can turn the back wheels up to 2.5 degrees, but that'll be standard on the AMG C43, which should be an absolute hoot with 402 hp. It was only a few moments before I had to give a steering input after entering a construction zone with shifting lanes, bad road markings and heavy congestionprobably not the ideal first test. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been around since 1993, or in layman terms, forever. Steering the car in Comfort mode, on the highway, the effort was light in that familiar Mercedes way. The chassis felt attentive and confident through flowing mountain-top roads. Then, to bathe in luxury a bit further, I turned on the massage option. Cresting a hill and seeing a valley of vineyards and little squiggles of road snaking off into the distance, I clicked over to Sport+ mode and swapped to manual shiftingbut found the transmission worked best left to its own devices in automatic mode. During some traffic-choked commuting hell, I wanted to try out the latest Mercedes DISTRONIC system, also known as adaptive-cruise, with new-for-the-C-Class additional lane-keeping technology. RELATED: Which Is Best? Open the doors and you're yet again met with the best interior in the segment, one that punches above its class. It might not please Mercedes traditionalists, but if you think the BMW 3 Series has gone soft, you'll like what you find. My test car has the optional $2,000 all-wheel-drive system and there's virtually no understeer even when I push the C300 hard. Then, after adding in the Power Red/Black Leather interior ($1,620), 19-inch AMG Multi spoke wheels ($600), the AMG Line with Night Package ($3,050) and a host of other driver assistance, safety, and multimedia packages; it comes to a total of $58,470 after a $1,050 Destination and Delivery fee. With such a good platform and baseline, however, this drive has only further wet my whistle for the forthcoming C63 AMG, rumored to pair a tuned-up four-cylinder engine with a more powerful EV motor. It also replaces the engines accessory belts and allows for a complete gasoline engine shut-off during coasting. Throttle response is quick off the line (the 0-60 mph sprint should take about 6.0 seconds), and the transmission downshifts willingly for passing. One quick initial jab at the brake pedal reveals that this thing isnt engineered for lateral and longitudinal G-force enthusiasm. The system makes subtle adjustments to the occupant's seat as if the person is readjusting their position and it's surprisingly effective. At idle, it can occasionally be quite rough, revs dropping and sending a vibration through the cabin. The biggest issue with how the old C-Class drove was the ride quality and the new car fixes that. The engine fires up instantly, and when you put the car in Eco mode, it can actually shut down entirely when the driver is off throttle. Equipped here with the AMG Line package which brings a number of visual tweaks in addition to a 15mm drop in ride height, upgraded brakes, and retuned steering and gorgeous 19-inch multispoke wheels, this C300 is a very handsome car. Mercedes-Benz has proven that slow and steady progression, as well as letting high-end luxury and tech appointments trickle down to entry-level models, is a solid recipe for success, and even when specd to nearly $60,000, is a great way to have a comfortable all-rounder. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a premium compact luxury sedan targeting a young and affluent audience seeking a stylish, innovative, safe, and technically advanced sedan. While the front seats don't offer active massaging (like the flagship S-Class), my test vehicle had Seat Kinetics. Is It Better To Lease Or Buy A Car In Summer 2022? Driving this car was a pleasant experience, like going to brunch is a pleasant experience. The ride is pleasingly firm, not harsh, and there's a sophistication to the way the C300 goes down the road. He encouraged me to give it another go on my drive home the next morning. Sadly, the brand killed the A-Class for the US market, including the riotous Mercedes AMG A35. It's not hard to find other cheap interior materials, if you go poking around, not that this impacts the functionality of the C-Class. The grille and headlights, as well as the overall shape, are pretty similar. Optional goodies include a panoramic sunroof, a surround-view camera system, active park assist, a wireless charger, additional USB-C ports, an integrated dashcam, a wireless phone charger, NFC device pairing and a built-in toll reader. RELATED: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic Review: Luxury At Its Finest. The 2022 C300 4MATIC follows the thread, with an extra helping of S-Class sauce to spruce it up. Unfortunately, adaptive dampers will only be available on the AMG C43. Ultimate performance is not a primary objective, yet driving dynamics must be world-class and uncompromised. 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sedan Review: Superior Entry-Level Tech And Luxury, Which Is Best? Peter Nelson is a freelance automotive journalist based in Southern California. At some point during every review of a German car, we must complain about a la carte option pricing. However, for 2022, the Stuttgart brand recently unveiled its brand-new C-Class, signifying a changing of the arms with a new generation code known as W206. It even does well when the road gets twisty. But buyers who are familiar with the way Mercedes prides itself in bringing new technology to vehicles will fawn over all of the additional baubles. On some nice roads, I found myself using the wheel-mounted paddle shifters to keep the engine in its ideal range, though the gearbox does a fine job left to its own devices. No need to turn in twice after misjudging things. It's definitely smoother in operation than the old motor, especially in terms of the