2017 Mercedes-Benz C-class Road Test and Review

It doesn’t get any more competitive than the small luxury sedan segment. It’s cut throat. Bloody. No holds barred as Vince McMahon would say. It’s also the stomping grounds of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, where it competes very successfully against the BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS, Audi A4, Cadillac ATS, Jaguar XE and the new Alfa Romeo Giulia.

Despite that long list of desirable rivals, the new C-Class sedan is a favorite and consistently one of the best-selling vehicles in its class. Built in Germany, it slots between the smaller CLA sedan and the larger E-Class in Mercedes extensive lineup.

Now in its fourth-generation, the luxurious 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan has advanced over the years, gaining size and style as well as optional all-wheel drive and a long list of safety-related technology. It has also gained a well-earned reputation for being fun to drive. 

Lets take a closer look at the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan.

Four trim levels are available on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, the C300, C350e Plug-in Hybrid, AMG C43 and AMG C63 and each gets its own distinct powertrain, but all have automatic transmissions.

The C300 is by far the most popular and the least expensive. It’s powered by a 241-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and it is rear-wheel drive. Prices start at $40,425, including $925 for destination and handling. Mercedes offers its 4Matic all-wheel drive system for an additional $2,000.

One notch up in price and performance is the rear-wheel drive C350e Plug-in Hybrid, which combines a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor and a small Lithium-ion battery pack. The result is a combined 275 hp, enough for a 0-60 mph sprint of just 5.8 seconds. That’s a bit quicker than the C300. As expected, the C350e is also the mileage king of the group and it can travel about 20 miles on battery power alone. Prices start at $46,975.

AMG is Mercedes’ in-house tuner or hot rod shop, like BMW’s M division, known for cars like the M3 and M5. Since the 1970s, AMG’s engineers have been rejiggering Mercedes mainstream models into some of the fastest cars on the road, adding sport-tuned suspensions, bigger brakes and of course horsepower.

There are three all-wheel drive AMG versions of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan. The most affordable is the AMG C43, which is a new model for 2017. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 pumping out 362 hp and is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Prices start at $52,925.

Next up is the AMG C63, which gets a 469-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. It’s the only V8 in its class, which includes such luminaries as the BMW M3 and Cadillac CTS-V, and it’s one of the best sounding engines on the planet. Mercedes says this beast can blast to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. This model costs $66,125.

And then there’s the big dog, the AMG C63 S like our test vehicle. For this model, AMG’s artisans crank up the V8’s power to 503 hp, which makes it the most powerful car in the segment. It’s also one of the most expensive, costing $73,725.

Our AMG C63 S test car was simply a blast to drive. You can’t help but smile when you drive this car. Its V8 rumble is musical theater, and its eyelid-pealing acceleration makes a run to the ATM an event. Thanks to a well-tuned sport suspension and massively wide 19-inch tires it also handles extremely well, but it’s a pleasant car to drive every day. It’s refined and it doesn’t beat you up.

The C300 model is a luxury car first and a sports sedan second. It’s compliant, comfortable and quiet, but it feels sporty and athletic around town. With its standard 17-inch wheels and tires, its handling is more than enough for most buyers, and its turbocharged 2.0-liter packs enough punch if you’re generous with the throttle.

Mercedes Dynamic Select System allows you to tweak the car’s personality and performance with the flip of a switch. There are four modes, Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+, each modifying the sedan’s throttle response, steering effort, and the transmission’s shift points. Sport mode certainly makes it a more engaging car to drive.

For a while there, Mercedes sedans got boxy and blocky. They remained popular, but for many, the romance and elegance of the brand’s designs had slipped away. Well, Mercedes has righted that ship. Today the brand’s sedans are taut, curvaceous and youthful. Sexy even.

Although there’s a strong family resemblance between the new C-Class sedan and the larger E-Class and S-Class, if you look more closely the smaller C-Class stands out with more aggressive lines, sculpted sides and a sportier low-slung silhouette.

But it’s the details that set it apart. Its intricate grille and uniquely-shaped taillights add visual width while its oversized dual exhaust pipes add attitude. They’re just a few examples of Mercedes’ stylists sweating each element of the design.

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan seats five comfortably. This is not a huge car, but it has plenty of rear seat legroom. Rear passengers can spread out and enjoy the rear air conditioning vents and adjustable headrests. Onboard Wifi is available, although it’s standard on the Audi and the Cadillac.

Younger families will appreciate the easy to reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and three easily accessed upper-tether anchors. And the C-Class earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and an overall rating of 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Overall, fuel economy is good for this class. The C350e Plug-In Hybrid is the fuel sipper of the range, rated 45 MPGe city and 61 MPGe highway. If you drive less than 20 miles a day and keep the batteries charged you may never buy gas again. The C300 is rated 24-mpg city and 34-mpg highway. The more powerful AMG C43 is rated 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway and the AMG C63 models are rated 18-mpg city and 24-mpg highway. I averaged 19 mpg during a week of mixed driving.

Every C300 comes standard with valuable active safety systems including Mercedes Collision Prevention Assist Plus which not only warns if a vehicle is in your path, should it determine an imminent frontal collision, it will automatically begin braking from speeds up to 65 mph. In such an event another standard system called PreSafe will also take action, tightening the front seatbelts, adjusting the seats, closing the windows and sunroof to better prepare the car and its occupants for impact. Pre-Safe Plus, which protects in rear collisions, is optional.

Other systems are optional, such as adaptive cruise control (which can bring your car to a complete stop), lane departure warning, lane keep assist, Cross-Traffic Assist (which warns you if a vehicle is dangerously approaching from either side) and Blind Spot Assist. A surround view monitor that gives you a 360-degree view around the vehicle is also offered, as is Active Parking Assist, which will essentially parallel park the car for you.

Open the door and you’re met with one of the most beautiful interiors in the class. On the inside, this small sedan looks like an auto show concept car with a mix of dynamic design, unusual shapes, and rich materials. The speaker covers are works of art and the analog clock is a wonderful touch of tradition. Build quality is high. Everything feels as good as it looks.

A 7-inch infotainment screen is standard. If you can step up to the large 8.3-inch screen like the one in our test vehicle, you’ll appreciate its larger size over time and it’ll keep the interior from feeling dated down the road.

Control placement is excellent, visibility is good, and the outside mirrors are nicely oversized. The heated and cooled front seats in our test vehicle were extremely comfortable. The driver’s seat is also height adjustable for shorter drivers. In combination with the tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, it’s easy to find the perfect driving position.

The 2017 C-Class sedan offers 12.6-cubic-feet of trunk space, which is about average for the class. If more is needed, every C-Class comes standard with a 40/20/40 split fold-down rear seats, which easily folded flat for your larger items. The trunks of the BMW and the Audi are about the same size, but the Jaguar XE offers more cargo space.

Storage inside the Mercedes’ interior is sufficient and well thought out. The center console bin is large enough and felt lined and the sizable door pockets have slots for water bottles.

The two front seat cupholders are not huge, but they’re well placed so tall drinks don’t interfere with any of the switchgear and they accommodate cups with handles.

Although some features and safety technology that are standard on other cars at this price point are extra-cost options on the Mercedes, the C-Class makes up for that with a unique combination of luxury, performance and artistic aesthetics.

The C-Class performs well, it’s extremely comfortable and fun to drive. It’s also beautifully appointed, with an interior that will ignite your senses.

If you’re looking for a sporty small luxury sedan, the Mercedes C-Class is a very desirable overall choice.