Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 - 2021)

What makes the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class so enticing is not its looks. Sure, the car looks a lot better than the previous generation. Fully in style with the new E and S-Class, the C-Class has a distinctive look that combines elegance with organic lines. Especially in the pearly white test car, that interplay of lines comes out beautifully!

However, it is inside where the C-Class knows how to charm like no other. Until recently, it was only the more expensive Mercedes models that embraced the occupants in a cocoon of leather, chrome and wood. Now, the C-Class too gives that same privileged feeling. This is the type of car in which many would prefer to spend as much time as possible; and that is exactly as it should be in a business car! Thanks to the increased wheelbase (+8 cm), the interior space has increased considerably; especially in the rear, the C-Class now offers the (leg) room that was lacking before.

Equipment

It does not stop at outward appearances alone. The C-Class can now be equipped with all the luxury and safety features that are also available on the larger models. The C-Class is even the first to be available with an addition to the existing push/ turn knob ("Comand controller") to control the audio, sat nav and communication system. The C-Class can also be fitted with a "touch pad", which offers handwriting recognition as an additional function. In the end, this provides no extra features, but more choice for the driver.

A high-quality audio system from "Burmester" is optionally available. This is the first time that this giant of the hi-fi world has targeted a car in this price range. Previously, an audio system from Burmester was already almost more expensive than an entire C-Class. The difference in sound quality is therefore immediately obvious: the extreme clarity and almost uncanny realism that Burmester is known for are lacking. However, the added value over the standard audio system is undeniable, making this an asset indeed.

Another valuable option is the "head-up display", which projects important data such as speed and instructions from the navigation system into the driver's field of vision. This works so pleasantly in practice that the traditional clocks seem completely unnecessary.

Petrol C200

What makes the C-Class unique within the Mercedes-Benz range are its modest engines versus its benevolent equipment. This is particularly true of the "C200". This four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine has a distinct character, to say the least. For a start, the C200 is so quiet that it is literally inaudible. Only a glance at the rev counter reveals that the engine has actually started. Once again, therefore, the resemblance to Mercedes-Benz's larger models is clear.

At low revs, however, hardly any power is available and therefore the C200 feels downright sluggish. The sprint time from, say, 100 to 120 km/h in sixth gear should not be measured with a stopwatch, but with a calendar. At the same time, the power source shows tremendous suppleness: even at (very) low revs, the engine never struggles.

However, when downshifting and the revs rise above 4,000 rpm, the C200 actually proves to be lively, quick and even aggressive. The advantage of this choice is that the driver is generally invited to drive economically, but the car always has enough reserve when needed. Because of this ambivalent character, the C200 is certainly not a car to buy unseen from the brochure.

Diesel: C300 BlueTec Hybrid

The new C-Class is also available as a hybrid. Here, Mercedes opts for a much sought-after but still little offered combination, namely a diesel engine with an electric motor. Because a diesel engine has much more torque  than a petrol engine, it is difficult to make a smooth transition from the diesel engine to the electric motor.

Mercedes-Benz has partly solved this problem by using the electric motor mainly as an auxiliary engine. Technically, the "C300 BlueTec Hybrid" is capable of a few kilometres of all-electric driving, but in practice, the diesel engine is almost always active.

The consumption of 3.6 litres per 100 km quoted by Mercedes-Benz is therefore hardly achievable (test consumption: 6.2 litres per 100 km). On the other hand, performance is excellent. Thanks to the electric auxiliary motor, the 2.1-litre diesel is much stronger, without consumption being much higher; however, it is not an economy miracle.

Besides the modern hybrid, an old-fashioned 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel is also available. In practice, this has a quieter, more refined run than the hybrid. Although the performance level is undeniably lower, so is consumption and noise. Those driving calmly with the flow of traffic consume at most 5.0 litres per 100 km.

Handling

Despite its hefty exterior dimensions, the C-Class definitely does not feel like a big car. Even in town, this 4.7-metre-long sedan is remarkably easy to handle. True to the brand's tradition, the standard C-Class makes an exquisite choice for comfort. Thereby, the distance between the driver and the mechanics is very large. The car does the work, the driver merely gives instructions and trusts the technology blindly. The latter is not unjustified, as roadholding is excellent.

Those who want more feeling with the car opt for the sports suspension. This is lowered 15 mm and much firmer. Now the C-Class does not float, but bumps in the road surface as well as the workings of the mechanics can be clearly felt. This gives the driver much more feeling with the car, increasing driving pleasure.

Those who want to go one step further can opt for the adaptive suspension ("AirMatic"). Using "Agility Control", the driver can then choose a comfortable, normal or sporty character. The added value lies in the fact that the degree of comfort is higher than with the comfortable suspension, while the car responds even more sharply than the sporty version. This is how the C-Class manages to charm the driver time and again.

Conclusion

Mercedes-Benz introduces the all-new C-Class. More than ever, the C-Class manages to seduce with refined materials and modern electronics, making the "Mercedes" feeling more prominent.

The range of engines has widened. The "C200" petrol engine is always quiet and comfortable, but can also show its sporty side when requested. The "C300 BlueTec Hybrid" combines a diesel engine with an electric motor to achieve better performance, without a disproportionate increase in consumption. The "C200 CDi" (diesel) will be the best-selling version, as it offers the best combination of good performance with low consumption.

When it comes to driving characteristics, too, it is mainly the level of refinement with which the new C-Class takes a big step forward. Thanks to "Agility Control", the driver can now choose a distinctly comfortable or sporty character. This makes the C-Class even more versatile, to charm an even larger group of buyers.