2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC: The New Segment Benchmark

It takes all however 5 minutes behind the wheel of the all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC to substantiate my suspicions – Mercedes-Benz is presently engineering the world’s most interesting passenger automobiles. After all, that is a robust validation. Nonetheless, I am bestowing it on an automaker that’s credited with growing the primary vehicle (the 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen) and acknowledged for bringing superior security options similar to airbags (SRS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) to the lots. Mercedes-Benz is an innovator, chief, and its merchandise are universally revered.

Regardless of a considerable shift in the direction of SUVs and crossovers, with some automakers abandoning conventional sedans altogether, Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on its four-door automobiles and producing nice sedans. The all-new 2022 C-Class sedan, fully redesigned this 12 months, has simply emerged as the brand new compact luxurious sedan benchmark.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC driveline

Mercedes-Benz equips the C300 with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder combustion engine rated at 255 horsepower

and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine is complemented by “EQ Enhance” – Mercedes’ mild-hybrid know-how that makes use of an built-in starter-generator to offer a further 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft off torque for transient bursts (e.g., accelerating off the road or passing). The EQ Enhance system makes use of a tiny 0.9 kWh battery (conserving house and saving weight). Nonetheless, it does its job successfully, permits Mercedes to remove the heavy starter motor, and makes the beginning/cease system practically clear.

All C300 fashions are fitted with a 9-speed automated transmission. Whereas the C-Class is obtainable with rear-wheel-drive, the mannequin I examined was geared up with digital power-distributing all-wheel-drive (Mercedes-Benz manufacturers it “4MATIC”). The EPA has finalized gasoline effectivity figures for the Mercedes-Benz C300 Sedan (25 metropolis / 35 hwy / 29 mixed) and the C 300 4MATIC Sedan (23 metropolis / 33 hwy / 27 mixed). Throughout my drive, the three,957-pound 4MATIC mannequin indicated a mean of 35.4 MPG throughout the freeway portion of the testing, beating its EPA estimates.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC inside

The cabin of the brand new C-Class is gorgeous – it might simply be mistaken for that of an S-Class. It’s downright attractive in design, execution, supplies, and match and end. Whereas it initiatives an expensive total theme, Mercedes has completed a superb job making certain that the passenger compartment retains a barely younger and sportier aura.

The driving force faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel straight behind the three-spoke steering wheel. A second 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment show is mounted in portrait mode on the middle console. Each are straightforward to learn and use, however I want Mercedes had utilized a bodily dial for the audio/quantity management (haptic contact is rarely straightforward whereas driving down the street). The turbine-like spherical HVAC vents deserve particular point out as they ship plentiful airflow, are straightforward to place, and the middle knob permits everybody to inform if they’re open or shut at a look.

Passengers in entrance will look ahead to the seats, which have been sculpted to carry occupants snugly and comfortably. Whereas the entrance seats do not provide energetic massaging (just like the flagship S-Class), my check car had Seat Kinetics. The system makes refined changes to the occupant’s seat – as if the particular person is readjusting their place – and it is surprisingly efficient. These within the again seat will discover room to sit down behind six-footers with out feeling cramped, though no one desires to be the fifth passenger as the middle cushion is not molded for consolation. The second-row seats cut up and fold 40:20:40 for trunk entry and extra utility.

How does the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC drive?

Mercedes-Benz suits the C300 with Dynamic Choose to permit the motive force to configure the car to the driving setting. There are 4 commonplace driving modes (ECO, Consolation, Sport, and Particular person), however go for the AMG Line bundle, and a fifth mode (Sport+) is added to the menu. As anticipated, the varied settings alter the engine responsiveness, steering effort, throttle sensitivity, and transmission shift pace. Nonetheless, the impartial suspension doesn’t make the most of adaptive dampers, so the journey is unaffected.

On the street, the brand new C-Class sedan drives superbly – considerably exceeding the dynamics anticipated from this class of car. The chassis is vaultlike, and the tires effortlessly roll over bumps and imperfections within the street floor. Throttle response is fast off the road (the 0-60 mph dash ought to take about 6.0 seconds), and the transmission downshifts willingly for passing.

The C300 4MATIC is a sporty sedan, not a sport sedan (a title I reserve for automobiles with extra energy and aggressive suspension tuning). On that notice, the four-door is completely snug tackling a twisty canyon street, but it can lose its composure if pushed too onerous (preliminary blame is pointed on the all-season tires, as they’re first to throw within the towel).

Whereas the motive force has the very best seat in the home and probably the most accessible entry to the know-how, passengers will discover the C300 an equally pleasant and cozy journey. The cabin is quiet (except the out there Burmester surround-sound audio system is rocking), and the MBUX system features a hands-free synthetic intelligence voice management system (commanded with a easy “Hey Mercedes”) that allows many operations from any seat.

Mercedes-Benz has additionally fitted the C-Class with the most recent security instruments. Normal tools features a driver monitoring system, pre-Secure ahead collision preparation know-how, automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Help.

How a lot does the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC price?

Mercedes-Benz will provide the 2022 C300 with a beginning value of just below $44,000 and the C300 4MATIC with a beginning value of about $46,000. The range-topping Pinnacle trim begins at just below $48,000.

Who can buy a 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC?

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a premium compact luxurious sedan focusing on a younger and prosperous viewers in search of a trendy, modern, protected, and technically superior sedan. Final efficiency isn’t a main goal, but driving dynamics should be world-class and uncompromised. This discerning purchaser is probably going new to the model, and the C-Class would be the first of their many Mercedes-Benz merchandise down the street.

Is the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC a great car?

The all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC is the very best premium compact luxurious sedan I’ve pushed in a few years – it has earned the coveted spot as the brand new benchmark within the phase. Nicely-engineered, superbly crafted, and a pleasure to drive, the usual C300 is simply the primary of a spread of latest C-Class fashions that can hit the market over the subsequent a number of years.