Mercedes C-Class review

Our opinion on the Mercedes C-Class

The Mercedes C-Class has been a company car favourite for 35 years. But with the segment moving at such a swift rate, this rehashed facelifted version falls short of the mark. The hybrid powertrain is clunky compared with the latest Audi A5’s, and dynamically it does little to challenge the class leaders. In short, you’ll need a very good reason to choose the petrol-powered C-Class over its accomplished electric equivalent.

About the Mercedes C-Class

The Mercedes C-Class has mixed it with the company car elite for as long as we care to remember, offering almost unfaltering comfort and quality to high-flying executives since the early nineties.

But with the arrival of the new Mercedes C-Class Electric earlier this year, where does that leave buyers who aren’t yet ready to make the switch? Determined not to turn its back on loyal C-Class customers, the maker has given its petrol and hybrid saloon a much needed nip and tuck.

Based on a familiar body, a subtle new look more closely aligns the ICE car with the EV – including an oversized grille and star-shaped daytime running lights. That grille isn’t illuminated like on the electric car – only the outer edge lights up – but is adorned with lots of little three-pointed chrome stars; a polarising look, but distinctive nonetheless. It’s business as usual at the back, with a typical bumper-and-light refresh that would go largely unnoticed to the untrained eye. 

If you thought the exterior updates were subtle, wait until you take a seat inside. With the ignition off, it’s almost impossible to spot any changes; the revised C-Class uses largely unaltered hardware, with the same 12.3-inch driver’s display and 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. There’s no passenger-side display like you’ll find on the C-Class Electric, and nothing as innovative as BMW’s Panoramic Vision iDrive display on the latest 3 Series.

Used - available now

2019 Mercedes

C Class

50,336 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £17,999

View C Class

2023 Mercedes

C Class

34,481 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £22,780

View C Class

2024 Mercedes

C Class

10,541 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £30,549

View C Class

2021 Mercedes

C Class

46,037 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £21,299

View C Class

However, behind the familiar facade, Mercedes has integrated its new-age infotainment interface, including Google Maps and greater levels of AI support. The screen itself is responsive and easy to use, plus the maker claims the system is capable of more substantial over-the-air updates, suggesting it’ll get even better over time.

The rest of the cabin upgrades revolve around a new simplified steering wheel already seen on its other models, plus refreshed materials and trim options. It still feels reasonably luxurious, but the bar in this segment has been raised so high recently that the C-Class only just manages to keep its head above water.

Mercedes C-Class prices and latest deals

Prices for the Mercedes C-Class start from just under £47,000 for the 2.0-litre petrol car in Urban Edition trim, rising to over £62,000 for the plug-in hybrid C 300 e in Premier Edition spec. The full-fat AMG models have been quietly paused for the time being; we expect these to return with new engine options in the future.

All models are currently available via our Buy A Car service, where you can find a new Mercedes C-Class with savings of up to £8,000.

Mercedes has ditched diesel with this mid-life facelift, slimming down the range to a choice of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrol powertrains. The entry-level C 200 is gone, which means the range kicks off with the C 250 – a 215bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder, which in the C 300 is boosted to 254bhp. Above this sits the C 300 e – a 322bhp petrol-electric PHEV designed to capitalise on the company car driver’s insatiable appetite for rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind tax.

All versions use a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which for the most part feels pretty slick. At times – especially when driving a bit quicker on an A or B-road – it can appear a little indecisive, struggling to select a gear and stick with it. But around town or at a cruise, it only adds to the C-Class’s refined and relaxed driving experience.

As mentioned, the plug-in hybrid will be the company car driver’s choice. It’s generally a refined and well behaved powertrain – especially if you keep the battery charged. Yet it doesn’t take much for the engine to ignite, which at low speeds can disturb the peace. It can feel quite clunky at times – particularly when compared to the excellent Audi A5 eHybrid.

Another thing we weren’t enamoured with was the Merc’s adaptive braking set-up. The inconsistent pedal feel and erratic regen made it very difficult to drive smoothly on the motorway. We found it better to switch it off entirely, or use the steering wheel paddles to adjust the system’s sensitivity on the fly.

Away from the hybrid system there are five driving modes to choose from: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. Each is tailored to suit a particular driving scenario, with the softer Comfort setting being our choice for everyday driving. Eco mode adjusts the throttle, climate control and other settings to help reduce overall fuel consumption, while also automatically shutting off the engine when you come to a standstill. 

Switching to Sport and Sport+ means you’ll benefit from sharper steering and throttle responses, along with a firmer suspension set-up on cars fitted with the adaptive suspension; a better option if you’re taking on a twisty B-road.

Mercedes has managed to improve the C-Class’s dynamic performance, but it still doesn’t trouble a BMW 3 Series for driving fun. Keen drivers will find that the brakes don’t offer enough feel and the steering could be more communicative, despite the various drive modes on offer.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

Now that the diesel models have been axed, and the AMG variants have been paused, the fastest C-Class you can buy is the 322bhp C 300 e plug-in hybrid. In this version, 0-62mph takes 5.9 seconds, while top speed stands at 149mph. This engine can feel a little gruff and almost diesel-like under load. It’s at its best running on electric power.

