While most Mercedes products have become softer over time, we believe the new 2022 C-Class has improved in both sharpness and appearance. It's slightly wider and longer than before, but it also has a tapered silhouette that gives it a more mature appearance. The rear end reminds us a lot of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, and due to the hunched-down, pointed nose, we mistake the front end for the CLS four-door coupe. With intricate little accents like the flurry of chrome stars embedded in the front grill, it also looks great dressed in black. We believe it to be the most attractive C-Class to date.
The interior also receives a lot of praise. It may have a ton of screens, but even though this reduces some of its functionality and usability, the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Audi A4 seem bare and unequipped in comparison. And we adore how new technology always follows the flagship. In this instance, all the bells and whistles from the S-Class have been condensed into a smaller, less opulent package.
The 11.9-inch center screen, which is mounted in portrait mode similarly to a Tesla Model S, complements the massive 12.3-inch driver's screen and is actually more seamlessly integrated into the center console than the Tesla. Not to mention, the definition of the camera view is ludicrously sharp and clear. Even though it still has a push-out cover and is ungainly in terms of ergonomics, the center storage area now has usable interior space. Even so, we hardly ever closed the cover because nothing would fit inside.
The steering wheel is attractive to look at and to use. It has haptic touch pads for all the buttons, which operate properly but don't feel as natural as real buttons. We frequently accidentally press these buttons when driving quickly and vigorously rotating the wheel. And regrettably, many of the complaints and shortcomings that we raised with the S-Class have also crept into this model. Like the memory seating, these glossy black plastic button panels lack grooves, making them difficult to press precisely. As a result, we are unable to tell what we have pressed until it has been activated. It's a bit of a mistake because Mercedes usually gets these ergonomic quirks right. Even so, the leather is excellent and the switchgear feels extremely upscale—nothing out of the ordinary for a halo product that costs twice as much.
The C 300 4MATIC is the only specification of the C-Class that is currently offered. It uses a 48-volt mild hybrid system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to enable quick gear changes, silky smooth starts, and off-engine coasting for low power demands. With a 9-speed automatic transmission, it generates a respectable 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, launching you from 0 to 100 km/h in just six seconds.
Overall, the turbo-four is polished and smooth, but it doesn't quite feel as powerful as the output would imply. At cruising speeds, there is some turbo lag and the gearbox can be easily distracted, but when left in automatic, the gearbox typically keeps up and shifts decisively. The turbo-four does feel punchy when you step on it harder, but it's not particularly impressive. When cranked up, the engine doesn't sound all that great either; it has some rough acoustic edges and occasionally purrs when cold. We have a more entertaining time using the turbo-four engines in the more powerful BMW 330i and Alfa Romeo Giulia. Additionally, it is challenging to modulate the brakes, which leads to less-than-smooth stops. They have a small dead zone in the first 10% of the pedal stroke but are strong and nonlinear. It's noticeable enough to draw our attention away from an otherwise strong drive.
But more than just the powertrain favors a more relaxed approach. The C 300 still rides like a boat with lots of body roll and little front end grip when you push it through corners at high speed because of the softly tuned dampers and chassis. While it can easily change directions, it lacks the vigor and assurance needed when tackling a backroad. It clearly wasn't tuned for that kind of duty and tends to err on the side of comfort rather than dynamics, preferring to coddle occupants rather than apexes. On a canyon road, we would pick the other vehicles, but on a long drive or during a commute after a challenging workday, Mercedes is the only option.
Let's talk about the key fob, one of the automotive industry's most underappreciated features, before we finish this review. Many automakers don't take this accessory seriously because it only makes up a small portion of car ownership, but in our opinion, it's crucial to invest in a pricey, aesthetically pleasing key fob, particularly when it opens the door to a luxury vehicle. It's the first time you'll interact with a new purchase, so you want it to reflect the vehicle's values. Mercedes' key fob designs have consistently been among the most beautiful. The previous iterations of keys were excellent; they provided owners with exquisitely crafted objects made of metal and plastic that they could proudly carry in their pockets to show off their ownership of specific car brands. The obelisk on BMW's vehicle is shaped like a knife, and the same is true for Audi and Ferrari. Nissan? Maybe not. Look at the key fob for the R-35 GT-R, a sports car that costs $130,000 and is made of the same cheap plastic as a $20,000 Micra. How to feel good about your six figures of spending.
