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Expert Rating

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

(2021 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

74
%
A

Used car score:

69
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

77
%
A

Safety Rating:

87
%
A

Eco Rating:

75
%
A

Reliability Rating:

65
%
D

Running Costs:

50
%
D

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

74
%
A

Used car score:

69
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

77
%
A

Safety Rating:

87
%
A

Eco Rating:

75
%
A

Reliability Rating:

65
%
D

Running Costs:

50
%
D

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.

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


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Driving Electric

+

Electrifying.com

+

Heycar

+

Parkers

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

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

Clean Air Index: 6.3 / 10
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

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 consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models41 mpgD35 – 44 mpgC – D
Diesel models56 mpgB44 – 63 mpgA – C
Plug-in hybrid models511 mpgA404 – 565 mpgA – A
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models155 g/kmB145 – 187 g/kmB – C
Diesel models132 g/kmA119 – 167 g/kmA – C
Plug-in hybrid models13 g/kmA12 – 15 g/kmA – A
Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
Plug-in hybrid models69 milesC65 – 72 milesC – C
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models39C36 – 50C – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£327C
Year 2£764C
Year 3£1,242C
Year 4£1,490C
Year 5£1,968C
Overall£5,791C

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 SeriesJaguar XE | Kia Stinger | Mazda 6 | Peugeot 508 | Polestar 2 | Subaru Levorg | Tesla Model 3 | Vauxhall Insignia | Volkswagen Arteon | Volkswagen Passat | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60


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Now in its fifth generation, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive saloon praised for its comfortable and tech-laden interior.Mercedes-Benz C-Class