The all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 is a departure from any earlier C-Class. No extra is it the entry-level sedan that it as soon as was. Now, it’s imbued with a bevy of superior know-how, extra space, and a way more streamlined lineup.

Gone are the trio of engine choices supplied on the earlier era in lieu of a extra highly effective model of the two.0-liter mild-hybrid four-cylinder that served as the bottom engine final 12 months.

Learn Extra: Mercedes-Benz CLA Facelift Spied In Sedan And Capturing Brake Kind

The wheelbase has been stretched by about an inch and the automotive is 2.5-inches longer general. Over the course of every week with the C 300, we discovered that these adjustments make it higher in individual than on paper.

The Enjoyable-Sized S-Class

Fast Information › › ›

From the surface, the C 300 very clearly shares a few of its most necessary design cues with its bigger S-Class sibling. The headlight and entrance fascia therapy are practically equivalent. The decrease grille sections are related and whereas the C 300 differentiates itself with outstanding energy bulges within the hood, it shares the identical sharp creases the place the hood blends down towards the fender. The belt traces and tail lights proceed to share DNA a lot in order that the C 300 actually is nearer to the S-Class by way of design than ever earlier than.

The 19-inch five-spoke wheels on our take a look at automotive present a extra athletic look than most will discover on the S-Class however that’s good as a result of the C 300 is supposed to really feel extra agile each by exterior design and from behind the wheel. Not like the model’s new all-electric EQS, the C 300 options what Mercedes calls a ‘cab-backward’ design with an extended hood and a brief rear trunk area. Whereas our automotive was not outfitted with it, an AMG package deal provides a rear diffuser, efficiency brakes, and a sports activities suspension together with different delicate visible adjustments to the outside.

A Posh Place

Equally to the outside of the C 300’s design, the inside borrows closely from the flagship within the household. A brand new progressive inside includes a outstanding sprint with a minimum of six completely different patterns obtainable. Including to which might be 11 completely different upholstery selections that span from easy black MB-Tex (the model’s identify for fake leather-based) to “Energy Pink/Black” leather-based.

As has been the case for a while now, seating controls are discovered on the door panel and so they work effectively. Regardless of my barely above-average peak (6’6), I discovered it pretty straightforward to get comfy even though the highest of my hair was simply barely grazing the headliner. Manually-adjustable headrests for the entrance seats performed a job there. If we may change the entrance seats in any respect we’d set them into the automotive slightly decrease.

The rear seats aren’t as comfy for an individual of my dimension however average-sized adults can survive again there for many journeys with out fuss. We actually wouldn’t advocate attempting to suit 5 adults on this automotive although. The ‘cab-backward’ design seems good and positive, there’s extra space than within the earlier era, however not by a lot.

Nonetheless, the overarching theme of the C 300s inside is one in every of honest luxurious and high quality. The switchgear feels incredible in on a regular basis use from the local weather vents that really feel cosy however placeable to the paddle shifters that supply a satisfying click on when pulled. It’s not all excellent, although. The piano black plastics seize and maintain onto fingerprints and smudges and the touch-capacitive buttons and sliders are an entire completely different subject. Let’s get into that.

Expertise Hits And Misses

Staring again on the occupants of the C 300 are two screens. Instantly forward of the driving force is a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. It’s shiny, rectangular, and simple to grasp in apply. The central infotainment display could be very barely angled in direction of the driving force however might be seen and manipulated by the passenger with ease. It additionally seems nice and affords an virtually gorgeous array of options and choices. Sadly, manipulating the system isn’t practically as simple because it may very well be.

Bodily touches to the display obtain quickish responses however the menu system itself is a bit convoluted and arduous to observe. Moreover, the capacitive buttons discovered just under the infotainment display and on the steering wheel are irritating to make use of in apply. Typically they don’t react in any respect whereas at different occasions the system senses the contact and appears to overreact.

Fortunately, Mercedes has one of many highest voice command techniques within the enterprise. Each side of it that we examined labored the primary time with out the necessity for added makes an attempt. That doesn’t imply that it was excellent all week. Each on occasion it could ask for us to repeat phrases however general we discovered it simpler to make use of than the contact interface itself. It’s particularly wonderful at offering turn-by-turn navigation instructions partially because of the augmented actuality utilized to the system.

As you method turns or locations the place you would possibly want to alter lanes the system will present the true street forward on the principle infotainment system with floating arrows that time within the appropriate path.

The one factor we’d change is that we’d put that within the heads-up show or restrict the AR part to half of the infotainment system versus the entire thing. That means you possibly can see the overhead view of the flip along with the AR model. It also needs to be famous that each on occasion the nav system would make errors just like the time that it tried to inform us to drive on a closed bike path to get to our vacation spot.

