Mercedes-Benz C-Class review

With a great choice of engines, trims and a range of body styles, there’s a Mercedes-Benz C Class to suit every need. It's a luxurious car that promises excellent comfort and plenty of equipment.

The C-Class received thousands of updates in 2018, including engine upgrades and the option of a digital speedometer. The exterior design remained pretty much the same which is good news as it looks great.

Buying a used C-Class means you can own a luxurious Mercedes-Benz at prices that make it excellent value, especially when compared with new prices of less prestigious rivals.

The C-Class interior features high-quality materials, sumptuous upholstery and modern technology giving it a premium look and feel.

The standard equipment is fine even on the basic S trim, but it’s worth moving up to the SE Executive for the reverse camera. The Sport and AMG-Line models add 18-inch alloy wheels and aluminium interior trim.

The C-Class saloon has 480 litres of luggage space, which is big enough for several large suitcases. The estate has a little more at 490 which increases to 1,510 litres if you fold the seats down. That’s big enough to transport a bicycle and is more than both its rivals, the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring. It’s worth noting that the boot space of the hybrid model drops to 335 litres to accommodate a battery.

As most new buyers add options, you should be able to find a C-Class with your ideal interior spec, whether that’s leather seats, a sunroof or a premium sound system.

The C-Class is a fantastic long-distance cruiser. The vast majority of C-Class models have an automatic gearbox which makes driving in commuter traffic much less of a chore.

There are lots of engines to choose from and they all provide a great drive. The C220d is the best diesel option with its higher power and superb cruising ability. You can also go green with one of the hybrid models. Some engines did change with the 2018 upgrade and Mercedes-Benz’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology was introduced on certain models. This provides better acceleration and more fuel-efficient motorway cruising.
The AMG models, the C63 and the C43 offer real performance for those who want it.

Prices are generally marginally less than rivals like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, while insurance and road tax are similar.

A full service is required every 15,500 miles and maintenance costs are generally much lower than the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, although components such as brakes, exhausts and electrical items can be more expensive.

The diesel engines provide great economy with fuel consumption figures as high as 70 mpg.

When it comes to reliability, the C-Class generally does well. There have been some electrical problems but these are typical for all cars and they should have been dealt with during dealer servicing. Just make sure your potential purchase is up-to-date on safety recall campaigns.
Euro NCAP has given the 2014 C-Class a full five stars in its safety review. All models come with essential safety features while some also have Distronic active cruise control and fatigue detection, which is very useful for those who spend lots of time on the motorway.