Mercedes' fifth generation C-Class has taken a useful step forward, thinks Jonathan Crouch
Ten Second Review
Mercedes has rejuvenated its important C-Class model for a new era, significantly updating the combustion saloon and estate versions of this fifth generation W206-era design to reflect the look of the added all-electric version. As before, this premium lower mid-sized model brings more than a dash of S-Class luxury to this important segment.
Background
Once, if you thought of a Mercedes you thought of a large limo. But for the last three decades, the model that has more readily sprung to mind is the C-Class. Here, we're looking at the very extensive update made to the fifth generation W206 version.
With this car, Mercedes still wants you to think of a large limo, calling it a 'mini S-Class'. Though the C-Class isn't quite as important a model for the brand as it once was (the smaller CLA now out-sells in the UK), it remains a defining contender for the marque. Especially since the arrival of the C-Class Electric, launched just before this combustion model update, whose controversial aggressive frontal look provided the inspiration for the visual changes made here.
Under the new packaging, the changes made aren't particularly far-reaching, which you might think could be an issue given that the saloon and estate variants of this Mercedes are still priced above equivalent versions of their BMW 3 Series / i3 closest rival - and that Munich model is an all-new car.
But since 1993, the draw of the Three-Pointed Star has delivered C-Class sales anyway. This model line has found 12 million new owners since the MK1 W202 version first arrived, followed by the W203 in 2000, the W204 in 2007, the W205 in 2014 and the current W206 generation in 2021. But is this latest car good enough to sell on more than just its badge?
Engines and Tech Spec
Obviously the big change with the W206-era C-Class going forward is that there's now a full-electric model, but in terms of the combustion versions, not a lot has been done to the engineering of this facelifted design. For the UK, the important news is that Mercedes doesn't want to sell diesel versions of this car any more - of either the mild hybrid or the PHEV kind, which is disappointing given that these variants carry on elsewhere in Europe.
Mercedes says that the remaining mild hybrid petrol units that make up the bulk of the line-up have been revised to meet tougher Euro 7 emission standards. Specifically, the 48V system now powers a new electric compressor for the turbocharger, which is claimed to reduce turbo lag. Across the board, power and torque outputs of this rear-driven 9-speed auto model have slightly improved as a result.
There are two main mild hybrid petrol options, starting with the C 250, which as before uses a turbocharged four cylinder 2.0-litre M 254 EVO engine mated to an electric motor and puts out 237bhp with 320Nm of torque, allowing for a 7.3 second 0-62mph time and a 154mph top speed. The alternative is the C 300, which uses a more powerful version of the same four cylinder unit and the same 48V mild hybrid set-up. Total power here is 278bhp with 400Nm of torque, which lowers the 0-62 mph time to 6.1 seconds and increases the top speed to 155mph.
Mercedes also retains a very strong PHEV variant, the C 300e, capable of driving up to 65 miles on energy from its 19.5kWh battery. The C 300e uses the turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine and offers 347bhp, a little more than previously thanks to a small power increase for the petrol and electric motors. Mercedes has engineered the usual flagship high performance AMG models to complete the line-up.
In all models, the chassis has been tweaked as part of this update, with stiffer dampers supposed to improve agility without compromising ride at cruising speeds. As before, adaptive damping and rear-wheel steering are optional on mainstream models. With rear-axle steering fitted, at lower speeds, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels - by up to 2.5-degrees opposite to the front-axle angle during parking. This reduces the turning circle by 43cms to 10.64 metres. Go faster and the rear wheels turn slightly in the same direction as those at the front to improve corner turn-in.
Design and Build
With the era of electric Mercedes models looking quite different to their combustion counterparts well and truly over, saloon and estate versions of this combustion C-Class adopt the more overt front-end look of the C-Class Electric. On closer inspection, the new grille isn't quite the same as the one on the EV, not centrally illuminated, less an apparent after-thought and much more harmonious with the styling of this continuing MK5 W206-era design.
This grille gets bright chrome accents and can be had with an illuminated surround. It connects via black trim to headlamps that now feature star-shaped daytime running lights. The star-shaped illuminating theme continues on the revised tail lights of the saloon model; the ear end of the estate (which strangely can't be had as a full-EV) is the same as before.
Inside, Mercedes has resisted the temptation to add the full cabin-width screenfest that features on its other latest models. So the interior is the same as before with a 'floating' 12.3-inch driver's instrument display and an 11.9-inch portrait-orientated infotainment touchscreen. But lots of work has gone in to improve that central monitor, with a new user interface, extra AI support in the software and navigation incorporating both Google AI and Maps data.
