Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes' new S-Class certainly sets new standards for luxury and opulence. But you know, you might not be able to afford a six-figure executive sedan with facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner. If so, you might want to consider the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Available in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles, the C-Class is a versatile small luxury car that offers an appealing mix of comfort, performance and top-notch construction.

But this current-generation C-Class — it dates back to the 2015 model year — is getting on its years, and it lacks the newest Mercedes infotainment interface. As such, the A-Class and the E-Class — the two vehicles that bookend the C-Class in terms of price and size — feel more modern and up-to-date. Check out our MatoCar Expert Rating for the full rundown of this Merc's hits and misses.

Which C-Class does MatoCar recommend?

Any of the AMG models will give you the thrills you'd expect of a sport sedan, but consider sticking with the standard C 300. It has a decent amount of power and the money you save with it means you can spend more on the C-Class' optional extras if you want. The Premium package is a good place to start. The Driver Assistance package is comprehensive without being overly pricey, though it also requires adding the Multimedia package.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a small luxury car sold in sedan, coupe and convertible (Cabriolet) body styles. Five trims are available in increasing levels of performance: C 300, C 300 4Matic, AMG C 43, AMG C 63 and AMG C 63 S. Most models use rear-wheel drive, though the C 300 4Matic and AMG C 43 feature all-wheel drive. Regardless of engine, a nine-speed automatic is the only transmission available.

C 300 and C 300 4MaticThe base C 300 and C 300 4Matic are virtually identical; the only difference is that the former features rear-wheel drive and the latter is equipped with all-wheel drive. Standard features include:

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque)
LED headlights
Sunroof (sedan and coupe only)
Power trunklid
Keyless entry and ignition
Digital gauge cluster
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Driver-seat memory settings
Neck heater (Cabriolet only)
Heated front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
10.25-inch central infotainment display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Premium package (Cabriolet only, see below)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change)

The C 300 is available with a wide range of option packages and stand-alone options. These include:

AMG Line package

Aerodynamic body kit
Chrome starburst-pattern grille
Rear spoiler
Sport-tuned suspension
Sport seats

Premium package

Ambient interior lighting
13-speaker Burmester premium audio system
Satellite radio

Night Edition package

Premium package
AMG Line package
Black-painted exterior accents
Black grille
Imitation suede seat inserts

Multimedia package

Navigation system
Touchpad controller
Car-to-X functionality (can electronically communicate with infrastructure and other vehicles equipped with this technology)

Parking Assistance package

Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the C-Class and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Driver Assistance package

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front. Can also react to traffic signs and set speed)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)

Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Ventilated front seats
Leather upholstery
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Wireless charging pad

AMG C 43 The AMG C 43 turns up the performance wick with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (385 hp, 384 lb-ft) and all-wheel drive. Other additions include: