Summary
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a medium-sized saloon and estate car that is now in its fifth generation. This version was launched in the summer of 2021, arriving in the UK later in the year.
The previous generation C-Class was also available as a coupe and cabriolet, but this will not be the case with the current model – a new model called the CLE has replaced both the C-Class and E-Class coupe and cabriolet families.
Buyers have a wide range of engine options to choose from, with both petrol and diesel variants available and all with mild hybrid assistance. There is also a plug-in hybrid model on sale, which is available for roughly £6,000 more than the standard model.
The C-Class has had a very positive reception from the UK media at its launch; reviews ranging from very good to excellent. Reviewers are particularly enthused by the technology and infotainment systems borrowed from the impressive S-Class. Carwow concludes, “The Mercedes C-Class is hi-tech, comfy and packed with kit, bringing S-Class luxury for a lot less cash.”
In addition, many reviewers particularly recommend the C 300e plug-in hybrid as a company car; this model is highlighted for its impressive fuel economy and low tax rate.
As of December 2024, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It scores top marks for its excellent media review scores, safety rating and low CO2 emissions, but the score is dragged down from an even better result by reliability concerns and high running costs.
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 to 2021) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz ratings, reviews, news and features
C-Class highlights
- Good levels of standard equipment
- Advanced infotainment system
- Range of efficient engine choices
- Comfortable interior
C-Class lowlights
- Rivals have more boot space
- Alternatives have more cabin luxuries
- Not as dynamic to drive as the BMW 3 Series
- Interior quality doesn’t live up to Mercedes’ reputation
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized saloon and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £45,165 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A quality interior, great efficiency and strong on-board tech mean that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a deeply impressive compact executive saloon.” (Shane Wilkinson and Paul Adam)
Read review
Model reviewed: C 300 d Estate
Score: 9 / 10
“The fuel efficiency, refinement and performance on offer go a long way to justify the high price tag, while factoring in the tech-laden interior and extra practicality, mean that the Mercedes is hard to beat in the compact executive estate sector. The C 300 d shows us diesel still makes sense, for the near future at least.”
Read review
Model reviewed: C300 e 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid saloon AMG Line
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mercedes C300 e plug-in hybrid offers superb low running costs and a real feeling of quality throughout.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“All-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class draws down tech, luxury and a sense of refinement from its big brothers.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid C 300e AMG Line
Score: 8 / 10
“If you can’t go EV, the Mercedes-Benz C 300e must be one of the best plug-in models available and should be given serious consideration alongside the BMW 330e.” (Martyn Collins)
Read review
Model reviewed: C300e
Score: 8 / 10
“Diesel plug-in hybrid versions of the new C-Class will follow, but like the standard car, the C300e impresses with its high levels of comfort and refinement, together with the significant savings that only plug-in hybrid versions are able to offer.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“UK buyers mostly want something that looks great and will get their passengers talking. And Mercedes has nailed this. It’s just a shame the passengers will be saying: ‘can you go a bit slower over the speed bumps?'”
Read review
Model reviewed: C300e
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re after a plug-in hybrid to save the planet or a few pounds, it’s hard to ignore the C300e’s numerous charms. In its natural environment of the motorway it’s a more accomplished cruiser even without fancy adaptive dampers, and the real world electric range is astonishingly good.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic C220d saloon
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a fine all-rounder, and this C220d certainly shows this Mercedes at its finest. It’s smooth, impressively refined and ideal for those that spend plenty of time on the road. The tech-laden interior also makes it feel smart and modern, while there’s still a decent amount of interior space too.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s comfortable, refined and well-made inside while a variety of powertrain options mean that there really should be a model for all buyers. The addition of a more potent plug-in hybrid will no doubt broaden the appeal of the C-Class even further, too.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Mercedes C-Class is a desirable car with a fantastic interior, plus with hybrid tech it’s supremely efficient too.” (Tom Jervis)
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Mercedes C 300 e is the strongest version of the C-Class, and perhaps one of the best company cars you can buy today.” (Tom Jervis)
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new 2021 Mercedes C-Class is hi-tech, comfy and packed with kit, bringing S-Class luxury for a lot less cash. It has a smaller boot than some alternatives, however.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: C 300 e plug-in hybrid
Score: 9 / 10
“The new plug-in hybrid Mercedes C 300 e is going to give its rivals from BMW and Volvo a run for their money, with an impressive infotainment system and 68-mile electric driving range.”