Mercedes has also redesigned the steering wheel with a reinstated physical rocker switch and dial for the cruise and sound systems respectively. And there are refreshed materials and trim options on which (as before) you'll have to spend quite a lot to get the kind of high-end feeling cabin finish Mercedes wants you to have. Which includes background lighting for the three 'jet engine'-style circular central vents and the single vents at either end of the dash.
Space in the rear is as before comfortable for two but a squash for three. Out back, the 455-litre boot capacity is competitive in the saloon, but falls to 315-litres with the C 300e PHEV. If you prioritise cargo room then of course, you'll want the Estate variant. Its automatic tailgate rises to reveal 490-litres of luggage room (or 360-litres with the PHEV). With the seats folded, that rises to 1,510-litres (1,375-litres with the PHEV).
Market and Model
Prices are much as with the earlier version of this W206 generation model, which means you can expect to pay somewhere in the £47,000 and £62,000 bracket for mainstream combustion models, depending on the engine and trim level you want - and your choice between the two mainstream body shapes, saloon and estate (the latter costing about £2,500 more). For reference, the C 400 4MATIC electric model is priced from around £58,000. Whatever kind of powertrain you want with your C-Class, trim levels kick off with 'Sport', then there's 'AMG Line', 'AMG Line Premium Plus' and top 'Premier Edition'.
As you'd hope for the money, equipment levels are generous. Even the 'Sport' version gets 19-inch wheels, plus synthetic leather and micro-suede upholstery. 'AMG Line' trim for £5,000 more gets you an illuminated grille with 'Digital' LED headlights, upgraded ambient lighting, a 360-degree parking camera and powered front seats clad in full-synthetic leather.
For another £2,500, mid-range 'Premium Plus' trim gets you a smarter 19-inch wheel design, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof and an upgraded Burmester stereo system. If you can find another £2,500 for the top 'Premier Edition', you get another smarter wheel design, real leather upholstery, adaptive damping and rear-wheel steering.
Obviously, across the line-up there are lots of options. If you can't stretch to top-spec trim, you can add adaptive damping and rear-wheel steering as a part of a 'Refinement Package' for £2,500 extra. And there's the option of real leather upholstery for another £1,750.
Cost of Ownership
Let's get to the WLTP-rated figures, starting with the petrol mild hybrid models. For the 2.0-litre C 250, the combined stat is 43.5mpg (the same as a rival BMW 320i). For the C 300, it's 42.9mpg. CO2 emissions are rated at 147g/km for the C 250 and 150g/km for the C 300. For the C 300e PHEV, the combined cycle figure is 113mpg with up to 58g/km of CO2 and up to 65 miles of EV range.
The C 300e PHEV can DC-charge (not a given with PHEV models in this segment) and can be charged in 30 minutes with a 55kW fast charger (an 11kW device is fitted as standard). This PHEV also benefits from an adjustable energy recuperation system that can top up the battery at up to 100kW when cruising or decelerating. Mercedes has also added in a hybrid-specific route-planning function that uses the navigation, route topography and traffic data to work out the most efficient route, enabling, for instance, automatic prioritisation of the electric motor in town driving.
If you're wondering about the C-Class Electric, well that car in its C 400 4MATIC launch spec can go up to 452 miles on a charge. A 10-80% DC charge can be completed in 22 minutes and nearly 200 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes if you find a fast enough charge. At home, a full AC charge using a single phase 7.4kW wallbox needs15.25 hours, a time you can reduce to 10.50 hours if you're able to charge using a three-phase 11kW AC wallbox. You can AC charge at 22kW too, but that requires an extra £1,000 package to be added.
Summary
The C-Class continues to have a car park presence its segment rivals can't quite match, though the divisively-styled nose of this updated fifth generation model makes it a slightly more controversial one. On paper, it's easy to argue that the more recently designed BMW alternative is a slightly better overall product. But buying and leasing decisions in this segment aren't only made on paper and a spell in this rejuvenated C might still persuade you to spend your money Stuttgart's way.
We wonder a little about some the powertrain choices made here. The decision to drop diesel might be slightly premature. And it seems odd that there's no electric estate model. But the Plug-in Hybrid tech remains difficult to better and ride quality's still class leading. Even so, you won't choose one of these if you can't get on with its newly-added frontal look. But if you like it, then your buying decision might be confirmed by a cabin that can feel extremely high-end if you spend enough money on it. So there's a C-change here, but ultimately nothing is really very different. Which is just as many customers will want it.
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