What does it cost?
For The Mercedes C-Class is well equipped and comes with lots of safety kit. Most versions have plenty of power and Executive SE models ride well.
Against The four-cylinder diesel engines are horribly rough, and all-round refinement is very poor. Interior quality is disappointing, prices are high and contract hire rates are similarly steep. Sport models have a rather firm ride.
What Car? says
The Mercedes C-Class has its strengths, but its refinement simply isn’t good enough. We really struggle to recommend an executive car that’s this noisy and rough.
What Car? readers say
4.571429
There are 16 Mercedes-Benz C-Class versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
The Mercedes C-Class has its strengths, but it’s extremely flawed in a couple of crucial areas. By far the biggest disappointment is the car’s refinement. All models have too much wind and road noise, while manual models have a horribly springy clutch pedal and a notchy gearshift. The four-cylinder petrols sound wheezy and breathless, while the four-cylinder diesels, which make up the vast majority of sales, are horribly clattery and give off way too much vibration. The six-cylinder engine is much better, but it’s too pricey to recommend and only comes with sport suspension that scuppers the ride comfort.
This on its own is enough to justify the car’s two-star rating – we simply can’t countenance an executive car with such poor refinement. However, that’s not the only area where the C-Class disappoints. A good exec should be classy inside, but the materials aren’t upmarket enough and the design is bland, so the cabin has a very drab feel.
Reader test team says:
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Our pick of the range
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon C220 CDI Executive SE 4dr
The best C-Class model, but still lags way behind its best rivals.
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