We’ve not driven the facelifted C 250 or C 300, but small power bumps have resulted in minor performance gains: the lower-power car can hit 62mph in 7.3 seconds, while the C 300 completes the same sprint in 6.1 seconds. 

Private buyers and business users will find it hard to ignore the cost savings to be had from running a C-Class plug-in hybrid model, compared with a conventionally powered petrol or diesel car. While unrelated, the new Mercedes C-Class Electric is worth a look, too.

The C 300 e offers a claimed 67 miles of all-electric drive, dropping only slightly if you opt for one of the top-spec cars on bigger wheels. That’s not far from the real-world reality in our experience, either; our test model showed around 100km (62 miles) on a full battery, and the trip dropped around 1km for every one per cent of charge.

Keep the C 300 e in electric mode and it’ll allegedly do up to 87mph before forcing the engine into life – meaning many drivers will be able to tackle the daily commute without using a drop of fuel. Mercedes has even equipped its plug-in models with a 55kW charging capability, which is a faster rate than you’d normally find in other PHEVs, so replenishing the 25.4kWh battery from 10 to 80 per cent could take as little as 20 minutes.

Company car drivers will also benefit from a big reduction in Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax, with the C-Class plug-in models falling into sub-10 per cent brackets. In comparison, the C 250 and C 300 petrol cars are 20-25 per cent higher, which means you’ll pay a whole lot more to HMRC if your compact exec comes without plug-in power.

Insurance group

Insurance group ratings for the latest C-Class haven’t been revealed, but we don’t expect them to jump significantly versus the outgoing, pre-facelift car. This model sat in the group 30-40 range, with the AMG versions slightly above this.

Depreciation

Our expert data indicates that all versions of the latest C-Class should retain at least 42 per cent of their value after three years or 36,000 miles. The model that retains the greatest share is the base C 250, with the C 300 Premier Edition falling furthest from its original list price.

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​​With serious competition from stylish SUVs and the clean-sheet designs of modern all-electric rivals turning the heads of potential buyers, Mercedes decided that a significant overhaul was necessary in order to keep up the appeal of its compact executive car.

Except that was the best part of five years ago – and what set the benchmark back then is starting to feel its age now. Compare the standard two-screen layout to the latest BMW 3 Series, complete with its Panoramic Vision iDrive display, and the C-Class looks quite ordinary.

Mercedes has at least updated all of the software with the 2026 facelift, meaning the 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen is now running cutting-edge tech including Google AI and Google Maps. It’ll benefit from extensive over-the-air updates in due course, too, meaning you can rest easy in the knowledge your car is the best it can be.

Based on a heavily reworked version of the previous model’s Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform, the latest C-Class is bigger than before, although it has a lower roofline which helps to create a more purposeful, sportier stance. It’s a good looking car, even if the mid-life update did introduce a more polarising aesthetic. 

Inside, even if the tech looks a bit old-hat, the plush materials and first-rate fit and finish continue to give the C-Class a junior S-Class feel. In addition to that aforementioned portrait touchscreen, all cars come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, easily configured using the tactile roller buttons on the new-look steering wheel.

Standard equipment on the Urban Edition model includes 19-inch wheels and LED ‘high-performance’ headlights, plus Artico man-made leather, ambient lighting and plenty of connectivity options. AMG Line Premium adds different styling elements and trim, plus a panoramic roof and other extras.

AMG Line Premium Plus throws in even more toys, including a head-up display and Burmester 3D surround sound system, as well as black open-pore wood with aluminium trim. Premier Edition brings luxuries such as rear-axle steering, although on a car of this size we’d question its usefulness.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment 

The latest MBUX set-up in the C-Class borrows tech from the S-Class limousine, but while it might have set the tone when the car launched in 2021, it doesn’t have the same wow factor today. Still, it’s slick enough to operate, and the menus are intuitive. Google Mapping and AI integration improves the user-experience even further.

​Once sat in the driver’s seat you can really start to appreciate the comfort on offer in the C-Class. Comparisons to the S-Class luxury limo are not without merit, with all models featuring Artico man-made leather upholstery, heated seats and climate control, along with the Seat Comfort pack which provides increased electric adjustment to enable you to find the perfect seat position.

The C-Class isn’t all style without substance, though, and there are plenty of useful practical touches included to help make life a little easier from behind the wheel. The standard reversing camera will help with tricky parking manoeuvres, while Premium cars come equipped with a 360-degree camera and an Active Parking Assist system which does most of the hard work for you using its clever radar tech and sensors.

Other kit such as the MBUX voice-controlled multimedia system helps you to concentrate fully on the road, and there’s further scope to add equipment like a head-up display and an augmented reality function for the sat-nav. We found this function incredibly useful during our test drive.

