Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes C 450 AMG Sport 2015 review

Thrilling Mercedes C 450 AMG Sport Estate gives a taste of full-fat AMG model

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes C-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Mercedes C 450 AMG Sport doesn’t arrive in UK showrooms until 2016, but it will be worth the wait. Thanks to its AMG tweaks, it’s faster and more entertaining than an Audi S4, yet it loses none of the refinement of the standard C-Class, and the 4MATIC transmission adds extra all-weather peace of mind. As an effortless and engaging upmarket executive express, this Mercedes takes some beating.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If your budget doesn’t stretch to a Mercedes-AMG C 63, then Mercedes could have the answer in the form of the new C 450 Sport 4MATIC saloon and Estate models. Designed to bridge the gap between the standard C-Class models and the V8-powered flagship, the newcomer aims to distil some AMG magic into a more cost-effective package.

Not that the C 450 is a humdrum machine. Look past the subtly sporty looks and you’ll find a 362bhp 3.0-litre V6 twinned to Mercedes’ grippy 4MATIC all-wheel-drive transmission. More importantly, the suspension, brakes and steering are carried over from the C 63.

On the move, the C 450 lacks the thrills of the C63, but it’s vastly better than the standard C-Class. The steering is direct and accurate, the dampers do a good job of controlling body roll and there’s lots of grip – the 4MATIC system delivers terrific traction out of slower bends. Yet thanks to a torque split that sends 67 per cent of the engine’s effort to the rear wheels, the C 450’s attitude can be subtly adjusted using the throttle.

The new engine is a highlight, too. It can’t match the C 63 for firepower, but with 520Nm of torque and a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds (4.9 seconds for the saloon), the newcomer is no slouch, plus the twin-turbo unit delivers a sporty growl when extended.

Turn the AMG Dynamic Select control to Comfort and the C 450 settles down to a quiet cruise. The ride is a little stiff over broken surfaces, but otherwise it’s relaxed and refined. This impression is heightened by an interior that majors on upmarket premium appeal – although a bright red finish for the steering wheel stitching and seatbelts adds a racy flourish.

And the C 450’s credentials as a cut-price AMG are boosted by fuel returns of 36.6mpg and emissions of 180g/km for the Estate, and 37.1mpg and 178g/km for the saloon.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Mercedes C Class

Mercedes C Class

RRP £35,490Used from £14,199
BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

RRP £31,915Avg. savings £5,448 off RRP*Used from £11,895
BMW 5 Series

BMW 5 Series

RRP £52,285Avg. savings £7,414 off RRP*Used from £18,995
Audi A6

Audi A6

RRP £39,640Avg. savings £7,388 off RRP*Used from £16,490
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Dacia Jogger review
Dacia Jogger - main image

Dacia Jogger review

In-depth reviews
27 Jun 2025
Cupra Leon review
Cupra Leon - front action

Cupra Leon review

In-depth reviews
10 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front cornering left 1

Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month

The Golf GTI has been a classic from day one – and it’s our Deal of the Day for 8 July.
News
8 Jul 2025