The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has long been the benchmark for compact luxury sedans, a status symbol for young professionals and a comfortable cruiser for discerning drivers. For almost three decades, the C-Class has represented accessible Mercedes luxury, bridging the gap before you stepped up to the E-Class. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 marks the fifth generation of this iconic model, boasting a complete redesign that promises to elevate the driving experience. Having spent a week behind the wheel of the new C300, it’s clear that Mercedes has delivered a car that’s undeniably luxurious and technologically advanced. But are these enhancements enough to maintain its reign in a fiercely competitive segment? Let’s delve into the details of this sophisticated sedan.
Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic: Unpacking the Specs
Before diving into the driving dynamics and luxurious features, let’s lay out the key specifications of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic, the model we tested:
- Base Price (as tested): $46,600 ($55,200)
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 48-volt mild hybrid system
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (4Matic)
- Horsepower: 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm (plus 27 hp overboost)
- Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2,000 to 3,200 rpm
- Curb Weight: 3,957 pounds
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Cargo Volume: 17.9 cubic feet
- EPA Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 27 mpg combined
- Verdict: A refined and comfortable luxury sedan with a stunning interior and smooth driving dynamics, slightly let down by inconsistent brakes and overly sensitive touch controls.
- Score: 7.5/10
The C-Class Legacy: More Than Just an Entry-Level Benz
While Mercedes-Benz now offers models like the A-Class, GLA, and GLB in the subcompact category, the C-Class retains its position as the quintessential Mercedes for those aspiring to luxury without the heft of the larger E-Class or S-Class. It stands as a direct competitor to established rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Lexus IS. This fifth-generation redesign for 2022 is Mercedes’ statement of intent to stay at the top of this competitive segment.
The exterior design of the 2022 C300 is a lesson in understated elegance. Apart from the slightly more aggressive AMG Line grille, which some might find reminiscent of a “frowny fish,” the C300 avoids being ostentatious. It’s a car designed to blend seamlessly into upscale environments, projecting sophistication without shouting for attention. In a world of increasingly bold and sometimes polarizing designs, the C300 offers a refreshing dose of mature and dignified styling, a stark contrast to the more aggressively styled BMW 4 Series or the ornate Lexus designs.
Step Inside: A Cabin That Redefines Luxury
The real magic of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 lies within its cabin. Stepping inside is an experience that consistently brought joy throughout the week-long test. The interior design, material quality, and overall ambiance are truly exceptional. It’s a space that feels genuinely special, elevating the C300 above its BMW and Lexus competitors in terms of perceived luxury. The dual screens—a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen angled towards the driver—are vibrant and crisp. The flat-bottom, perforated leather steering wheel feels premium to the touch, and the customizable ambient lighting adds a touch of personalized flair.
Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed for style. The C300 offers a surprisingly generous amount of rear seat room for its class. Visually, it appears more spacious than the Lexus IS, and the specifications confirm marginally better legroom and headroom compared to both the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
Engine and Performance: Efficient Power Delivery
A significant shift for the 2022 C-Class is the exclusive use of four-cylinder engines across the range. While more potent, electrified AMG versions are on the horizon, the current C300 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This combination produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a temporary overboost function adding an extra 27 horsepower for bursts of acceleration. All-wheel drive (4Matic) is optional, but even the base rear-wheel-drive model is estimated by Mercedes to reach 60 mph in a respectable 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph.
Driving Dynamics: Comfort and Composure
The Mercedes-Benz C300 prioritizes a smooth and comfortable driving experience over outright sportiness. It excels as a refined highway cruiser and a relaxed urban runabout. Sound insulation is commendable for the segment, creating a hushed cabin environment. The handling is best described as reassuringly responsive and predictable, making the car easy to maneuver. The steering weight can be adjusted through different drive modes, but even in its sportiest setting, it remains light and effortless, emphasizing ease of driving rather than aggressive feedback.
Despite its focus on comfort, the C300 is far from slow. The engine delivers ample torque, providing brisk acceleration that rivals the Lexus IS350 in terms of straight-line performance. When pushed, the C300 proves to be surprisingly agile and even enjoyable on winding roads. It confidently goes where pointed, maintaining composure without demanding too much driver input.
The overall driving experience is characterized by comfort, refinement, and a sense of sophisticated composure. However, this near-perfect picture is somewhat marred by one significant flaw: the brake pedal.