start/stop system, and the new engine has better midrange response. Every C-Class comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fingerprint sensor for controlling driver profiles and the "Hey, Mercedes" voice assistant. The first word that comes to mind regarding how the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 rolls down the road is confidence. However, where the Bavarian option falls short is in the added electric power. The new C-Class should not be overlooked. My C300 4Matic tester had a Sport+ mode that added a decibel or two more to the exhaust system and livened up throttle response. Every new C-Class has a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen, the latter of which is nicely angled toward the driver. I prefer a knob, but Ive always been a bit of a Luddite. Mercedes-Benz fits the C300 with Dynamic Select to allow the driver to configure the vehicle to the driving environment. You know we live in a strange world when Mercedes releases a new C-Class and it barely makes a blip. But Mercedes-Benz is usually a step ahead in tech and safety features, and this new C-Class is no exception. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Less successful is the C-Class' many touchpad controls. 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Wind it out and the power plateaued toward the top of the rev band, with not much to say in terms of engine sound. Trying out as many features as I could while we dawdled along some slow roads, I found almost everything ergonomic and easy to use. 2023 BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes Benz C-Class. What is surprising is the way that the C300 drives. While it projects a luxurious overall theme, Mercedes has done an excellent job ensuring that the passenger compartment retains a slightly more youthful and sportier aura. Start your free trial today. There's not much to say about the C-Class' MBUX operating system that hasn't already been covered. Well-engineered, beautifully crafted, and a joy to drive, the standard C300 is just the first of a range of new C-Class models that will hit the market over the next several years. The 2022 C-Class is already reaching dealer lots and its starting price of $44,600 includes features like keyless entry, push-button start, a single-pane sunroof, heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, a power trunklid, LED lights and some of the aforementioned safety systems. Some buyers won't like that the ride isn't totally plush across broken surfaces, and around 25-35 mph, there are plenty of bad roads that just feel unpleasant here. Instead, it made a host of mild revisions throughout, from what propels it down the road to how it looks, that ensure its relevance and position as a solid entry-level modern luxury offering. But major changes aren't really Mercedes game. Thanks in part to hybrid assistance, the heavy sedan returns as high as 23 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. This is something of a driver's car. The driver faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel directly behind the three-spoke steering wheel. Coming in a close second are the driver assistance options, costing $2,900 for a full suite of intelligent driving aids that can amount to L2 semi-autonomous in specific situations. There's a lot more visual drama than the old C-Class, and the steeply angled sharknose front is especially striking. In person, it's a different story. A gorgeous interior with an 11.9-inch infotainment screen. The new Mercedes C-Class looks evolutionary, but it's a major improvement. Clocking in at a base price of $44,600, the all-wheel-drive test car was fitted with an additional $16,520 in optional equipment for a total of $62,070. Our tester came equipped with virtually everything, including $2590 worth of Napa leather, and stickered for $63,440. On the inside, its a very comfortable and welcoming environment. Based on a rear-wheel-drive platform, the new C boasts a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that helps improve gas mileage, along with providing an extra 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque at lower rpm for a short period. An air suspension is no longer an option and adaptive dampers aren't on the menu either, but I don't find myself missing these features. Still, the car feels solid, and even the worst bumps don't send a judder through the structure. Plus, I don't need to remind you that sedans are out of fashion. When it comes to tech-friendliness, Mercedes-Benz is still on top with their latest iteration of their venerable MBUX system. There are some super cool details like the repeating star pattern in the grille and the LED taillights' graphics. But with the new C300, Mercedes is taking a different tactic, offering three different basic trim levels, and relatively few individual options. Starting with the C-Class predecessor 190E, the idea behind this car has been, essentially, S-Class luxury in a compact package, executed to varying degrees of success. It is downright gorgeous in design, execution, materials, and fit and finish. Combined with the C-Class excellent ride and highway manners, its a brilliant cruiser in excess of 70 mph with plenty of passing power, making it an awesome road trip machine. The C300 feels solid and well-damped, and it never exhibits any noticeable jostling over highway expansion joints, bumpy on- and off- ramps, and temporary laid-down construction zone tarmac. It was alarming, but I place the blame on myself. Especially from a rear-quarter angle, it really does look like a smaller S-Class. Mercedes-Benz has also fitted the C-Class with the latest safety tools. Then, having the C300s 12.3-inch instrument cluster straight in front was also quite welcoming and easy to configure, and you can navigate it through the steering wheel controls.