2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe Road Test and Review

2017 Mercedes Benz C300 coupe on road ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe, as its name suggests, is derived from the C-Class sedan. The 2015 model year saw an all-new generation of the C-Class, which has been universally well received, so this car already starts with an advantage.

Mercedes-Benz has made C-based coupe versions before, but they have often arrived late in a generation’s life cycle and were never really as sporty as BMW’s equivalents. Things are different now.

A stiffer body than the previous generation allows for finer tuning of the suspension and the car rides 0.6 inches lower than the sedan. This model is also lighter than before, with more aluminum being used, such as in the hood, trunk lid and fenders. It’s factors like these that make the C300 Coupe such a credible contender.

Pricing

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe is available now, starting at $43,575. For that money, standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, LED lighting at both ends, push-button start, panoramic sunroof, memory settings for the driver’s seat, driving mode selector, 7-inch infotainment display, and some advanced safety features (see the Safety section).

A rearview camera would have been a welcome inclusion, but that’s on the options list, joined by a head-up display, leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, semi-automated parking, 590-watt/13-speaker surround-sound system, and many other luxuries.

Photo by Colin Ryan

Design

Mercedes-Benz is refining and evolving its design approach. The company says it has taken the best elements from the sedan and added more to give the coupe its own character. Tastes will vary, but anyone who has been underwhelmed by recent M-B offerings should find a lot to like about the C300 Coupe’s styling. Its length is accentuated by a character line that runs along the flank and stays high right up to the taillights. The tail itself is also proportioned elegantly.

The interior is similarly classy, where ease of use meets quality and taste.

Photo by Colin Ryan

Comfort and Cargo

One thing we noticed immediately is that the center console is a tad wide, so the front passenger footwells seem narrow. Then again, it underlines this coupe’s nature, which is definitely on the sporty side. The front seats are comfortable, well-shaped and supportive, with plenty of scope for adjustment. The extendable under-thigh support is perfect for those with long legs.

Rear passenger space is naturally not that generous in a compact coupe, but an adult male of average size could tolerate it for a short trip as long as there isn’t anyone bigger up front. The trunk has 10.5 cubic feet of space, good enough for a couple of golf bags or a week’s groceries for two. The rear seats can split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion for some cargo-carrying flexibility.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Features and Controls

Rear-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive (Mercedes-Benz calls this system 4Matic) is optional. In either case, the rear wheels are slightly wider than the fronts (8.5 inches; 7.5 inches up front) which means more rubber applying power to the road.

Dynamic Select is the official name for selecting between various driving modes, from Eco to Sport Plus. These modes control responses of the throttle, transmission, steering and the air suspension (if fitted). As well the other settings, heating functions like the rear window and front seats (if specced) are also backed off a little in Eco mode.

Photo by Colin Ryan

Safety

Standard safety features include several airbags, although rear side airbags are optional. The driver attention assist function, a Mercedes-Benz innovation, helps to combat distraction and drowsiness.

Collision Prevention Assist Plus will bring the car to a full stop at speeds of up to 124 mph (if the driver doesn’t act on any of the system’s audible warnings), and can brake at speeds of up to 31 mph if there’s a stationary vehicle up ahead. Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system are all on the options list.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Engines and Fuel Economy

Under that aluminum hood is a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making a useful 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This is linked to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel consumption in rear-drive models is quoted at 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. When all-wheel drive is in the mix, those figures adjust to 23/29/25 mpg. A fuel-conserving engine start/stop feature is standard.

Photo by Colin Ryan

Performance

There’s a fine balance and a reassuring poise to the C300 Coupe. Even the steering (which has been revised from the C-Class sedan’s setup) has a fast yet substantial feel to it.

Maximum torque comes in strong at low engine speeds but keeps punching until 4000 rpm. This makes overtaking easy, while accelerating is plenty of fun. It feels faster than 5.9 seconds in the sprint from standstill to 60 mph, yet it doesn't it sound like a typical turbo four. But don’t get the idea that this is a noisy cabin; it’s super-tranquil until the engine gets exercised.

Photo by Colin Ryan

Finer Touches

As part of the optional Sport package, the C300 Coupe receives one of the prettiest grilles out there. It’s a diamond mesh pattern with chrome at each little intersection. Other features in this bundle include AMG design 18-inch alloy wheels, sportier pedals and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. No other car in this class offers an air suspension. If the C-Class sedan is already like the super-luxurious S-Class only smaller, then the C300 Coupe is much like the S-Class Coupe in this regard. By using the Dynamic Select mode, the driver can scroll through settings that range from comfort to track-ready firmness. Being able to change the character of the suspension makes this a machine that can be enjoyed in a broad range of situations.

Photo by Colin Ryan

Final Thoughts

The automatic “valet” that hands front occupants their seat belts is a nice touch. The company places the audio system’s subwoofer on the other side of the front passenger footwell, which brings a richness to the sound. The optional air suspension is only about $1,200 and worth having because of the superior feel it adds to the ride quality. Some other options, while undeniably useful, can push up the final price considerably. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both ways of bringing more smartphone functions into the car) are available later in 2016.

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe is great to look at, great to drive and well stocked with standard equipment. When the AMG version comes along, it has some superb “bones” on which to build.

Photo by Colin Ryan