2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

The C-Class was historically Mercedes-Benz's entry-level model until the more affordable CLA debuted in 2014. Since then, the C-Class has assumed the role of a legitimate luxury vehicle, bringing the features and styling cues of the large S-Class sedan to a more palatable price point. Mercedes gave the C-Class a full redesign for 2022, ushering in new styling and the latest technology. Now, for 2023, it's bringing back the AMG performance versions of the C-Class.

Meet the new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43, a far more potent version of the baby-Benz that kicks out 402 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from just four cylinders.

Yes, you read that right. In case you haven't heard, the C-Class will no longer feature an engine with more than four cylinders, and the AMG versions are no exception. Even the upcoming C 63 will be a four-cylinder hybrid, but we don't expect to see that car until much later this year. As for the C 43, don't let the lost cylinders from the last car's V6 trouble you too much.

The new engine makes all that grunt thanks to a plethora of new, electronically controlled systems. A 48-volt mild hybrid system powers an electronically driven turbocharger. A tiny electric motor spins up the compressor before hot exhaust gases enter the turbo, and the result is better throttle response and more overall punch. The engine can also get a boost of 13 extra horsepower for short periods of time from a belt-driven starter-generator motor. That's a lot of hybrid tech, but the end result is what we all want more of: power. The 0-60 mph sprint is over in a Mercedes-touted 4.6 seconds. All that grunt is channeled through a nine-speed automatic gearbox and sent to all four wheels.

Rear-axle steering, an optional extra on non-AMG C-Classes, is standard on the C 43 — at speeds below 37 mph the rear wheels will turn as much as 2.5 degrees in the opposite direction of the fronts, but above that speed they'll turn in the same direction as the fronts. This system helps the C 43 be more nimble at low speeds and more stable at higher speeds. Adaptive suspension dampers that can firm themselves up or soften based on which drive mode you choose are also standard.

There are also a few subtle exterior changes to the C 43 that denote its extra potency. New front and rear bumpers, a quad-tailpipe exhaust, and the signature Panamericana AMG grille should help you tell it apart from the run-of-the-mill C-Class.

We've spent time in the GLA 45 AMG, which uses the same engine and makes about the same power but doesn't have the trick turbo and it's an entirely different ballgame. The C 43 is considerably smoother and offers smoother acceleration, especially at part throttle and at low engine speeds. This extra refinement will not be lost on the C-Class buyer.

Putting the pedal to the floor results in a solid shove, and the rush to redline is just as addictive and no less eye-opening than it was in the previous generation with its turbocharged V6 engine. We do wish this four-cylinder engine sounded a bit better, as well as included some of the trademark turbo whistle you get from such a heavily boosted engine, but the isolation from excessive noise is probably more in line with the character of the C-Class.

Speaking of noise, there is a lot of it coming from the tires. Our test car wore highly capable Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber but we found the constant din almost too much from a car that otherwise comes across as luxurious.

Buyers experienced with a Mercedes with an AMG badge on it will immediately be familiar with the ride of the C 43. We're not going to go so far as to call it punishing, but it is more than a little stiff, even in the car's Comfort mode. This is a carryover from the last AMG C-Class generation, a car that also struggled with ride quality on a less than perfect road. We do appreciate the ability to set the suspension independently of the C 43's other performance parameters.

That stiff ride can be forgiven if the C 43 can deliver some serious grip. In our brief time behind the wheel, we didn't have enough free space to really charge down a good road, but even at our modest pace, the C 43 felt like it had quite a bit more in the bag. The steering is a little on the light side for our tastes but it is highly accurate. It's also fast-acting without being darty so you won't find yourself chasing the C 43 around in your lane as you cover ground on a highway.

We had a chance to sample the C 43 in both wet and dry conditions and found traction from the all-wheel-drive system to be very confidence-inspiring. Torque is split between the front and rear axles with 31% going to the front wheels and 69% heading to the back. Other performance all-wheel-drive systems can vary the torque, but the fixed setting in the C 43 made it very predictable while still leaving room for a bit of fun when the conditions were right. The C 43 offers a very high-level of usable real-world performance, and then some.

The tech-laden interior in the new C-Class is great, and onto that the C 43 gets some traditional AMG touches. The steering wheel has a thick, contoured rim and four horizontal spokes covered in capacitive buttons. It looks to be a bit of an ergonomic nightmare. But the buttons, though small, are always out of the way during spirited driving, and the steering wheel is well shaped and proved easy to hold over long distances.

The steering wheel also features two dials for various performance settings as well as switching between drive modes. More settings are just about the last thing the already complex interior of the C 43 needs, but we do appreciate the amount of individual control you have and the ability to save your favorite combination. Incidentally, those settings can also be accessed through the AMG button just below the impressive touchscreen.

The amount of information on tap is intimidating with that 11.9-inch central touchscreen, combined with the narrow 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and the head-up display. It takes time to really understand not only what you're looking at but also how to configure it to your liking. It can be overwhelming at first, but the intelligence and architecture of the system make it tamable for all but the most reluctant driver.

Other AMG design cues abound. From contrasting stitching and red seat belts to copious use of faux suede, the C 43 looks just sporty enough without being too over the top. Our test car's optional AMG Performance seats were heavily bolstered and featured new cutouts, which appear to serve no other purpose than to look kind of cool and save a bit of weight in the process. Overall, this is peak modern sport sedan.