Inside, look for nice materials to go with the dressy look. The front seats have good support and the rear seat is spacious by compact luxury sedan standards, even if taller occupants may find themselves brushing the top of their heads against the headliner. Mercedes drapes the cabin in nice materials, though it’s worth spending up for upgraded trim since wood, metal, or carbon fiber will dominate the dashboard.
The C-Class has earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. All models come with basic crash-avoidance tech that can detect and stop for pedestrians or cyclists. Adaptive cruise control is an inexpensive option, while a more advanced system that can allow for some hands-off driving is on the options list.
How much does the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cost?
A base C 300 sedan is $49,600, though it’s really not missing much at that price point. You’ll find synthetic leather seats with power adjustment and heating up front, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, an 11.9-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Where is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class made?
In Germany.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz C ClassStyling
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an elegant choice.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class a good-looking car?
Absolutely. It’s a stylish, versatile choice that looks right in just about any setting. We rate the 2025 C-Class at 8 out of 10, with one point for its exterior and two for its divine cabin.
The C-Class comes only as a sedan, though the way its roofline seems to flow gently into the trunklid gives it almost a four-door coupe profile. Everything gets off to a good start with the broad grille that gives the C-Class a wide, planted look. Its headlights float just above with minimal drama, though the twin power dome-like look to the hood provides a sense of sportiness. Clean, elegant taillights that look like any other Mercedes model finish things off.
AMG versions have more pizzazz, but it’s all bolted on. They have zestier bumpers and bigger wheels, though they don’t go nearly as far as BMW does with its M offerings.
The cabin is an exercise in restraint, at least in terms of surface detailing. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen take up a lot of space and absorb most controls, resulting in a somewhat austere look unless you pick the right color and trim combination. Do so—with lighter or warmer upholstery and wood trim, we say—and there’s not a better $50,000-or-so cabin around.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz C ClassPerformance
Mercedes-Benz blends performance with refinement in its C-Class.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class boasts a broad lineup when it comes to power output, but all versions we’ve tested so far are equally impressive for what they are. We score the lineup at 7 out of 10 overall, though AMG versions would easily net another point for their acceleration and possibly two for handling.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4WD?
Generally, yes, though there’s a rear-wheel-drive version of the C 300. All-wheel drive is $2,000 more. AMG models come with all-wheel drive.
How fast is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The C 300 is quick enough with its 255-hp courtesy a 2.0-liter turbo-4 paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It’ll zip to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, Mercedes says, but that does lag behind some rivals. Its 9-speed automatic is a gem, with rapid downshifts when needed.
In its purest form, the C 300 isn’t really all that sporty, though it handles well enough thanks to direct, quick steering and a compliant ride that’s just firm enough to entertain on a twisty road. It doesn’t take in bumps with the firmness you’ll find in a 3-Series, though, and it can lean a bit more in hard cornering. Opt for the AMG kit on the C 300 and its personality shifts only slightly toward athletic. It’s more about styling in the C 300.
We’ve yet to drive either the C 43 or the new C 63 S E, but both promise lots of power.
The AMG C 43 ratchets the turbo-4 up 416 hp and 369 lb-ft, while the mild-hybrid can add brief 13-hp boosts to limit lag off the line. Mercedes estimates a 0-60 mph run of 4.6 seconds. We’ll let you know how the rear-wheel steering system and buttoned-down suspension with adaptive dampers change this model once we drive it.
Meanwhile, the C 63 has its own 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at a commanding 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque, which the automaker says can vault this car to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds before topping out at 174 mph. There’s more to the story, though. The 2.0-liter turbo-4 features an electric turbocharger; all in, this setup delivers 469 mph. The 400-volt electrical system powers an electric motor mounted at the rear that’s good for short stints of 201 hp.
This model also offers 8 miles of estimated all-electric range on a full charge, which is… something.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz C ClassComfort & Quality
Mercedes fits a cabin that’s both stylish and spacious in the C-Class.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class nets an 8 for its interior. It has good front and rear seats and a surprisingly spacious trunk, plus everything’s lined in nice enough materials.
The standard front seats have power adjustment and memory for the driver, while the rear seat has a reasonable 36.0 inches of legroom. Taller occupants might find tight headroom, particularly with the sunroof.
Synthetic leather comes standard, but it has a nice enough feel that opting for the real stuff isn’t necessary. We’d spend instead on dressier trim; Mercedes offers several different choices including various grades of real wood, aluminum, and carbon fiber.
Overall, the C-Class is fairly quiet inside, though the available extra-insulated glass may be worth it if you spend a lot of time at speed.
Behind the cargo area, look for a 17.9 cubic-foot trunk.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz C ClassSafety
The C-Class is a safe choice, but you’ll pay extra for the best assistance tech.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It has done very well in what crash tests have been performed. The IIHS says that the C-Class rates a Top Safety Pick+, though this model has yet to be tested by the NHTSA. Its IIHS rating, its standard equipment, and its optional hands-off tech net it an 8 on the TCC scale.
All C-Class models have automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver-attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control is optional, but we suggest spending up for the Driver Assistance Package that has a more advanced system that will push the car away from what it detects as a dangerous situation. It also allows for limited stints of hands-off driving at speed.
Outward vision is good forward, but somewhat compromised to the rear due to the way the roofline slopes downward.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz C ClassFeatures
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes well-outfitted with in-cabin tech.
The C-Class is a well-equipped compact luxury car even in its cheapest form, though at nearly $50,000 we’re long past the days of a budget Benz with this name.
Standard equipment for the base C 300 includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless device charging pad. Synthetic leather upholstery with heated and power-adjustable front seats are also standard. We rate the lineup at 8 out of 10 thanks to all that standard kit, a good infotainment system with a big screen, and numerous options as you work your way into even bigger bucks. The 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is nothing special for a luxury car.
All-wheel drive costs another $2,000 on the C 300.
Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class should I buy?
The base C 300 is likely good enough, though the $2,250 upcharge for the Exclusive trim level adds navigation, Burmester audio, and a surround-view camera system. Another $1,900 nets a head-up display, improved LED headlights, and insulated glass. We’d also consider budgeting at least $600 for adaptive cruise control, or $1,950 for a package that allows for limited stints of hands-free motoring.
Before you add too much to a C 300, though, consider that the C 43 is $63,650. It’s a bit better outfitted, but you’ll still have to pay extra for navigation, Burmester audio, and adaptive cruise control.
How much is a fully loaded Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The C 63 S E runs $88,050 to start. Add matte paint, dressier styling bits, leather upholstery, sports seats, carbon fiber trim, cooled front seats, and driver-assistance tech, and you’ll find yourself looking at a $110,000 car. Ceramic composite front brakes run $5,450, but beware of their maintenance costs, too.
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2025 Mercedes-Benz C ClassFuel Economy
The C-Class is pretty frugal in base form, and offers a plug-in edition.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class good on gas?
The Mercedes-Benz C 300 is, yes. Other models? Not so much. The base C 300 with rear-wheel drive checks in with EPA test estimates of 25 mpg city, 35 highway, 29 combined, while the all-wheel-drive version is rated at 24/33/27 mpg. Either way, those figures score a 3 on the TCC scale. There’s no plug-in hybrid model; for that, you’ll want to shop the GLC 350e and its electric-only range of 54 miles.
The C 43’s 19/27/22-mpg estimates aren’t nearly as good, but then again this model has 416 hp. The C 63 hasn’t been posted to the EPA’s website yet, but we have low expectations for its fuel economy. Somewhat comically, the C 63 S E is a plug-in hybrid that offers around 8 miles of range on a full charge. Yes, 8 miles.
