Mercedes-Benz SA has produced every iteration of the C-Class business-class sedan, and the W206-generation model is no exception. The newcomer has drawn a lot of praise for its more spacious, tech-focused interior and all-round ability, but does it live up to the hype?
We like: Superb engine and economy, tech-laden interior, refinement galore.
We don’t like: Small boot, some materials are cheap-feeling, price of options, steering controls will frustrate, expensive.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Mercedes-Benz C220d AMG Line
- Price: R1 008 749 (before options)
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel
- Power/Torque: 147 kW/440 Nm
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Fuel consumption: 4.6 L/100 km (claimed)
- Acceleration: 0-100 kph in 7.3 seconds (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 455 litres
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What’s new with the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Meet the all-new, W206-generation, Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Stuttgart-based luxury carmaker, despite its expansive and diverse product portfolio, still believes there’s a core customer group that will opt for a traditional sedan over a fashionable crossover or SUV… Since the C-Class made its debut, sales have breached the 8.6-million mark.
Irrespective of how this review pans out, cars such as the locally made C-Class demonstrate that South Africa is still regarded as a crucial manufacturing locale by car firms. Mercedes-Benz’s East London factory has been active since 1958 and currently employs over 3 300 people. In 2018, Mercedes-Benz Cars announced an investment of €600-million to expand the Border-region plant and, right now, it’s one of 3 factories that assemble the C-Class for the global market.
Mercedes-Benz has given the new W206 mild-hybrid powertrains – ICE engines supplemented with a 48V electrical system and integrated starter-generator (ISG) – to keep pace with the demands of greater efficiency. There are also claims that the vehicle’s materials and assembly process “set standards with respect to sustainability”.
For the South African market, customers can choose either a turbopetrol-powered C200 or a turbodiesel-powered C220d, with either Avantgarde (standard) or AMG Line trim levels. The new sedan is longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase has been lengthened by 25mm to create additional passenger space.
Rivals?
Despite the rampant popularity of crossovers/SUVs and, to put it bluntly, the ever-higher entry price of business-class sedans, this segment still offers excellent options if you’re looking for a comfortable, luxurious premium sedan. The C-Class’ fellow countrymen are its natural rivals, with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 jostling for position. The Audi A4 is focused on comfort, refinement and luxury, while BMW 3 Series has traditionally been the dynamic, best-to-drive option (not that it lacks any luxury features).
Alfa Romeo still has some skin in the game – the recently-refreshed Giulia sedan arguably offers the finest driving dynamics of the lot, but that badge may not carry enough prestige in this elite segment. For something different, Jaguar will sell you its XE, a nice-to-drive, well-appointed sedan. Finally, for some Japanese reliability, Lexus comes in with not one, but two entrants – the IS and ES – both of which feature hybrid petrol engines.
Compare the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to the BMW 3 and Audi A4 here
How the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
“Honey, I shrunk the S-Class” would be the perfect tagline for the C-Class’ design execution. Elements from Benz’s S-Class flagship (both exterior and interior) have made their way to the W206 and there’s no denying this is a fresh and modern-looking motor car, with the AMG Line’s gorgeously detailed grille and sporty-looking wheels further enhancing the kerb appeal.
The cabin, meanwhile, represents a huge leap forward for the C-Class, not only in terms of visual appeal, but the minimalist instrument panel and vertically-orientated, iPad-like infotainment system. Other highlights include the stitched dashboard, the ornate turbine-like air vents and the smartly trimmed – and rather expansive – fascia.
Performance and Efficiency
The C220d is powered by a mild-hybrid 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine that produces 147 kW/440 Nm and propels the sedan’s rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. The ISG (powered by the 48V system) is located between the engine and transmission and produces an additional 15 kW. Essentially, when your car is coasting, it’ll recover energy, which it then discharges when you pull away, or execute an overtaking manoeuvre, thereby reducing the engine’s workload and negating turbo lag.
Does it work? Yes, brilliantly so, and you can feel that tiny “electric booster” working away quietly. It also has the benefit of negating the intrusiveness of the start/stop system – you’ll find the car’s ignition restarts instantly and seamlessly when you pull away from a standstill (or at intersections).
When you hit the start button for the first time, you’ll notice the engine has a clattery idle, which is typical of a diesel motor. However, once the oily bits get up to operating temperature, the engine quietens down significantly. There are various drive modes on offer and they radically change the car’s driving characteristics. Sport and Eco are poles apart when it comes to power delivery and responsiveness, with the latter making the most of the car’s mild-hybrid tech.
Rattly cold starts notwithstanding, we can easily say this 2.0-litre diesel motor is the best in class for performance, efficiency and refinement. Without too much effort and despite being called upon to deliver bursts of urgent performance from time to time, our C220d test unit returned a figure of 5.5 L/100 km, which is highly commendable… we’re confident that it’ll dip under 5 if owners really put their minds to it. A fuel tank of 66 litres means 1000 km (from full to empty) is doable.
Ride and Handling
Right, so what’s the W206 like to drive? That engine delivers a great blend of performance and economy. If required, the car can get a real move on, with the 0-100-kph sprint dispatched in a claimed 7.3 seconds – that’s quicker than some of the sportier small hatchbacks. The thrust is always delivered in a quiet and unflustered manner, even when you stomp on the accelerator pedal. It’s only towards the top of the rev range that engine noise becomes really noticeable.
When you’re not in a hurry, the C220d gets down the road in a wonderfully refined and restrained manner. It’s hushed inside at two-digit speeds – proof that ‘Benz’s engineers were hellbent on replicating the S-Class’ on-road demeanour. Wind noise? There’s precious little, even when a moderate South Easter is huffing. Road noise? There’s a bit of that, depending on the grade of tar, but on a national highway at 100 kph – you can still whisper your conversations.
