2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes in four-door sedan and wagon configurations and has consistently been one of the brand’s highest volume sellers.

My tester was the C 300 4Matic all-wheel drive sedan, the perfect combination of luxury, performance, technology, and practicality.

“Our customers have always loved the C-Class, because it has always been top with regard to comfort and technology as well as to spaciousness and design, Britta Seeger, member of the Daimler AG board said. “That is substantiated by over 10.5 million units sold since 1982. With the latest edition, we are taking the next logical step on our road to the digital and sustainable future with a host of innovations and cutting-edge digital elements.”

Basically, Mercedes has added features from its flagship S Class to make the C Class even harder to resist. The newest generation of Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) adds possibilities for personalization and intuitive operation, making vehicle control and comfort features easier to use than before.

The driver area features a 12.3-inch high-resolution display as standard, setting it apart from traditional cockpits with classic round dials. Digitalization is also obvious in the central display: the vehicle functions can be controlled using the high-quality, 11.9-inch touchscreen. Its portrait orientation is particularly advantageous for navigation. The touchscreen appears to float above the expanse of trim, and is slightly tilted toward the driver.

My tester was powered by a 2.0-liter, inline, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine with mild hybrid paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The combination delivers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to turbocharging, the gasoline engine now has an integrated starter-generator (ISG) for intelligent assistance at low engine speeds as a mild hybrid, ensuring outstanding power delivery. The ISG uses a 48-volt onboard electrical system that allows functions such as gliding, boosting or energy recovery, and makes significant fuel savings possible.

The C 300 seats five adults with plenty of elbow, leg and headroom. Trunk space is generous, and the sedan is fuel friendly, receiving a 33 mile per gallon EPA rating down the highway.

The new C-Class is standard-equipped with an agility control suspension with continuously adjustable damping. The feature provides the basis for a high level of suspension, ride and noise comfort, agile handling and driving fun. C 300 is definitely a driver’s car.

My tester came with almost $17,000 in optional equipment. For starters, there were 19-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels, leather, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, panorama roof, acoustic glass, enhanced ambient lighting, and inductive wireless charging.

There was also a parking assist package ($1,000) that includes active parking assist and surround view system. A digital light package ($1,100) which adds digital light headlamps with a projection function; multimedia package ($1,700) with navigation and head up display; sound package ($650) that includes a Burmester 3D surround sound system with music streaming; AMG line with night package ($3,050) that adds brushed aluminum sport pedals, perforated front brake discs, front splitter and rear diffuser.

Completing the list of optional equipment is a driver assistance package ($1,950) that includes active distance and steering wheel assist, lane change assist, lane keeping assist, active blind side assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, evasive steering assist, emergency stop assist, speed limit assist, and route-base speed adaptation.

Let’s face it, technology makes it almost impossible to screw up.

Base Price: $46,555

Price As Driven: $62,520

Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.