Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review: To Buy or not to Buy

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The Mercedes-Benz has brought the new Mercedes C-Class which we feel is so much more than just a Baby S. Let's evaluate the car and review it on all parameters and whether or not to go for it.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been called by many names, from the Baby Benz to now getting the tag of Baby S tag, but the Benz C-Class has come a long way over the gone five-generations. It’s no longer a baby to anyone and well, that space has now been taken by A-Class. But there still is the question of being an updated model to S-Class. Baby S, eh. The market speaks for itself, right? Well, ask me and I will say, no. I mean, you have to step into this beauty, and then you will understand that the C-Class is a whole new thing to the S-Class.

The layout of the interior dashboard is almost similar to the S-Class and no doubt we have loved this same concept in the S-class models. It comes paired with the floating screen for the digital cockpit and a vertically-oriented tablet-style infotainment system. But wait, the menu system, the operating systems, damn, even the location and functioning of the hard buttons, everything is exactly similar to S-Class. And there is more to it. The quality, the seat adjusters on the door have a knurled metal finish, and even the end of the indicator stalks has the same knurled finish.

The air-con vents take resemblance to metal and operate with an exquisitely satisfying click-clack. The steering wheel sports the touch-sensitive controls, and moreover the 4-spoke AMG steering wheel of the C300d kind of takes me back and I can draw parallels to the first lot of CBU S-Classes that also sported the AMG Line pack. The sound systems are Burmester’s with mood lighting in plenty, even included in the air-con vents themselves. The sunroof has been given a similar touch to that of the S. And trust me, the window switches have got stupendously amazing quality. I am being serious here, there is no cheap plastic inside. The key too has been borrowed from the S. If I was given the liberty to pinpoint one thing, I’d point out the steering wheel paddle shifters as they are plastic.

Things are actually scaled-down over the S-Class as the C is actually two sizes smaller, except for the fact that the digital cockpit is the same 12.3 inches. Infotainment systems have been given a shorter design with 11.9 inches while as S-Class had a 12.8 inches system, which, I feel is not that big a margin. But consider the fact that the C-Class is smaller and therefore the screens capture all the space on the dashboard and even then, being feature-loaded. The car comes with wireless CarPlay, integrated navigation, twin sunroofs, electric steering wheel reach-and-rake adjustment and above all these cars are so well connected. There is biometric authentication with the latest NTG-7 protocol, Mercedes Me suite, a connected car tech that helps you to remotely access your car and use features like- Starting and cooling the car, geo-fencing, keeping a watch and seeing where the driver has taken it for a joy ride and even you can check the fuel-efficiency.

A command, ‘Hey Mercedes’, can even show you the directions towards the best chai-point around your place. And add the Mercedes Social Network systems where-in other cars on the road can relay the information like traffic incidents, potholes, speed breakers and more, directly to the cloud after which the information is relayed back to the cars in the vicinity to warn them. Isn’t that amazing? The debut of this tech was done in S-Class and now C joins the party.

The only thing missing though is the C-Class does not get cooled seats. But as far as cabin ambience goes, there is no doubt the C-class actually tops the class. The fact is, you won’t even care how the C-Class drives, that is how much the cabin makes you fall in love with it. Not to doubt, C is even better to drive.
On the road with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The sixth-generation C-Class has adapted the earlier W205’s Modular Rear Architecture and adds 65mm over the total length (4751mm), 13mm added to width (1820mm), and a wheelbase of 2856mm. The addition of wheelbase stretch has moreover increased the rear knee space by around 21mm, and the track has also been given a wider look getting 19mm up front totalling 1583mm and at the rear, the increment is 48mm totalling up to 1594mm making a bit more space for elbow and shoulder which is 22mm and 13mm respectively. This has eventually made the C-class, the largest car in this class, well, look at it this way, the car is 63mm longer and 10mm wider than the A-class Limousine. Enjoy your thoughts.

the suspension system has been taken and majorly inspired from the W205 with double wishbones up front and the rear setup includes an independent multi-link but the spring, damper and anti-roll bar setting is different. The focus is majorly on comfort and its completely obvious. As soon as you will hit the road you’ll get the gist of it. Earlier, the models that came out in the C-Class segment were stiff, but the new C-Class takes all that out and gives you the best riding experience ever.

Mild-hybrid powertrains

This new C-Class will be the first model line in the Indian portfolio to get only electrified powertrains. This doesn’t mean EVs, but both the diesel and one petrol get the 48-volt tech that comes mated with the Integrated Starter Generation (ISG). For speed enthusiasts, the best thing is the 20bhp jump in power along with a 200Nm jump in torque, add on to the C220d’s 197bhp and 440Nm of torque. It takes only 7.3 seconds to reach 100kmph and then too delivers an amazing fuel efficiency- up to 23kmpl as tested by ARAI makes it the most efficient Mercedes in India sold in India.

Verdict:

All things considered, this car is the best buy in the luxury segment and as soon as the prices will be out we will get to evaluate this car from that perspective as well. Till then, I say, keep a closer look and from my side it’s a yes.

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