The all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 is a departure from any previous C-Class. No extra is it the entry-level sedan that it as soon as was. Now, it’s imbued with a bevy of superior expertise, extra space, and a way more streamlined lineup.

Gone are the trio of engine choices provided on the earlier technology in lieu of a extra highly effective model of the two.0-liter mild-hybrid four-cylinder that served as the bottom engine final yr.

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The wheelbase has been stretched by about an inch and the Automotive is 2.5-inches longer total. Over the course of every week with the C 300, we discovered that these adjustments make it higher in particular person than on paper.

The Enjoyable-Sized S-Class

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From the skin, the C 300 very clearly shares a few of its most necessary design cues with its bigger S-Class sibling. The headlight and entrance fascia remedy are practically equivalent. The decrease grille sections are related and whereas the C 300 differentiates itself with distinguished energy bulges within the hood, it shares the identical sharp creases the place the hood blends down towards the fender. The belt traces and tail lights proceed to share DNA a lot in order that the C 300 actually is nearer to the S-Class by way of design than ever earlier than.

The 19-inch five-spoke wheels on our take a look at automotive present a extra athletic look than most will discover on the S-Class however that’s good as a result of the C 300 is supposed to really feel extra agile each by exterior design and from behind the wheel. In contrast to the model’s new all-electric EQS, the C 300 options what Mercedes calls a ‘cab-backward’ design with a protracted hood and a brief rear trunk area. Whereas our automotive was not geared up with it, an AMG package deal provides a rear diffuser, efficiency brakes, and a sports activities suspension together with different delicate visible adjustments to the outside.

A Posh Place

Equally to the outside of the C 300’s design, the inside borrows closely from the flagship within the household. A brand new progressive inside includes a distinguished sprint with at least six totally different patterns out there. Including to which are 11 totally different upholstery decisions that span from easy black MB-Tex (the brand’s name for faux leather) to “Energy Purple/Black” leather-based.

As has been the case for a while now, seating controls are discovered on the door panel they usually work properly. Regardless of my barely above-average top (6’6), I discovered it pretty straightforward to get comfy even though the highest of my hair was simply barely grazing the headliner. Manually-adjustable headrests for the entrance seats performed a job there. If we might change the entrance seats in any respect we’d set them into the automotive a bit of decrease.

The rear seats aren’t as comfy for an individual of my measurement however average-sized adults can survive again there for many journeys with out fuss. We actually wouldn’t suggest making an attempt to suit 5 adults on this automotive although. The ‘cab-backward’ design seems good and positive, there’s extra space than within the earlier technology, however not by a lot.

Nonetheless, the overarching theme of the C 300s inside is certainly one of honest luxurious and high quality. The switchgear feels improbable in on a regular basis use from the local weather vents that really feel cosy however placeable to the paddle shifters that supply a satisfying click on when pulled. It’s not all good, although. The piano black plastics seize and maintain onto fingerprints and smudges and the touch-capacitive buttons and sliders are an entire totally different matter. Let’s get into that.

Expertise Hits And Misses

Staring again on the occupants of the C 300 are two screens. Straight forward of the motive force is a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. It’s vibrant, rectangular, and simple to know in follow. The central infotainment display could be very barely angled in the direction of the motive force however might be seen and manipulated by the passenger with ease. It additionally seems nice and presents an virtually beautiful array of options and choices. Sadly, manipulating the system isn’t practically as easy because it could possibly be.

Bodily touches to the display obtain quickish responses however the menu system itself is a bit convoluted and arduous to comply with. Moreover, the capacitive buttons discovered slightly below the infotainment display and on the steering wheel are irritating to make use of in follow. Generally they don’t react in any respect whereas at different instances the system senses the contact and appears to overreact.

Fortunately, Mercedes has one of many best voice command techniques within the enterprise. Each side of it that we examined labored the primary time with out the necessity for added makes an attempt. That doesn’t imply that it was good all week. Each from time to time it will ask for us to repeat phrases however total we discovered it simpler to make use of than the contact interface itself. It’s particularly wonderful at offering turn-by-turn navigation instructions partly because of the augmented reality utilized to the system.

As you method turns or locations the place you may want to vary lanes the system will present the true highway forward on the principle infotainment system with floating arrows that time within the appropriate path.

The one factor we’d change is that we’d put that within the heads-up show or restrict the AR part to half of the infotainment system versus the entire thing. That manner you can see the overhead view of the flip along with the AR model. It also needs to be famous that each from time to time the nav system would make errors just like the time that it tried to inform us to drive on a closed bike path to get to our vacation spot.