Dimensions and size

The fifth-generation C-Class is a bigger car overall than the model it replaced. Mercedes’ executive saloon has increased in length by 4,793mm and by 10mm in width to 1,820mm, although it sits 7mm lower. The wheelbase has grown by 25mm too, which helps provide a little more room in the cabin.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Room up front in the C-Class is good for both the driver and passenger, while those travelling in the back benefit from more head and knee room than before. Four adult occupants can be accommodated with relative ease, although taller adults may find their scalp brushing on the headlining – especially on cars fitted with the panoramic roof. The middle seat is perhaps best left for shorter journeys. The estate model offers a little more headroom up front, but a full 30mm over the saloon in the rear of the cabin.

Boot space

At 455 litres, the C-Class’s boot is actually five litres larger than that of the latest BMW 3 Series, although the Merc’s figure shrinks dramatically to just 315 litres in the plug-in hybrid C 300 e. The Audi A5 is arguably the most practical car in this class thanks to its more versatile hatchback tailgate. Regardless, the estate versions of each will be better for those regularly carrying big loads.

Towing

All C-Class models have a braked towing capacity of 1,800kg, which should be more than enough for most day-to-day needs.

The current C-Class was tested by Euro NCAP in 2022, and it achieved a full five-star safety rating. A wide range of standard safety equipment helped towards this score, with all C-Class models featuring a blind spot monitoring system, lane-keeping assistance, an autonomous emergency braking function and Attention Assist, which detects driver fatigue on a longer journey and alerts you to take a break. 

Mercedes has also taken pedestrian safety into account by fitting its Active Bonnet tech to the C-Class: if an imminent collision is detected, the bonnet raises up to create a cushion between itself and the engine, helping to prevent injury to the pedestrian.

Those interested in the C-Class will take comfort in Merc’s recent Driver Power owner satisfaction scores; Mercedes topped the table of 30 manufacturers in 2026, taking gold in six out the 10 main categories.

Warranty

Mercedes offers a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty for its C-Class, with an option to take out extended cover for a further 12 or 24 months at extra cost. Alternatively, a one-month rolling contract is also available.

Servicing

The Mercedes ServiceCare plan allows you to spread servicing costs into monthly payments, or settle upfront as a one-off payment. Prices start from £38 per month.

Mercedes C-Class alternatives

Competition to win over buyers in the executive saloon market is stronger than ever. The new BMW 3 Series – based on the excellent, Auto Express award-winning iX3 – is just around the corner, and expectations are high. The Beemer has always set the standard when it comes to driving fun, but the brand’s latest chassis and infotainment tech means the bar could be lifted out of reach when cars start trickling through in early 2027.

The Audi A5 is another talented alternative, especially in hybrid guise. The powertrain is slick, and the cabin feels special. In comparison, the C-Class is starting to show its age.

But that’s also true of many of the Merc’s executive car rivals. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is great to drive, but there are precious few reasons to recommend one unless your daily commute is exclusively done on windy back roads. The Jaguar XE is no longer in production, and Lexus doesn’t make a combustion-powered small saloon anymore.

Pure-electric models offer further opposition to the executive saloon establishment, with models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Polestar 2 all delivering low running costs and eye-catching looks. The Tesla Model 3 also has a level of brand appeal that’s strong enough to meet the C-Class head on.

Mercedes C-Class pictures

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What do owners think

Over the years most C-Classes have been very well received, but the feedback in our 2025 Driver Power survey was exceptionally strong. As well as appreciating the Merc’s good value, its owners rated practicality very highly, with fifth and sixth places for cabin storage and child-friendly features, while flexible seating and luggage space were ranked 11th and 12th. Exterior style was rated an excellent fifth, with interior design just behind in 12th. On the road, the C-Class’s supple ride and driving pleasure were the best-rated attributes, although road handling was 39th.

Used and nearly new Mercedes C-Class

Buying a used Mercedes C-Class means you'll benefit from superb comfort, decent levels of kit and a classy looking interior. Nearly new cars will still be relatively expensive to buy, while the C-Class can be pretty costly to run, with insurance premiums and servicing costs reflecting the fact that it's a premium compact executive car.

There should be lots of examples to choose from as the C-Class has always sold well in the UK, but make sure, as ever, that your purchase comes with a good history and evidence of servicing and maintenance.

Mercedes C-Class history

Mercedes C-Class Mk4: 2014-2021

The Mk4 Mercedes C-Class will definitely appeal to those looking for a capable compact executive car. Available as either a saloon, estate, coupé or convertible model, the C-Class offers a sense of style and relatively affordable luxury that more mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat just can't match.

The C-Class range was given a refresh in 2018 where, alongside some subtle exterior tweaks, new C300e petrol and C300de diesel plug-in hybrids were introduced offering improved fuel economy and tax savings for company car drivers. Read our full Mk4 Mercedes C-Class buyer’s guide here…