The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Elegant design
- Natural cabin materials
- Sharp infotainment
- Mild-hybrid power boost
Dislikes
- Coupe and convertible migrate to CLE
- Luxe features still cost extra
- Adaptive cruise costs extra
- No M3 rival
- Where's C 63?
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2024 Mercedes C-Class prioritizes elegance and comfort over sportiness.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class? What does it compare to?
The Mercedes C-Class anchors the classic Benz lineup of rear-drive sedans. It rivals the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Genesis G70.
Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class a good car?
The C-Class epitomizes the luxury compact sedan segment, excelling with a luxurious and spacious cabin brimming with the latest in connected car technology. The ride leans to the comfortable side, while other rivals turn up the performance. It earns a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Mercedes adds a few tech upgrades as standard this year, including parking sensors, a wireless phone charging pad, and a satellite radio trial.
Redesigned for 2022, the sedan makes big news as the only member of the C-Class lineup. The coupe and convertible versions have been blended into a new model, the CLE-Class, that straddles the difference in size between the C-Class and the midsize E-Class.
The C-Class models elegance like a black sport coat. It can appear simultaneously sporty with its long nose and low stance, and stately, with its crisp body lines and rather broad greenhouse. The interior embraces the brand’s aviation past with circular dash vents and a sumptuous blend of natural wood and aluminum trim, as well as a contemporary splash of digital screens and ambient lighting.
The lineup consists of the rear-wheel-drive C 300 and all-wheel-drive C 300 4Matic sold in Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trims. The C 300 uses a 2.0-liter turbo-4 with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that smooths out the jump from a stop and also boosts fuel economy.
The C-Class has a fully independent suspension and adjustable dampers that translate into a poised ride, though it can lean in turns a bit more than other sedans in this class. Direct steering and controlled handling instill enough confidence to drive it like a German sedan.
An AMG C 43 model turns the 2.0-liter turbo-4 up to 402 hp, and the mild-hybrid helps it hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, down from 6.0 seconds in the C 300. It also gets a sport suspension, all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and a sportier design, with vertical struts in the grille, larger front air intakes, and a fake rear diffuser. We haven’t driven it yet, however.
Inside, the C-Class balances technology with luxury and great front seats as well as a voluminous trunk space. It’s a better, comfier, roomier cruiser than most other sedans in this segment. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster complements by a 11.9-inch touchscreen in a portrait-style layout. The power front seats are heated and covered in synthetic leather, but opting up for real hides elevates the feeling of exclusivity in the warm, welcoming cabin.
The IIHS credits the C-Class with a Top Safety Pick+ commendation, and it comes equipped with standard driver assist tech such as automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors.
How much does the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cost?
The 2024 C 300 Premium costs $48,100, including a $1,150 destination charge; adding 4Matic all-wheel drive costs $2,000. Standard features include heated front seats, a satellite radio trial, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 11.9-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility and a wireless smartphone charger. The Exclusive trim exceeds $50,000, while the Pinnacle costs more than $52,000.
The AMG C 43 comes in Premium or Pinnacle trim for $63,850. Even at that price, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control cost extra.
Where is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class made?
In Bremen, Germany.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C Class Styling
The 2024 C-Class exudes elegance inside and out.
Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class a good-looking car?
Yes. Like a black sport jacket, it can look just as good in a meeting as a night out, and it’s all about how you dress up the details around this classic sedan. Its long nose is fronted by a wide grille buttoned up with the three-pointed star logo that can be illuminated. In this age of garishly large grilles, the Mercedes’ C-Class is one of stately restraint. That restrained elegance carries over down the body over 18-inch wheels most attractive with the five-spoke design, to the snub rear. The exterior earns a point, and the brand’s aviation-inspired design takes flight up front and carries over inside, where it earns another two points to an 8.
Inside, the C-Class devotes plenty of dash real estate to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen oriented vertically. With 64-way ambient lighting, it can divert the eye away from the gorgeous blend of wood and metallic accents. Three circular vents top the touchscreen and another pair bookend the dash, and a three-spoke steering wheel combine to reflect a contemporary take on the brand’s aviation past. Different shades of synthetic and real leather, and various dash patterns lend it the luxury calling card of customization without costing too much. The kids call it a vibe. We think.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C Class Performance
Comfort blends with power in the 2024 C-Class.
The C 300’s turbo-4 balances grace with growl, while the ride is tuned to comfort. That earns the C-Class a 7 for performance, but the extra shot of speed would earn the AMG C 43 an 8 if rated alone.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4WD?
Rear-wheel drive comes standard but 4Matic all-wheel drive is optional on the C 300 and standard on the AMG C 43.
How fast is the C-Class?