The premium Burmester sound system within the C 300 was high-quality however we discovered that it actually struggled with bass-heavy music. The remainder of the vary was nice although and the system permits for lots of adjustment.

The C 300’s automated parking function was spectacular. As soon as activated the automotive will mechanically scan the roadside for a parking area. When it’s discovered an area, the interface will ask the driving force to interact the precise parking motion after which to modulate the brake as needed. In our testing, it appeared that it struggled to get near the curb if no parking traces had been current.

It will nonetheless make it into an area however it could go away 18 or extra inches generally between the automotive and the curb. If traces had been current it was extremely spectacular. Not solely would it not put the automotive about 8 inches from the curb however it could truly pull the automotive ahead within the area to be sure that it’s centered wherever attainable.

A New C-Class Household Tree

Breaking away from the custom of its previous, Mercedes sells the brand new C 300 in three completely different distinct trims after which permits patrons so as to add further content material in packages or individually. The entire trio of trims might be had in rear- or all-wheel drive (4Matic).

The lineup begins out with the Premium which incorporates normal tools like 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, an 11.9-inch infotainment system, heated entrance seats, faux-leather upholstery, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, an built-in WiFi hotspot, and ambient inside lighting.

Each C 300 can be outfitted with emergency cease help, adaptive excessive beam help, blind-spot monitoring, ahead collision mitigation, and a safe-exit system. That’s a whole lot of tools for the C 300’s $43,550 beginning MSRP.

The Unique trim stage, priced at $45,800, provides the Burmester audio system, a wi-fi charging pad, an automatic parking system, a 360-degree digicam, and streaming music providers.

The highest trim is appropriately named Pinnacle and it has built-in augmented actuality navigation and a heads-up show. The highest two trims can add a Driver Help package deal that features adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, evasive steering help, blind-spot intervention, and extra. It begins at $47,500.

Buyers can additional add particular person options like leather-based upholstery, ventilated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, up to date headlights, and adaptive headlights.

Gas Financial system

In keeping with the EPA, the 2022 C 300 Sedan can stand up to 25 mpg within the metropolis and 35 on the freeway. That leads to a mixed rating of 29. The 4Matic model sees these figures drop to 23, 33, and 27 respectively. In our week’s price of combined driving, we ended up with an noticed 27.7 mpg mixed. That’s fairly good for this class and simply beats out opponents just like the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

When Did Regular Automobiles Get This Fast?

Every day driving the C 300 for every week was an actual pleasure. It’s a clean and cozy performer in on a regular basis site visitors. Each the accelerator and the brake take a few days to actually grasp. As soon as one is comfy with them it’s straightforward to regulate velocity and braking with a deft contact.

We’re additionally very impressed by how effectively the automotive dealt with heavy rainfall. Regardless of severe downpours, it by no means felt prefer it was dropping traction or poise. We’ll additionally take a second to say that the automated wipers are distinctive. Additionally they required zero interplay from us to do their job.

How would this small sedan fare when issues received quick? Whereas 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 pound-feet (399 Nm) of torque won’t sound like a lot it’s greater than potent sufficient for the C 300. From a useless cease, it’ll rip from 0-60 in simply 5.3 seconds. It will be even sooner if the engine didn’t must spin up the turbo earlier than actual energy kicks in.

Regardless of that, the mild-hybrid helps out by having the ability to add as much as 20 horsepower in brief bursts. As soon as it’s as much as freeway speeds the C-Class is an excellent cruiser and doesn’t run out of oomph both. Triple-digit speeds really feel significantly slower because of rock-solid development and a hushed cabin.

One noise that we’re glad about listening to within the C 300 is the engine that has a stunning rasp above 4,000 rpm. Round corners, the C 300 is nimble and confidence-inspiring. High and low-speed corners are managed with aplomb and accuracy. The wheel and pedals present verbose suggestions about what’s occurring on the tires. In the end we discovered the driving expertise within the C 300 to be very spectacular.

Elevating The Bar

Mercedes is bringing the C 300 to market in opposition to a bevy of challengers. The BMW 4-Collection Gran Coupe and the Audi A5 Sportback are apparent rivals however they’re not alone. The Genesis G70 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia additionally share this area. In that expanded group, the C 300 feels essentially the most luxurious to us. It’s not pretty much as good of a price because the G70 and it’s not as sharp of a efficiency sedan as a few of the others.

Total although we expect the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 is an extremely competent package deal of well-rounded options. It’s fast, it’s composed, it’s stuffed with high-end luxurious remedies and know-how, and it’s competitively priced. We’re desirous to see how the C43 and C63 AMG variants increase the bar even additional.