Summary
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet was a four-seater convertible that first arrived on UK roads in 2016 – two years after its executive saloon sibling. It was facelifted in 2018, and remained on sale until 2024 when it was replaced the new Mercedes-Benz CLE.
This generation of C-Class also included a coupé body style, as well as high-performance models from Mercedes-AMG, but we are only covering the Cabriolet on this page.
Like its big brother, the E-Class Cabriolet, this convertible C-Class was commended by the UK motoring media for its classy looks inside and out, as well as its strong range of engine options which were both fast and relatively frugal.
The C-Class saloon was obviously a more practical choice for the daily commute, but Carwow added that the soft-top was “surprisingly spacious” inside, and offered a relaxed driving experience that few rivals could match. “The C-Class Cabriolet pretty much does it all – well, apart from being outright fun to drive”.
The majority of reviewers agreed with this sentiment – the C-Class Cabriolet was one of the most elegant convertibles around, but not the most exciting. Others preferred the interior design of its competitors too.
“It just lacks that last degree of driving precision you get in a BMW 4 Series Convertible, or the quiet, efficient quality interior of an Audi A5 Cabriolet“, Parkers argued. “That said, it’s the best of the three if you value comfort over driver feedback – and it’s incredibly at home on Britain’s motorways.”
As of November 2024, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 59%. It scored well in terms of media reviews and low CO2 emissions, but its running costs are high and its reliability record is poor.
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 to 2021) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
C-Class Cabriolet highlights
- Fast but frugal engines
- Comfortable and well-built interior
- Alluring drop-top looks
C-Class Cabriolet lowlights
- Rather small boot
- Alternatives are sharper in the corners
- Pricey on the used market
Key specifications
Body style: Convertible
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £49,510 on-road
Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Autumn 2018
End of production: 2023?
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 10 / 10
“It feels like a miniature version of the flagship S-Class Cabriolet, but at half the price.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.2 / 10
“With its shrunken S-Class looks, superb cabin and wide engine range, the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet offers, on the face of it at least, fantastic spread of abilities, while the impressive refinement and efficient diesels should make it easy to live with.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: C220d Cabriolet
Score: 6 / 10
“Merc’s drop-top C-class caters perfectly for those seeking a smart-looking cruiser; it looks suitably sleek in practically any spec, with Merc’s imperious posing quality as standard.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re after a refined, classy four-seat convertible, then the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet could well be for you.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Stylish, comfortable and even surprisingly spacious, the C-Class Cabriolet pretty much does it all – well, apart from being outright fun to drive.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“In a tightly competitive marketplace, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet demonstrates strengths in a number of areas. Its handsome styling is combined with a classy interior, while a premium badge and generous equipment add to the impressive package.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Refined and relaxing to drive, relatively affordable pricing and generous equipment, interior design matches classy exterior with plenty of neat features.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 9.2 / 10
“That Mercedes has managed to make a relatively affordable, yet very well finished and secure-feeling Cabriolet without sacrificing traditional brand values of safety, solidity and quality is, therefore, to be applauded. However, there’s no denying that the Audi A5 is thoroughly accomplished as an open-topped interpretation of a four-seater coupe.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Top on or top off, or top somewhere in between, it’s a handsome car. Some Mercedes can look busy and bossy and a little too full of themselves. Not this one.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The C-class Cabriolet is everything you’d expect a soft-top Mercedes would be. Unfortunately that includes expensive, particularly when compared with Audi’s slightly larger A5. If you can live with that you will find the C-class to be a suitably indulgent companion with a great top-down driving experience and a wonderfully inviting interior.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Mercedes nails it. The C-Class cabrio is pleasant to drive but majors on open-top relaxation.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re after a relaxed cruiser, the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet is the best four-seat drop-top for the money.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 79%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 53%
Notes on safety rating
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used C-Class Cabriolet to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.
Eco rating
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet has not explicitly been tested for its emissions output, but Green NCAP has put the C-Class saloon through its paces – testing two diesel powertrain options that are also available in the Cabriolet range. Both vairants were awared three-star emissions ratings.
Please note that this rating stands for these specific model configurations, and not petrol models.
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 lower-than-average reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both this generation C-Class and older models, in saloon, coupé and convertible (Cabriolet) bodystyles.
More than a third of all reported problems with the C-Class relate to its electrical system, with an average repair bill of just under £500. The other area to look out for is the suspension, which accounts for around a fifth of repair claims. Again, the average bill for these was about £500. Gearbox problems are (unsurprisingly) the most expensive, with an average repair price of £1,600, but fortunately they appear to be relatively rare.
If you’re looking at a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential 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 | 37 mpg | D | 35 – 41 mpg | D – D |
| Diesel models | 50 mpg | B | 44 – 55 mpg | B – C |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 171 g/km | C | 157 – 187 g/km | C – C |
| Diesel models | 149 g/km | B | 133 – 167 g/km | A – C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 37 | C | 31 – 44 | C – D |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £244 | B |
| Year 2 | £616 | B |
| Year 3 | £1,014 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,265 | C |
| Year 5 | £1,719 | C |
| Overall | £4,858 | C |
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet can be a rather expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption for petrol models is poor, while diesel mpg figures meet the market average. Insurance premiums are on the expensive side, and maintenance costs over the first five years of ownership are predicted to increase year-on-year, getting rather costly by year five.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet has received
2017
- Auto Express Awards – Best Convertible
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi A5 Cabriolet | BMW 4 Series Convertible | Ford Mustang convertible | Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 to 2021) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz ratings, reviews, news and features
Buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
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