The new 2021 Mercedes C-Class has impressive tech, comfortable seating and is packed with modern kit but does the smaller boot and minimal upgrades make it worth the fuss?
Mercedes has done it again. For what feels like the millionth time they are blessing our roads with another upgrade. This time, it is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class that got a fresh new facelift. A hugely significant car for the German car brand, with over 2.5 million of them sold since the fourth-generation car was introduced in 2014, we’re not surprised that they wanted to give it a new look.
Known for their stunning business cars, many drivers opt for a Mercedes for the flash designs, the latest mod-cons, and their sensible economical and quiet engines. However, the pressure is starting to pile on for cars like the Mercedes C-Class and its rivals. The C-Class, BMW 3 series and Audi A4 have always been known as the most popular company car choices but are now starting to feel the squeeze from legislation and pure-electric alternatives.
In the past, you would have picked the C-Class over rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 if you preferred comfort and luxury over sportiness. BMW’s are often seen as the sportier cousin of the luxury slipper Mercedes.
So how does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class stand with all this pressure? Read to find out.
What’s new?
So what’s new with the 2021 C-Class? Well, not the platform. The new C-class has kept a lot of the same tech from the current S-Class but it is physically bigger in every way (except the height). In typical Mercedes fashion, this new release looks just like every other Mercedes saloon but with a sportier touch.
The sporty saloon is slightly longer, wider and lower than before and the vertical taillights have been swapped out for horizontal ones. Small changes can be seen throughout the car’s design and, with the new colour and trim, it looks classy and very professional. The wheelbase and tracks are longer while the suspension remains double wishbone at the front and multi-link at the rear.
As is always the case with Mercedes, it has a good engine range. With plug-ins coming soon, the engines are all mild-hybrid four-cylinders. If your driving includes a lot of motorway miles then one of the diesel options may suit you best; while the plug-in hybrid model will offer super-low running costs if you charge it up regularly. Most drivers will be best served by the C200 petrol or C220d diesel. The C300d is punchy but still a four-cylinder, so no more refined, while the C300e hybrid is the modern, efficient yet pricey option.
What’s the cabin like?
The trends that have been copied from the S-Class on the outside follow through to the inside too. The cabin has a seriously plush and comfortable feel to it and this is all down to the abundance of leather seats and features and the modern ambient lighting. While there is still the odd bit of cheaper-feeling plastic in the lower reaches of the cabin, the interior oozes visual class and pizazz. As you’d expect from a Mercedes, the C-Class is comfortable and the seats and driving position are spot-on and it’s very quiet.
Technology is also a strong point with this new Merc, as the large central touchscreen brings plenty of features and controls more than just music and sat-nav, with even the climate controls positioned in the lower third. The 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen, as with many other features, has been pinched directly from the S-Class. The system is pretty intuitive and packed with an abundance of clever techie bits. Merc’s ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant gets more and more impressive with every upgrade and is the safest way of operating the system while you’re driving.
It all looks futuristic, and the screen’s graphics are exceptionally clear and slick and remarkably easy to use. While we don’t think it’s better than classic buttons, the clever system lets you sign in with a built-in fingerprint reader to have the car know things like your seat position, preferred radio station and typical sat-nav destinations. The screen is bright, clear and incredibly responsive and very easy to use even with an unsteady hand.
The C-Class’ cabin is more spacious than before as well. It comes with more headroom and legroom in the second row that still leaves room for adjustment in the front too. The saloon should easily be able to fit four adults comfortably and is great for those longer journeys. It is worth noting that the boot isn’t as big as in a BMW 3 Series but does feature some practical storage touches inside the car.
Conclusion
We have no doubts over the Merc’s cabin quality, which is frankly outstanding. The high-grade finishes and excellent seats feel a match for pretty much any of the car’s rivals. This crossed with the impressive tech makes the new Merc an impressive car. UK buyers mostly want something that looks great and will have heads turning as it drives down the road. And Mercedes has nailed this.
We might add that some drivers might find that the screen tends to catch the light more than a more vertically-positioned one would, damaging its practicality and the “new” features are just replicas from the S-Class. With that being said, it’s still a
great car from a trustworthy brand. Merc has yet to finalise UK pricing but the range will comprise four trim levels. To lease the new Mercedes C-Class, starting at £273.35 per month (inc VAT), click here. Or contact our team for more details.