A key aspect of the C-Class’s excellent driving experience is that 9-speed transmission. Granted, you can take control with the well-placed paddle shifters on the steering wheel, but we found it best to let the transmission decide when to execute shifts, which it does smoothly. You’d think that with as many as 9 ratios, there’d be some hunting, but somehow, the ‘box is constantly in the right gear at the right time, and there’s no hesitation when downshifts are required.
Previous C-Classes have favoured ride comfort and on-road refinement over dynamism, unlike their rivals from Munich. However, the W206-generation C-Class’ handling feels markedly sharper and the steering feel is both quicker and well-weighted. Does it deliver a knock-out blow? Well, no, we’d still say the 3 Series and Giulia are more engaging and fun to drive, but the C-Class blows the BMW and Alfa Romeo into the weeds in terms of overall ride quality and refinement.
Over the years, Cars.co.za test team members have come to expect Mercedes-Benz test units to offer firm ride qualities. Perhaps it’s because most units that were supplied to us featured AMG Line packages, replete with sporty suspension tuning and oversized wheels shod with low-profile tyres, but, for the first time in what feels like an eternity, we’re delighted to report that the C220d’s suspension didn’t thump or clunk over even the slightest of road imperfections.
In fact, we purposely travelled to the tree root-infested Mamre road north of Cape Town to put the new C-Class’ underpinnings to the test and came away deeply impressed. If ever you wanted to inflict cruel and unusual punishment on your enemies, send them on a jaunt on that road in something like a Honda Civic Type R or BMW M4…
Comfort and Features
As we’ve mentioned, Mercedes-Benz has paid close attention to the W206’s comfort and luxury characteristics. The cabin is a marvel, both to look at and occupy. There are gadgets and design elements straight from the flagship S-Class, but that’s okay as the models have disparate target markets. The iPad-like screen looks intimidating, but you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly. The lack of physical buttons is initially a little disturbing, but again, it just requires familiarisation.
The materials used in the cabin’s assembly are a mixed bag. We used to lament the W205’s dashboard feeling cheap and nasty, and creaking upon the slightest push or prod, which thankfully has been rectified in W206. There are still some cheap touches though, such as the inside panels of the doors and the glovebox, which doesn’t shut with a reassuring thud. It would be totally acceptable in something like an A-Class sedan, but in a C-Class costing close to R1 million?
The controls of the multifunction steering wheel were a source of frustration too. Now, this isn’t the C-Class’ fault, as we’ve experienced these “capacitive toggles” in the E-Class Coupe. We were irritated by the gloss black plastic that got mucky quickly, plus the functionality was “not all there”. We had to swipe, tap, poke and prod numerous times before we got the desired responses. Good luck with adjusting the volume while on a call without taking your eyes off the road!
Any other gripes? Yes, the rear legroom – while it’s an improvement over that of the outgoing model, is still a bit tight for tall adults. What’s more, the C-Class’ boot capacity is the smallest in the class (455 litres). For what it’s worth, the BMW 3 Series offers up 480 litres, the Audi A4 460 litres and the Alfa Romeo Giulia 480 litres.
For a price tag of about R1 million, you get a lot of standard kit in the C220d, which makes up for a few of its shortcomings. The 2nd-gen MBUX voice control is brilliant. Say “Hey Mercedes” and issue commands like “I’m tired”, “Take me home” and so on… the results are sometimes entertaining, but always useful. This system will only get better; Mercedes-Benz is now offering over-the-air updates and the C-Class will receive upgrades that can be installed at your comfort.
If you’ve used any electronic tablet, you’ll appreciate the detail that has gone into the user experience of the massive portrait-oriented touchscreen, which positively dominates the central dashboard. Climate control functionality is close at hand, as are the audio controls. The system features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the former integrating neatly into the oversized screen. There’s wireless charging too – and more USB ports than you’ll ever need.
Price and after-sales support
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class range starts from R857 956 for the C200 Avantgarde, with this C220d AMG Line coming in at R1 008 749, before options. The new C-Class is sold with a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Option Package Pricing
Other options available (according to Mercedes-Benz SA’s website), include rear-wheel steering (R22 400), head-up display (R22 000), MBUX Premium Navigation (R13 900), a panoramic sunroof (R22 900) and a lane-tracking package (R14 400).
Verdict
Despite Mercedes-Benz embarking on its crossover/SUV offensive (that is to say raising the ground clearance of virtually every model and slapping a GL badge on it), there’s still a market for buyers who prefer NOT to go the raised-up-vehicle route. The sedan will always be the answer for that particular client base, which is why the Sindelfingen-based brand’s C-, E- and S-Class models endure.
With the new W206 C-Class, Mercedes-Benz has focused intensely on luxury and refinement, and it shows. This is easily the most comfortable and refined vehicle in the business-class sedan segment. “A baby S-Class” is an awful cliche, but there is a kernel of truth to it. While it’s not the most dynamic and involving offering in the segment, this is the sportiest C-Class yet.
Be mindful when ticking those options, as they add up quickly. For convenience, Mercedes-Benz has grouped some of its more popular options into well-priced packages.
Should you buy one? To reiterate, the C-Class range is currently limited to the turbopetrol-powered C200, which, according to our launch review of the W206, can feel a bit lethargic, and this, the turbodiesel-powered C220d. If you’re seeking excellent refinement and luxury in abundance, plus the bragging rights of that glitzy interior, then it’s definitely worth a look, because this, all in all, is the most accomplished C-Class to date.
If less than hands-on dynamics and a lack of outright driving thrills are not deal-breakers, the W206-generation C-Class is the new segment champion.