The C 300 employs a 2.0-liter turbo-4 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that generates 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 mph time of 6.0 seconds, but the BMW 3-Series and Genesis G70 base models can do it quicker. Still, there’s more than enough power to jump out ahead of traffic and the 9-speed automatic transmission interprets the driver’s intent seamlessly: it’ll hold gears longer when the throttle is mashed, and flick through lower gears when unpressured to optimize efficiency. The mild-hybrid helps fill torque at low rpm as well.
The C-Class shines most with its plush ride. Multi-link independent suspensions front and rear have adjustable dampers that soaks up road acne without scarring occupants. It might have the comfiest ride quality in the segment, but it also has more body lean than more frenetic rivals, even with the firmer tuning of Sport mode or with the AMG Line package. Still, direct steering and mostly predictable body movement results in enough control to push it.
C 43 performance
The 2.0-liter turbo-4 in the AMG C 43 ratchets up 402 hp and 369 lb-ft, and the mild-hybrid can give brief 13-hp boosts. It aids the advanced turbocharger to limit lag off the line, then the exhaust gasses take over at higher speeds. Mercedes estimates a 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds. We’ll update how the rear-wheel steering and sport suspension elevate this model once we drive it.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C Class Comfort & Quality
The 2024 C-Class stretches out the compact part of the sedan.
The 2024 C-Class earns an 8 for comfort due to comfy front seats with good bolstering and thigh support, as well as standard power adjustments and heaters, as well as a roomy trunk that can hold 17.9 cubic feet and the Mercedes pedigree for a luxurious fit and finish. Roomy and supportive front seats team with great interior materials and a big trunk to earn the C-Class an 8 here.
Synthetic leather upholstery covers the seats, though most shoppers might choose rich grades of leather in black, brown, and even red hues. The keen attention to detail extends to dash trim materials ranging from aluminum to walnut wood, and as in other Mercedes vehicles, the C-Class cocoons occupants from road and wind noise.
Like other luxury compact sedans, the rear seats have three seatbelts, but only two smaller passengers can fit. The 36.0 inches of legroom is plenty, but the low roof requires a duck and dip to get in, and taller passengers will feel the squeeze up top.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C Class Safety
The 2024 C-Class has good crash-test results and plenty of safety features.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Even though it was redesigned in 2022, the NHTSA still hasn’t gotten around to crash-testing the sedan, though its predecessor earned a five-star rating. Its standard set of driver-assist tech, advanced safety options, and Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS all earn it a point to an 8 here.
Mercedes fits the C 300 standard automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitors, and an exit warning system. The $1,950 Driver Assistance Package adds active lane control, a more sophisticated blind-spot system that will nudge the car out of danger, and an adaptive cruise control system that can restart from a stop in traffic without driver intervention.
Sightlines out the front windshield are good, but the curved roofline cuts into rear vision.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C Class Features
The 2024 C-Class comes well equipped for under $50,000.
The 2024 C 300 Premium costs $48,100, including a $1,150 destination charge; adding 4Matic all-wheel drive costs $2,000. Standard features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 11.9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone compatibility and a wireless smartphone charger. Mercedes includes power front seats that are heated, a satellite radio trial, and a glow-up of ambient lighting. The layered infotainment system and large screen earn it a point, as long as you’re patient with the learning curve, and the luxurious standard equipment also earns a point. An options list ranging from a heated steering wheel to navigation with augmented reality earns it another point, but adaptive cruise control still costs extra even on the top Pinnacle trim.
The C-Class misses a point because its 4-year/50,000-mile warranty lacks scheduled maintenance. It’s an 8.
Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class should I buy?
All-wheel drive adds $2,000. It might be tempting to step up $2,050 to the Exclusive trim for Burmester sound and a surround-view camera system, or instead climb up $4,100 to the Pinnacle trim to add augmented navigation and a head-up display. Even with those trims, however, Mercedes options a heated steering wheel, cooled front seats, and adaptive cruise control. We’d stick with the base model.
How much is a fully loaded 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The AMG C 43 comes with rear-axle steering, an AMG steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and a sport suspension, for $61,050. It can also be had in Pinnacle trim for $63,850.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C Class Fuel Economy
The 2024 C-Class rates at up to 30 mpg combined.
Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class good on gas?
The mild-hybrid system boosts the C 300’s turbo-4 to an EPA-rated 26 mpg city, 36 highway, 30 combined. Most shoppers elect for the added assurance of all-wheel drive, which lowers the rating to 23/33/27 mpg. Either way, it’s a 3.
Last year’s AMG C43 with standard all-wheel drive rated at 19/26/22 mpg, but the EPA hasn’t certified it yet this year.