The Brake Pedal Issue: A Notable Drawback
The brake pedal in the C300 exhibits a peculiar calibration. The initial 60% of pedal travel feels almost unresponsive, followed by an abrupt and overly aggressive braking action in the final 40%. This long and jerky pedal feel is an unusual and unwelcome characteristic, making smooth stops unexpectedly challenging. Even after a week of driving, achieving consistently smooth braking required excessive concentration and finesse.
While this brake pedal behavior was a significant issue in the test car, it’s worth noting that other reviews, particularly those of this specific Obsidian Black Metallic test vehicle from Mercedes’ Toronto press fleet, have reported similar concerns. It’s possible that this issue is specific to certain production examples or a calibration quirk. Potential buyers are strongly advised to test drive the C300 thoroughly and pay close attention to the brake pedal feel.
Highs and Lows: Interior Brilliance vs. Touch Control Frustrations
Mercedes-Benz’s modern interiors, with their digital displays and ambient lighting, may not appeal to purists, but they are undeniably impressive. The C300’s cabin is a standout feature, boasting exceptional design, quality, and comfort, worthy of the Mercedes star. It borrows heavily from the flagship S-Class, inheriting subtle luxury touches such as pressure-sensitive seat adjustment controls and soft-close doors.
Interior build quality is also significantly improved over the previous C-Class generation. While not quite as rock-solid as a Porsche, the C300’s cabin is remarkably creak-free, especially considering its complex design and numerous panel gaps.
However, the interior’s technological advancements come with a usability trade-off: touch controls. Virtually all steering wheel controls are touch-sensitive, including the volume adjustment, which uses an outdated touch slider reminiscent of Honda’s poorly received system from 2016. The center console also lacks a traditional rotary knob, replaced by more touch-sensitive buttons that require excessive attention to operate. Even basic HVAC controls are relegated to the touchscreen interface.
Another minor annoyance is the unintuitive heated steering wheel operation, which, in the test car, could only be activated through voice commands or by simultaneously turning on the heated seats. Finally, the base stereo system, as expected, delivers only basic audio quality.
Features, Options, and Competition: Navigating the Luxury Sedan Landscape
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic starts at $46,600, with the rear-wheel-drive version offering a $2,000 saving. Equipping a U.S.-spec C300 to match the Canadian test vehicle’s specification results in a price of $55,200. The test car, including the Sport Package and black paint, totaled $60,365 CAD in Canada.
Key competitors include the BMW 330i xDrive (starting at $46,795) and Audi A4 45 TFSI (starting at $43,495). The C300 is currently the newest model among these three. Choosing the “best” among them is subjective. While the Mercedes boasts the most visually appealing interior, it arguably has the least user-friendly technology interface. In terms of driving dynamics, the C300 is likely similar to the Audi A4, while the BMW 3 Series leans towards a more overtly sporty, albeit sometimes less engaging, driving experience.
Sustainability: Mild Hybrid Efficiency
The C300’s mild-hybrid system primarily focuses on enhancing the smoothness of the auto start-stop function, which it achieves effectively. The engine restarts are nearly imperceptible, contributing to a more refined driving experience.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the AWD C300 are 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. These figures are slightly less frugal than its BMW and Audi rivals. Real-world testing over 350 miles yielded an average of exactly 27 mpg, aligning with the EPA estimates.
Value and Verdict: Almost a Home Run
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300, priced competitively within its segment, is tantalizingly close to being a class-leading luxury sedan. Ignoring the frustrating touch controls and the potentially flawed brake pedal, it’s an exceptionally opulent and enjoyable entry-luxury car. It blends poised handling, sufficient power, and a lavish interior with a tastefully restrained exterior.
For those captivated by the C300’s aesthetics, luxurious feel, and comfortable ride, the control and brake pedal issues may not be complete deal-breakers. However, they do detract from the overall experience, requiring a level of driver attention and adaptation not demanded by its rivals.
Addressing these two shortcomings would elevate the C-Class to a truly effortless recommendation. The brake issue, potentially a calibration problem or a first-year production glitch, seems more readily fixable. The touch controls, a broader Mercedes-Benz design trend, may be a more persistent issue. However, with even Volkswagen reconsidering its reliance on touch controls due to customer feedback, there’s still hope for Mercedes to refine this aspect in future iterations. The fundamental strengths of the new C300 are too compelling to dismiss, making it a luxury sedan with significant potential, pending a few key improvements.
Have questions or comments about the C300? Contact the author: [email protected]
