As the brand’s top-selling model worldwide, the compact C-Class is often the first Mercedes
a person buys.
And as they mature through a life well lived, a flagship S-Class awaits them in their twilight.
But for 2015, Mercedes is giving their younger shoppers instant gratification in this all-new
C400 – a car commonly referred to as the baby S-Class.This complete overhaul of the
C-Class includes new model designations, a bigger yet lighter body, more powerful and
efficient engines, and extended all-wheel drive offerings.
Mercedes has gone all-in on this car and the result is magnificent.
The C-Class is no longer the gateway to the brand, that’s the CLA’s job now.
So this car has been repositioned as a luxury player with its sights set firmly on its bigger
brother, the venerable S-Class.
Of course, it can’t match that car’s limousine-like spaciousness, but in many other areas the
new C-Class plays as an abridged version of Mercedes’ most distinguished model.As a
critic of anything you typically shy away from using the word perfect to describe what
it is you’re evaluating, but the C400 is as close to perfection as it gets in the luxury
car segment.
Every change made to this new generation model just works beautifully; the more premium feel
is palpable in every aspect; from design to size to the powertrain to the electronics.
Each chess move Mercedes has made in elevating the status of the C-Class provides more satisfaction
without compromise, a rare feat indeed.
Well, there is perhaps one exception – this highly optioned C400 4Matic stickers for over
$64,000, but this is the car for the owner who wants every bit of goodness the C-Class
has to offer.
A base C300 4Matic can be purchased for almost $25,000 less.Currently only available as an
all-wheel drive sedan, the C400 replaces the C350 as the top, non-AMG C-Class.
A smaller 3.0-liter V6 is force fed by twin turbos to produce 329-horsepower and 354 pound-feet
of torque – significantly more powerful than the 3.5-liter V6 it displaces while besting
it in fuel economy – now rated at 21mpg city/29mpg highway and that’s with 4Matic.
The increased use of aluminum in the body has lowered the car’s weight by nearly 200
pounds while a smooth start-stop system, 7-speed automatic and improved aerodynamics further
the cause.
The wheelbase has been stretched by 3” so it’s longer and also wider, with that newfound
space bestowed upon rear seat passengers.
It’s certainly no S-Class back here, but with the front seatbacks precisely carved
out, legroom is sufficient and the seating is elevated so you don’t feel like you’re
sitting in a cave.
Despite an extra 2 cubic feet of passenger volume and an additional cubic foot of trunk
space, the C-Class retains its compact designation leaving plenty of room for the E-Class to
breath in the midsize segment.One of the S-Class trickle-downs is the optional air suspension
with agility select, a system of pre-configured drive settings ranging from ECO to Sport+.
The C400’s ride quality is above reproach, affording forgiving body motions like only
air springs can.
Sportier settings quell body roll and hunker the C400 closer to the road allowing it to
shoot through country passes with precision.
4Matic keeps each wheel loaded with the necessary amount of grip and the Direct Steer system
requires just the right amount of effort with utmost precision.
It’s fast, too – putting away 60mph in a very matter of fact 4.7-seconds.
But despite those numbers and the sexy AMG bodystyling, this is not an overtly sporty
car – it’s all about balance and pushing the dynamics further to their limits in both
directions.
It’s very quiet inside, a little tight here and there but overall luxuriously comfortable
and a car in which you always look forward to spending time.Though it’s become easier
to use over time, I’ve never been a big fan of the COMAND infotainment system.
But this new touchpad is a modern, welcome addition that adds a third way to interact
with the unit, joining the rotary knob and an assortment of buttons.
The 8.4” screen looks great and features like WiFi and Internet Radio ratchet up the
coolness factor.The appearance of the cabin, the execution and quality of the materials
and the panoply of rich features take the C-Class into a whole new realm.
My car has 5 key packages including a driver assistance group with executive sedan safety
offerings, a brilliant head-up display, a panorama sunroof and 19” Max performance
summer run-flat tires.
The C400 starts at just under $50,000 which is about half the price of an S550 4Matic.
In the new C-Class, Mercedes has found the perfect way to bring S-Class riches to a wider
audience.