A touch of class: the Mercedes-Benz C220d.
A touch of class: the Mercedes-Benz C220d.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has long been a thorn in the side of BMW’s 3 Series, especially in more recent times.
It has improved drastically over the last 15 years or so, also taking a sword to the likes of the Audi A4 and, more recently, Jaguar’s XE. But, of course, Tesla's Model 3 is also in the mix, along with Volvo's S60.
So how good is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class? Well, it certainly looks the part nowadays.
A more rounded grille creates a mean frown at the front, especially on the AMG Line models. At the same time, the C-Class has more of a swept-back coupé feel to the rear, taking inspiration from its bigger sibling, the CLS.
You get a lot of equipment as standard, too.
Even the entry-level Sport gets kit including 17-inch alloys, adaptive high beam assist, agility control suspension, cruise control, LED High-Performance headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and keyless start/go.
The AMG Line gets sports suspension with selective damping, 18-inch alloys, AMG exterior styling including a patterned grille, larger front brake discs, privacy glass, brushed stainless steel pedals, sports steering wheel and ARTICO leather upholstery.
It is the AMG Line Premium that I’m testing. So, you get all the above, plus the option of 19-inch wheels, illuminated door sills, electrically adjustable memory front seats, steering wheel and door mirrors, augmented reality sat nav and a 360-degree camera.
You can also upgrade to the AMG Line Premium Plus, which adds a head-up display, four-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof, as well as a 13-speaker surround sound system.
There is a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines ranging from 1.5 to 2.0-litres, all of which come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. I went for the 2.0-litre C220d (yes, the ‘d’ means diesel).
Apart from the plug-in hybrid version, every other engine in the range is a mild hybrid nowadays. So, you also get a small 20PS electric motor which, in this case, adds to the car's standard 200PS. Of course, you don't drive it any differently from a non-hybrid, so there's no need to worry about battery charging or plugging anything in. But the car can't run on the electric motor alone.
My C220d test model gets from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, topping out at 152mph. It matches the figures of the petrol C200, but it’s 1.5 seconds slower to 62mph than the bigger C300d, which is the quickest in the range (apart from the full-beans AMG models, of course).
However, in my view, the C220d is the pick of the bunch. It has good low-end grunt, with more torque than its petrol equivalent. While it’s not as quick as the C300d, it’s just as refined, but as a middle ground of good fuel economy and performance, the C220d is the one to go for.
The nine-speed automatic gearbox sounds like the Merc may have too much choice and be constantly shifting gears, but it is well refined and smooth.
My vehicle is fitted with the optional adaptive suspension. Unfortunately, cars tend to be set up for either comfort, so they're not as agile, or for performance, so they're not as comfortable. But the C-Class’s adaptive suspension adjusts as necessary, giving you the best of both worlds.
It is also helped by five driving modes: Comfort, ECO, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Comfort does what it says on the tin, softening things up, so it's as absorbent as possible. Meanwhile, ECO mainly focuses on limiting the power delivery to maximise fuel economy. Sport mode firms everything up, restricting body roll in the bends. Sport+ takes it to another level, but you’ll likely feel the lack of comfort in this mode. Individual allows you to set up each element as per your preferences via the infotainment system.
The C-Class’s handling is up there with its main rivals from Audi and BMW. However, the Mercedes-Benz is set up in a slightly more sophisticated way versus the sheer thrills and fun provided by the 3 Series.
Wind and road noise is negligible, so the C220d is quiet at motorway speeds. Plus, emissions for the C220d measure up at 125g/km of CO2, while it’ll do around 57.6mpg.
The interior is as premium as you could hope for, and, in terms of looks, it’s excellent. The steering wheel is thick yet well-sized and sporty. Meanwhile, the infotainment screen blends into the shape of the centre console at the bottom but becomes an independent tablet by the time your eyes reach the top of it.
It looks utterly sublime, and the system is responsive with a high-resolution display. Plus, it’s simple and easy to use.
The digital instrument display is excellent, providing information such as sat nav directions and what you’re listening to through the audio system. There are various other navigable menus, too.
Finding a comfortable driving position is easy, helped by the electric steering wheel adjustment, electric seats, and adjustable lumbar support. In addition, the AMG Line Premium gets memory settings, making things even more straightforward.
There is good visibility out of the front, too. Mind you, looking out of the rear can be a challenge due to the sizeable pillars. But a reversing camera and parking sensors are standard throughout the range, while my test car also included a 360-degree camera.
The front is reasonably good in terms of space, with considerable head and legroom. The rear isn’t quite as roomy, although it is bigger than previous C-Classes. Nevertheless, three adults in the back are still more suited to an E-Class or S-Class. But you’ll fit three kids in without a problem.
The door bins are generous in size, while the glovebox is ok, and the centre armrest is pretty accommodating.
You get 455 litres of space in the boot, which is less than an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. However, Mercedes-Benz would argue that an estate version is available if you need more space. Fair enough. But don't fret; it's still fine for a decent-sized shopping trip or a set of golf clubs.
The seats fold down in a versatile 40:20:40 split, increasing the boot space to 1,510 litres, although it’s reduced in the plug-in hybrid variant.
Regarding safety, the new C-Class hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP. But the old one was awarded a five-star rating, scoring 92 per cent for adult occupants, 84 per cent for children and 70 per cent for safety assists – and that was back in 2014.
The last 18 Mercedes cars put through their paces have received five-star ratings. So, even though Euro NCAP made its tests more stringent in 2020, there should be nothing to worry about.
Automatic emergency braking, active blind spot assist and active lane-keeping assist are standard throughout the range, along with tyre pressure monitoring and airbags.
Overall, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is good-looking, while the very nicely laid out interior will likely win plenty of admirers.
Furthermore, the C220d is a great engine choice, balancing fuel economy with performance and exceeding equivalent petrol models' low-end acceleration.
| Mercedes-Benz C220d AMG Line Premium Saloon as tested) | |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 152 mph |
| Acceleration | 0-62mph in 7.3 secs |
| Fuel economy | 58.9 mpg (WLTP) |
| Engine layout | 1993cc four-cylinder turbocharged diesel |
| Max power | 220 PS (including 20PS mild hybrid electric motor) |
| CO2 emissions | 125 g/km |
| Price | £45,990 |