The premium Burmester sound system within the C 300 was positive however we discovered that it actually struggled with bass-heavy music. The remainder of the vary was nice although and the system permits for lots of adjustment.

The C 300’s automated parking characteristic was spectacular. As soon as activated the automotive will robotically scan the roadside for a parking area. When it’s discovered an area, the interface will ask the motive force to interact the precise parking motion after which to modulate the brake as needed. In our testing, it appeared that it struggled to get near the curb if no parking traces had been current.

It could nonetheless make it into an area however it will depart 18 or extra inches typically between the automotive and the curb. If traces had been current it was extremely spectacular. Not solely wouldn’t it put the automotive about 8 inches from the curb however it will really pull the automotive ahead within the area to guarantee that it’s centered wherever attainable.

A New C-Class Household Tree

Breaking away from the custom of its previous, Mercedes sells the brand new C 300 in three different distinct trims after which permits consumers so as to add extra content material in packages or individually. The entire trio of trims might be had in rear- or all-wheel drive (4Matic).

The lineup begins out with the Premium which incorporates normal tools like 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, an 11.9-inch infotainment system, heated entrance seats, faux-leather upholstery, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, an built-in WiFi hotspot, and ambient inside lighting.

Each C 300 can also be geared up with emergency cease help, adaptive excessive beam help, blind-spot monitoring, ahead collision mitigation, and a safe-exit system. That’s a whole lot of tools for the C 300’s $43,550 beginning MSRP.

The Unique trim degree, priced at $45,800, provides the Burmester audio system, a wi-fi charging pad, an automatic parking system, a 360-degree digicam, and streaming music providers.

The highest trim is appropriately named Pinnacle and it has built-in augmented actuality navigation and a heads-up show. The highest two trims can add a Driver Help package deal that features adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, evasive steering help, blind-spot intervention, and extra. It begins at $47,500.

Consumers can additional add particular person options like leather-based upholstery, ventilated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, up to date headlights, and adaptive headlights.

Gasoline Financial system

Based on the EPA, the 2022 C 300 Sedan can rise up to 25 mpg within the metropolis and 35 on the freeway. That leads to a mixed rating of 29. The 4Matic model sees these figures drop to 23, 33, and 27 respectively. In our week’s price of blended driving, we ended up with an noticed 27.7 mpg mixed. That’s fairly good for this class and simply beats out opponents like the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

When Did Regular Vehicles Get This Fast?

Every day driving the C 300 for every week was an actual pleasure. It’s a easy and cozy performer in on a regular basis visitors. Each the accelerator and the brake take a few days to essentially grasp. As soon as one is comfy with them it’s straightforward to regulate velocity and braking with a deft contact.

We’re additionally very impressed by how properly the automotive dealt with heavy rainfall. Regardless of critical downpours, it by no means felt prefer it was dropping traction or poise. We’ll additionally take a second to say that the automated wipers are distinctive. Additionally they required zero interplay from us to do their job.

How would this small sedan fare when issues acquired quick? Whereas 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 pound-feet (399 Nm) of torque may not sound like a lot it’s greater than potent sufficient for the C 300. From a useless cease, it’ll rip from 0-60 in simply 5.3 seconds. It could be even sooner if the engine didn’t have to spin up the turbo earlier than actual energy kicks in.

Regardless of that, the mild-hybrid helps out by having the ability to add as much as 20 horsepower briefly bursts. As soon as it’s as much as freeway speeds the C-Class is an excellent cruiser and doesn’t run out of oomph both. Triple-digit speeds really feel significantly slower due to rock-solid building and a hushed cabin.

One noise that we’re joyful about listening to within the C 300 is the engine that has a stunning rasp above 4,000 rpm. Round corners, the C 300 is nimble and confidence-inspiring. High and low-speed corners are managed with aplomb and accuracy. The wheel and pedals present verbose suggestions about what’s occurring on the tires. In the end we discovered the driving expertise within the C 300 to be very spectacular.

Elevating The Bar

Mercedes is bringing the C 300 to market in opposition to a bevy of challengers. The BMW 4-Sequence Gran Coupe and the Audi A5 Sportback are apparent rivals however they’re now not alone. The Genesis G70 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia additionally share this area. In that expanded group, the C 300 feels probably the most luxurious to us. It’s not pretty much as good of a worth because the G70 and it’s not as sharp of a efficiency sedan as a few of the others.

General although we expect the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 is an extremely competent package deal of well-rounded options. It’s fast, it’s composed, it’s filled with high-end luxurious therapies and expertise, and it’s competitively priced. We’re desirous to see how the C43 and C63 AMG variants elevate the bar even additional.