But let's get back to the C-Class because Mercedes appears to have borrowed a trick from Maserati by giving their key fob a metallic look that makes it feel substantial and heavy. It uses hard plastic rather than the glossy kind found in the E- and S-Class in the black areas, but this hardly takes away from the sense of occasion it conveys. We adore it. It's safe to say that the C-Class now establishes the new C-standard for compact luxury sedans when you combine its stunning good looks with an upscale interior that borrows features from the S-Class and an effective powertrain.
Specifications:
- Model: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC Sedan
- Paint Type: Black
- Base Price: $56,700
- Price as Tested: $68,750
- Wheelbase(mm): 2,865
- Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,751 / 1,890 / 1,438
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with mild hybrid system
- Horsepower: 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm
- Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2,000 - 3,200 rpm
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
- Fuel Consumption ( City / Highway ) L/100km: 9.9 / 7.1
- Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 9.6
- Tires: Continental ProContact GX SSR; 245/40R18
Tag : bmw m850i xdrive, mercedes c 300 4matic, 2023 bmw m850i xdrive convertible, where bmw x5 made, 2023 bmw m850i xdrive gran coupe, mercedes c class 4matic used, bmw m850 reviews, bmw m850i xdrive gran coupe, bmw m850i xdrive convertible, mercedes c300 4matic used, bmw m850 xdrive, bmw 8 series m850i xdrive coupe, bmw 8 series m850i xdrive, bmw m850i xdrive gran coupé, bmw m850i xdrive coupe, mercedes c300 4matic tire size, mercedes c class 4matic for sale, mercedes c300 4matic lease, bmw m850i xdrive price, mercedes benz c 300 4matic 2015, mercedes c300 4matic review, mercedes c300 4matic 2023, mercedes c300 4matic convertible, mercedes c300 4matic for sale near me, mercedes c300 4matic specs, bmw xdrive m850i, mercedes c300 4matic horsepower, mercedes c300 4matic reviews, mercedes benz c 300 4matic, mercedes benz c300 4matic price, mercedes c300 4matic coupe, mercedes c class 4matic, xdrive m850i, benz c 300 4matic, bmw m850i xdrive for sale, mercedes c300 4matic battery, mercedes c300 4matic sedan, mercedes c300 4matic amg, bmw m850i xdrive 2023, bmw m850i price used, 4matic c300 mercedes, mercedes c300 4matic sport, mercedes c300 4matic oil type, how much is mercedes benz c300 4matic, mercedes benz c class 4matic for sale, 2008 mercedes c300 4matic oil type, 2015 mercedes c300 4matic oil type, bmw m850i vs m8, 2013 mercedes c300 4matic oil type, mercedes c300 4matic interior, are mercedes c300 expensive to maintain, how often oil change mercedes c300, bmw 8 series m850i xdrive gran coupe, m850i xdrive price, mercedes c300 4matic engine, 2009 mercedes c300 4matic engine, how many bmw 850i were made, bmw 8 series m850i xdrive at coupe, does c300 have amg, mercedes c300 4matic reliability, bmw m850i xdrive convertible price in india, bmw 8 series m850i xdrive 4.4 v8 biturbo, does bmw xdrive work in snow, bmw m850i xdrive specs, bmw m850i xdrive cabriolet, bmw m850i xdrive pris, bmw m850i vs m8 competition, bmw m850i xdrive coupe price, how to start mercedes c300, bmw m850i vs, bmw m850i xdrive price in india, m850i xdrive coupe review, bmw m850i fuel consumption, bmw m850i xdrive coupe price in qatar, bmw m850i xdrive 2023, bmw m850i xdrive preis, bmw m850i xdrive precio, bmw m850i xdrive coupe first edition, how often does bmw x5 need service, bmw m850i xdrive 2023, bmw m850i xdrive gran coupé price, is the mercedes c300 a reliable car, m850i xdrive specs, are mercedes benz c300 reliable, how much bmw m8 cost, mercedes 4matic explained, bmw 8 series m850i xdrive convertible, 2023 bmw m850i xdrive specs, bmw m850i xdrive review, bmw m850i xdrive preço, bmw m850i xdrive coupe 2023, bmw m850i xdrive edition golden thunder, bmw m850i xdrive blocket, bmw m850i xdrive test, bmw m850i xdrive gran coupe for sale, how often bmw maintenance, bmw m850i xdrive convertible for sale, bmw i vs xdrive, 2023 bmw m850i xdrive for sale, mercedes 4matic history,