Used Mercedes C-Class 2021-present review

When it comes to an upmarket image, few cars have the added sparkle that the three-pointed star conveys. And if you're after an executive car to impress the neighbours, the Mercedes C-Class has always had a certain cachet.

The only problem for the C-Class has always been the stiff competition it faces in the executive car class from the peerless Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series.

Engines & Performance: To combat that, there's a good range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from in this 2021-onwards car. Things kick off with an entry-level 201bhp C200 petrol, with a more powerful C300 following. The AMG C43 performance car version is for thrill-seekers and covers the 0 to 60mph sprint in just 4.6sec. For the diesels, the C220d starts the range and if more power and speed are required the 262bhp C300d provides it. There's also a very enticing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) C300e.

Ride & Handling: On the road, all the engines in the C-Class range featuring electrical assistance for extra shove at low speeds. You have to work the entry-level 201bhp C200 petrol quite hard, mind you, although the C300 is better, feeling punchier.

The diesel C220d has more punch than the C200 petrol too. It's as quick as the 320d BMW 3 Series. The only diesel C-Class faster is the 262bhp C300d, which can see off the 0-62mph sprint in 5.7sec.

Then there's the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) C300e. It can travel 30 miles further on electric power than the rival BMW 330e. When you need to use the C300e's full 308bhp potential, the acceleration is very impressive and the switching between the electric and conventional power sources is very smooth.

Meanwhile, the C-Class’s dynamic behaviour and ride comfort are a step up from the older variants, even if it’s not quite as sharp to drive as its two major rivals. The PHEV C300e gets rear air suspension as standard. It’s there to help control the extra weight of the battery, and it does a very good job of keeping the car on an even keel over dips and crests. Indeed, there's very little difference in the way the C300e and non-plug-in variants ride.

Where it disappoints is in refinement, with too much road noise and, most noticeably in the diesel variants, too much engine noise making its way back into the interior.

Interior & Practicality: There are not many physical buttons on the dashboard (much like in the Volvo S60) but at least the touch-sensitive climate controls are constantly displayed on the lower section of the infotainment display, rather than hidden in a menu. They’re not as easy to use as the physical controls in the Audi A4 though.

Instead of analogue dials, the C-Class has a crystal-clear 12.3in digital display that can show trip and media information, as well as a small map. We prefer Audi’s Virtual Cockpit because it's easier to navigate your way around the various menus, plus the physical controls on the A4's steering wheel are easier to use than the touch-sensitive ones on the C-Class.

The C-Class interior is dominated by digital displays. Along with the driver’s display, there’s a large portrait-oriented 11.9in central infotainment screen that can be operated by touch, voice or via the touch-sensitive controls on the left-hand spoke of the steering wheel.

The central touchscreen responds quickly to inputs and has super-sharp graphics, although we’d prefer that Mercedes had kept the physical controller of previous versions because it was less distracting to use on the move.

Much like the larger and more expensive S-Class, the C-Class has a very attractive-looking interior. However, once you take a closer look at the materials used, you can tell where the cost-cutting has been made. The Audi A4 certainly has the edge of this Mercedes when it comes to the quality of materials used.

Still, there should be no complaints from anyone up front because there is plenty of space, lots of storage areas and tons of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel to find a comfortable position. Rear leg room is decent too and even the tallest of folks shouldn't find their heads brushing the ceiling - even with a panoramic glass roof - due to the high roofline of the C-Class.

You get more total boot space in the C-Class than the Jaguar XE and it's a match for the Audi A4 but there’s more room in the BMW 3 Series and the Tesla Model 3 (which has a front boot as well as rear one).

Trims & Equipment: Even entry-level AMG line trim comes with sporty exterior and interior styling, along with a standard 12.3in digital driver display and an 11.9in portrait-oriented touchscreen. Every C-Class gets leather trim and heated front seats.

Next-up AMG line Premium benefits from keyless entry and go, augmented reality navigation, and electrically adjustable front seats with three-position memory. The range-topping AMG line Premium Plus adds three-zone climate control, a panoramic glass sunroof and the excellent Burmester sound system.

Those opting for the beefy AMG models also get a bespoke trim for their fire-breathing monsters. The C43 comes with a bespoke AMG bodykit, brake calipers and details, Artico leather upholstery and red seat belts.

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Prices for a 2021/'22 Mercedes C-Class start at around £25,000 at present, which is a useful saving on the price of a new one. You'll need a budget of at least £30,000 in most cases to afford a 2023 model, rising to around £35,000 for a nearly new '24 example. No matter the year, a PHEV 300e will set you back upwards of £30,000.

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MPG: The two diesel C-Classes manage to beat the equivalent engines in the A4 and 3 Series for fuel economy, with the C220d edging over 60mpg and the C300d getting high 50s. The petrol offers a similar economy to the rivals, but none can match the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) C300e. Its 25.4kWh battery pack takes two hours to charge using a dedicated home charger. UK cars have a slower Type 2 plug and charge at a maximum of 11kW, whereas other markets get rapid charge capability using a CCS plug.

Road tax (VED): Cars registered after 1 April 2017 will pay a flat rate in road tax, currently £180 per year and £170 per year for the hybrids. Be warned, though, if your C-Class cost over £40,000 new, it will then attract a supplementary luxury car tax, payable from years two to six and currently £410 per year.

Servicing costs: Servicing costs for the C-Class can be expensive, as can replacement parts, but you are able to split them into monthly payments to soften the overall costs. Two services for a C-Class that's less than 12 months old would be £816, while anything older is £912. For comparison purposes, the same number of services for an Audi A4 would be £468 for one with an engine of less than 2.0-litres, or £594 if it happens to have something bigger.

Engine: We'd opt for the excellent PHEV version, the C300e, because it combines a smooth and refined drive with the potential to reduce your fuel bills.

Specification: We reckon the small jump up to AMG line Premium is worth it as you benefit from keyless entry and go, augmented reality navigation, and electrically adjustable front seats with three-position memory.

Our favourite Mercedes C-Class: C300e AMG line Premium

The Audi A4 is more practical than the C-Class, with more space inside and a larger boot. It’s more refined, too, with a number of highly efficient and very smooth engines. It’s also better to drive, thanks to its sharper steering and more eager handling. The interior has always impressed us for its relative simplicity yet high-quality feel and its infotainment system, operated by a rotary-style controller, is clear and intuitive to use.

The BMW 3 Series has been the class leader for so many years that it’s become the very definition of the compact executive car. It is, to most degrees, still the class leader in this segment, edging ahead of even the brilliant A4. Its success is centred on its entertaining rear-wheel-drive handling, an effortlessly upmarket feel and the excellent build quality. Here is a premium car that will more than satisfy the demands of the high-mileage executive plodding the UK’s byways, a family in need of decent space and reasonable running costs, as well as the enthusiastic motorist wanting something fun to drive.

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