Used Mercedes C-Class Coupe 2016-2021 review

You know how it goes. You want a sporty-looking car that's smart enough to impress passers-by, rather than some staid four-door saloon, but you still have the occasional need for four seats. You also want a car that’s good to drive and carries a premium badge.

Step forward the Mercedes C-Class Coupé. This handsome devil is more than just a two-door version of the C-Class executive saloon; great steps have been made to make its behaviour and driveability as good as its looks promise. It has a different front suspension set-up, for one, as well as a lower ride height and revised steering. It also offers air suspension – and seeing as this makes a difference to the car’s on-road behaviour, we’d strongly recommend seeking out a car that has it fitted.

The C-Class Coupé is available with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and three high-performance AMG models are sold, too: the C43, C63 and C63 S.

The petrol units are 2.0-litre engines with 181bhp (the C200) and 241bhp (the C300). The diesels are 2.1-litre engines with 168bhp (the C220d) and 201bhp (the C250d). The range was refreshed in 2018, with a 1.6-litre 154bhp petrol added to the line-up (the C180) and the older diesel replaced by a new 2.0-litre engine with 191bhp (the C220d) or 242bhp (the C300d).

There are two trim levels on the C-Class Coupé. Sport is well equipped despite being the cheaper option; it gets you 17in alloys, automatic lights and wipers, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, cruise control, air conditioning and a 7.0in-screen infotainment system featuring sat-nav, a DAB radio, USB connection and Bluetooth. AMG Line adds mostly style upgrades, as well as uprated brakes and firmer suspension.

On the road, the C-Class Coupé is classy and composed. The most popular engines are the diesels, which offer plenty of mid-range grunt as well as reasonable economy. The older 2.1-litre engine in both C220d and C250d forms can sound a little gruff when cold and under hard acceleration, but it settles into a quieter rhythm at higher speeds. The later 2.0-litre engine is much more refined and feels effortlessly flexible on the road.

By contrast, the lower-powered petrol, the C200, is a little short of low-down shove, and the swift C300 always sounds a little coarse. The sporting AMG models are all quick and satisfying with it. The C43 is a twin-turbocharged V6 hoot, while the V8-engined C63 and 63 S are both tremendous fun, if a little bit of a handful on a wet road.

The C-Class Coupé rides well, too, although it's better on the optional air suspension, which transforms the driving experience. You can keep it soft or stiffen it up at the flick of a switch to reduce body lean in corners. The rival BMW 4 Series Coupé is sweeter-handling, but the C-Class Coupé still turns in to corners keenly, and its steering weights up predictably.

You’re unlikely to be disappointed with the interior, either. The sports seats are supportive and comfortable and include adjustable lumbar support as standard, while the dashboard looks smart, with a tactile blend of materials and finishes.

Some might not like the way the 7.0in infotainment screen looks tacked-on, rather than integrated, and the system takes some getting used to with its overly complex menus and controls, but the graphics are crisp and there's all the functionality you could want, including sat-nav, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and full connectivity for your smartphone or MP3 player.

There’s plenty of space for the driver and front passenger, but the two in the rear will be a little cramped if they’re tall. Some rival cars are fractionally roomier. Likewise, the C-Class Coupé's boot isn’t as big as some, but there’s enough for a couple of suitcases and some extras.

If you're interested in finding a used C-Class, or any of the other executive cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Around £14,000 is the starting price for a C-Class Coupé. This will buy you a 2016 model in excellent condition with an average mileage for the year and a full history, from either a trader of an independent dealer. Up the folding to between £18,000 and £20,000 and you should be able to get a 2017 model, with the same criteria. Revised models from mid-2018 onwards with the improved engine range and new infotainment system can be found from £20,000. Spend between £20,000 and £30,000 on 2019, 2020 and 2021 models. Expect to pay in excess of £24,000 for a six-cylinder C43 or £34,000 or more for an eight-cylinder C63 AMG.

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Choose a 220d in base Sport trim and the average claimed NEDC fuel consumption is an excellent 68.9mpg, with corresponding CO2 emissions of just 106g/km. The C250d can beat an average 60mpg too, while the petrols inevitably lag behind, with the super-quick AMG C63 S managing just 32.8mpg.

Road tax for the diesels will be cheap, especially for cars registered before the tax changes of April 2017. Cars registered after that date will all be charged at the flat rate, although cars that cost more than £40,000 when new will be subject to an additional yearly surcharge. The current rates are £180 a year for a petrol or diesel car and £170 a year for a hybrid. The luxury tax is £390 a year.

Insurance groups are on the high side for all C-Class Coupé models, while servicing costs can be pricey, too. However, Mercedes operates a number of pay-monthly serving plans, allowing you to budget for the cost of servicing for a year or more.

For its decent performance and praiseworthy economy, we’d try and seek out a C220d. As far as trim goes, we’d also look for a cheaper Sport model, which will have most of the equipment you'll want.

Our favourite Mercedes C-Class Coupé: C220d Sport

The biggest rival the C-Class Coupé faces is the BMW 4 Series Coupé. In most specs, it rides and handles well, and it won’t cost a fortune to run. One or two of the diesel engines are a little gruff, however, and it’s traditional BMW interior isn’t as flamboyant as the C-Class Coupé’s.

The Audi A5 Coupé handles well, too, and if you seek out the 3.0 TDI diesel version, you’ll have a smooth and swift car that’s also surprisingly economical. It’s not as involving to drive as the Mercedes or BMW, but its interior is very classy.

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If you're interested in finding a used C-Class, or any of the other executive cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.