2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Boot space is 455L with the rear seats upright.

The new-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 10 airbags including a centre-front airbag
• AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection
• Surround-view cameras
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Semi-autonomous parking assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Driver attention monitoring
• Lane-keep assist (steering assist)
• Blind-spot monitoring with exit warning function
• Active bonnet
• Speed limit assist

The Driving Assistance Package Plus, standard on the C300, adds the following standard safety features:

• AEB junction assist
• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Blind-spot assist
• Lane change assist
• Lane following assist
• Evasive steering assist
• Side-impact anticipation and protection system
• Traffic sign assist

Claimed combined cycle fuel economy figures for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range are as follows:

• C200: 6.9L/100km
• C300: 7.3L/100km

Both of these models require 98 RON premium unleaded petrol and have a 66L fuel tank.

The new C-Class moves over to the latest ‘MRA’ platform, and shares a lot of similarities with the top of the Mercedes tree S-Class. Over the old car it has a new four-link front axle and five-link rear mounted to a subframe.

Passive dampers come standard, with active dampers to be made available in a package – although said package is currently not available in Australia due to chip shortages.

The same soon to arrive package adds rear-wheel steering, a neat feature which turns the back wheels the opposite way to the fronts at low speeds, and the same at speeds above 60km/h, thereby shaving 43cm from the turning circle and enhancing higher-speed stability.

The thing that really stands out on the new C-Class is the amazing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression, with the interior feeling relaxing even over some classic coarse-chip Aussie back roads. Many European luxury cars utterly fail this test, but not the new C-Class.

The electric power steering default is low-resistance but syncs to the driving mode selector alongside ESP, throttle and transmission shift points, plus the dampers where applicable. You control all these via a slick home screen menu, with button shortcuts.

Even on 19-inch wheels the ride quality felt relatively good (on roads of MB’s choosing), and we drove both damper choices since a few early-build cars with the Engineering Package have landed. Neither struck me as excessively firm.

The best part about both mild-hybrid engines is again the refinement, with the stop/start systems almost imperceptible, and the engine shutting off at high speeds (and times of low-resistance) quite frequently. Any major torque hole down low felt filled-in too.

The C200 felt sprightly enough, but stepping into the C300 certainly brought about a little greater rolling response. That said, you’re expected to pay a decent premium for it…

From a driver safety standpoint, the new C does a great job of helping you keep your eyes where they should be, with a ton of different setting and menus to cycle through on your instruments (including maps and driver-assist status guides), and the voice control system lets you handle many functions from changing the cabin temperature through to opening the sunroof.

You can find more details on all the options and inclusions across the Mercedes-Benz C-Class variants on the official website, and within the official Mercedes-Benz C-Class specifications page.

The C-Class is available in the following exterior paint colours:

• Spectral Blue metallic
• High-Tech Silver metallic
• Opalite White metallic
• Hyacinth Red metallic
• Obsidian Black metallic
• Graphite grey metallic
• Mojave Silver metallic
• Cavansite Blue metallic
• Selenite Grey metallic
• Polar White

All 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class models are covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

The prices are up, but the C-Class feels more like a baby S than ever.

In terms of interior displays, finishes, ride comfort, refinement, and subtle-yet-elegant design, it remains a class leader.

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your W205 for a W206, there isn’t a heap to disappoint you – lack of wagon and new price positioning aside.

We’re also eagerly awaiting the eventual long-range plug-in hybrid, and Mercedes-AMG C43 and C63 derivatives to drop, to fill out the range.