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: C 300 e Plug-in hybrid
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Mercedes is really upping the plug-in hybrid stakes with the 2022 C-Class, thanks to a bigger battery and longer range. It’s set to be a company car favourite.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Sure, it’s not quite as nice to drive as a BMW 3 Series but as a car to live with everyday, it’s the best small saloon currently available.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“New C-Class packs cutting-edge tech and a wonderful interior.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel (mild hybrid) automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“Less a completely new car, more a rework on the old, there’s a lot to like in this fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Its light and accurate controls, its refined and powerful turbodiesel engine and the way it rides and drives, slow or fast, are up there with the top of the class.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Hugely comfortable, impressively equipped, and assured to drive, the new C-Class ticks a lot of boxes.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 82%
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been awarded a full five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP – this rating applies to both the saloon and estate version.
On top of an impressive collection of scores across the board, the C-Class has also been given a Euro NCAP Advanced award for its ‘Car-to-X Communication’ system, which utilises data from other vehicles to provide an early warning, via a cloud-based service, of potential hazards in a car’s vicinity before they could otherwise be detected.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: C180 Petrol RWD Automatic
Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: June 2023
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.6 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3 / 10
The rating above only applies to the C 180 model, which actually isn’t available in the UK. The C-Class range begins with the C 200 variant here in Britain, but this two-an-a-half star rating gives us an indication of how other petrol-powered mild-hybrid versions would fare when tested for emissions.
The Green NCAP team comments that “the 48-volt mild-hybrid system doesn’t help the car to bring down consumption and CO2 emissions”, and while “pollutant emissions are managed well and robustly, further improvement potential is identified.”
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 1045
Average repair cost: £569.53
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a below-average reliability rating of 60%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current C-Class and also to previous generations, which is worth considering if you are considering a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Based on more than 1,000 warranty claims, the average repair cost is about £600 so a used car warranty is well worth considering if you own or are considering an C-Class. More than 30% of claims concern the electrical system, with an average bill of about £500. Engine and gearbox faults are unsurprisingly the most expensive problems, and are not uncommon in the C-Class.
Make sure that any used car warranty you purchase covers all of these problem areas.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 41 mpg | D | 35 – 44 mpg | C – D |
Diesel models | 56 mpg | B | 44 – 63 mpg | A – C |
Plug-in hybrid models | 511 mpg | A | 404 – 565 mpg | A – A |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 155 g/km | B | 145 – 187 g/km | B – C |
Diesel models | 132 g/km | A | 119 – 167 g/km | A – C |
Plug-in hybrid models | 13 g/km | A | 12 – 15 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 69 miles | C | 65 – 72 miles | C – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 39 | C | 36 – 50 | C – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £327 | C |
Year 2 | £764 | C |
Year 3 | £1,242 | C |
Year 4 | £1,490 | C |
Year 5 | £1,968 | C |
Overall | £5,791 | C |
Running costs for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range are a mixed bag, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models but good for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 511 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…
The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is exceptionally good compared to most rivals, even if you won’t hit 109 miles in real-world driving. It means that most households could do most of their weekly driving without using any petrol, as long as you are able to plug the C-Class in regularly.
Compared to the rest of the mid-sized saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has received
2023
- Auto Express Awards – Best Premium Hybrid Car
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Plug-in Hybrid
2022
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid
- DrivingElectric Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid Company Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Audi A4 | Audi A5 Sportback | BMW 3 Series | Jaguar XE | Kia Stinger | Mazda 6 | Peugeot 508 | Polestar 2 | Subaru Levorg | Tesla Model 3 | Vauxhall Insignia | Volkswagen Arteon | Volkswagen Passat | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 to 2021) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
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