2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

How does the C-Class drive? We tested the C 300, which has a turbocharged mild hybrid four-cylinder engine. The mild hybridization helps smooth out acceleration. Accelerating to 60 mph takes just 5.8 seconds, which is plenty of punch for day-to-day driving. The transmission shifts quickly and unobtrusively too.

Our test car had the benefit of the optional AMG Line sport package, which adds a sport suspension and upgraded brakes and tunes the steering for a more direct and quick response, among other things. All three make this standard C-Class' driving dynamics feel sharp. We are truly impressed with how the C 300 comports itself through turns and how effortless it is to guide it where you want to go.

How comfortable is the C-Class? We can't say for sure how much the AMG Line sport package compromises comfort, but we did find our C 300 to be less comfortable than many rivals in the small luxury class. The suspension, while not harsh, was definitely busier than we'd like and transmitted a lot of road texture into the cabin. That's good for steering and handling, not so much for ride comfort. The AMG sport seats, while mostly supportive, took some time to adjust for comfort and never really felt just right. They also had a non-perforated upholstery that began to feel swampy after driving for more than an hour.

The climate controls are all touchscreen-based with a dedicated spot on the screen. The system has ample cooling capacity, but we felt the need to manually control the fan speed because it didn't seem to blow enough air when left on the auto setting. The greatest strength of the C-Class, at least in terms of comfort, was how quiet the cabin remained. It keeps all manner of sounds outside and you barely hear the engine at startup or idle.

How’s the interior? When it comes to interiors, Mercedes-Benz stands above its competitors in terms of design and material quality. So why just an average score? Function plays a big role, and the C-Class fails to impress. We found the cabin wasn't all that easy to get in and out of due to our C 300 test car's low ride height. As a driver, we were constantly fidgeting to find the best seating position, and the door-mounted controls just aren't as natural to use as they are in a more conventional seat-mounted location.

If there's one thing the C-Class does get right, it's passenger space. There's generally more of it by the numbers compared to competitors, and while we wouldn't call the cabin cavernous, it never feels cramped.

How’s the storage? The C-Class provides effective trunk space, and its remote seat-folding buttons make opening the space between the trunk and the flat-folding rear seats quick and easy. There's a useful amount of bonus underfloor storage as well. Trunk hinges are shrouded so they'll never crush your grocery bags, and you have a total of 12.6 cubic feet of space to work with, which is about average for this vehicle segment.

Storage for small items in the cabin includes an adequate center armrest with split-opening doors, tandem cupholders that can be removed altogether when they aren't needed, and average-size door pockets. Not bad but nothing exceptionally clever beyond the cupholders.

For car seats, easy-access Isofix anchor and tether points are helpful. Moving kids in and out still isn't as easy as in a minivan or SUV, but it's about typical for this class.

Is the C-Class a good value? Mercedes-Benz is typically more expensive than competitors, but the gap isn't terrible with the base C 300. While it's an overused cliché, this is a case where you get what you pay for. This C-Class presents like an E-Class, meaning it packs much more luxury than its compact size would suggest. Material choice and design are always on point, while panel fit and the controls manage to outclass the segment.

Mercedes' four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are unremarkable for the segment. Unlike some competitors, there's no complimentary maintenance.