2022 Mercedes-Benz C200 review

For years, the entry-level Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been the one to avoid. An underwhelming engine and questionable ride quality have long plagued the bottom end of Merc’s mid-sizer, meaning buyers had to open their wallets even further if they wanted a polished driving experience.

Intriguingly, though, things have changed for this all-new fifth generation. Mercedes hasn’t only improved the C200, it has transformed it to such an extent that it’s now arguably the pick over the more expensive C300.

Surprised? Us too. Read on to understand why.

Pricing and Features

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The downside to this newfound appeal is a sharp price rise for Merc’s entry-level C-Class. The C200 is now $12,000 more expensive than before and starts at $78,900 before on-road costs.

Mercedes justifies the hike through the inclusion of more standard equipment, which we’ll get to soon, but there’s no escaping that entry to the C-Class range is noticeably higher than the opening salvos from its rivals at Audi and BMW.

A base Audi A4 35TSI starts at $57,700, while a BMW 320i will set you back $70,900. Another rival worth considering if you’re a keen driver is the Jaguar XE P300, which for $67,461, offers a punchy 2.0-litre petrol and class-leading dynamics. All prices before on-road costs.

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Where the C200 hits back is with the level of its standard specification. This is a richly trimmed and tech-infused luxury sedan that feels every bit of its circa-$80K sticker price.

Aussie cars score AMG Line exterior styling as standard for a sportier look and the new C-Class certainly cuts a handsome figure with its twin power domes on the bonnet, more cab-rearward design and two-piece tail-lights that are now split by the boot opening (a first for C-Class).

It feels like a baby S-Class on first blush and also seems noticeably larger in the metal compared with the previous W205 C-Class. Dimensions are up for this W206 generation, with overall length boosted by 65mm and the wheelbase is stretched by 25mm.

Most of that additional room is felt in the rear seat where there is noticeably more knee room. C200s ride on 18-inch alloys as standard, however our tester was rolling on optional 19s.

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But if the exterior is sleek, it’s the new C’s cabin that brings the wow factor. Again it mimics the design of the S-Class and it feels modern and loaded with tech. Large digital screens dominate.

The driver display is a 12.3-inch screen that’s configurable through multiple display themes and modes but it’s the huge 11.9-inch central touchscreen that really captures your attention. Subtly titled towards the driver by six degrees, it’s a beautiful, high-resolution screen that also majors on functionality.

Clear graphics, intuitive menus and the latest version of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system all feature and different user profiles can be loaded by using a fingerprint scanner near the bottom of the screen.

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Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as you’d expect at this price point, and the C200 delivers one of the best CarPlay experiences I’ve ever encountered.

It makes full use of the screen’s size and crisp graphics, but it also leaves a small rectangle at the bottom of the touchscreen for the HVAC controls rather than burying them within a sub-menu. It’s a pleasing mix of technology and functionality that many manufacturers get wrong.

Other equipment highlights include a superb 360-degree surround-view camera, keyless go, electric sports seats trimmed in Artico (a man-made leather substitute), Nappa leather sports steering wheel, sat-nav, and LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assist that prevents you from dazzling oncoming traffic.

But if the exterior is sleek, it’s the cabin that brings the wow factor. It mimics the design of the S-Class and it feels modern and loaded with tech

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The safety suite is extensive, too. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, attention assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system are all standard, as are 10 airbags, including one between the front passengers.

What you miss out on is Mercedes’ Driver Assistance Package Plus, which bundles desirable active systems like traffic sign recognition, rear-cross traffic alert and semi-autonomous functions that allow the car to follow its lane, change lanes automatically and stop/start itself in heavy traffic.

Those systems are standard on the C300, which is the only other variant currently available in the Aussie C-Class line-up. It also adds a larger 2.0-litre turbo engine for a noticeable bump in performance thanks to outputs of 190kW/400Nm and a 0-100km/h claim of 6.0 seconds (the C200 is 7.3sec). The C300 starts at $90,400 before on-road costs.

A number of option packs are available for the C200, including the Sport Pack which adds 19-inch wheels and privacy glass for $1700 and a Vision Pack that, for $4100, fits a sliding panoramic sunroof, head-up display, augmented reality for the sat-nav and heated/memory front seats.

Comfort and Space

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Photo: Supplied

Slip inside the C200 and you’re immediately rewarded with a driving position that feels natural and offers ample adjustment. Aussie cars gain ‘sports’ seats as standard that are electrically adjustable and offer excellent support.

There’s a decent amount of room, too. A longer and wider body mean there’s now more head, shoulder and knee room than before in both rows of seats.

Rear-seat comfort wasn’t ideal in the previous C, but the new car is a noticeable improvement. Adults won’t feel cramped, even seated behind six-foot front passengers, though one area that could benefit from more room is the boot which offers 455L of luggage capacity. An Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series each offer 480L.

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Photo: Supplied (C300 pictured)

Cabin refinement is a strength, both around town and on coarse-chip Aussie highways. Road noise and tyre roar are kept nicely in check, which is impressive given our test car’s optional 225/40 (f) and 255/35 (r) R19 lower-profile rubber.

Even better is how well the C200’s cabin stacks up against the more expensive C300. Both feature the same twin-screen layout, rich materials mix and seats. The two cars present so similarly that this writer, for one, would be hard-pressed to tell them apart on interior presentation alone.

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Photo: Supplied (C300 pictured)

So there’s lots to like, but there are some weaknesses. Take the time to examine the cabin materials more closely and you’ll notice some feel thin and insubstantial, which erodes the initial sense of premium-ness a little. The sense of quality also feels a little superficial.

Our test car had a few unwelcome buzzes on the move and the dash insert squeaked when pressed. Don’t get us wrong, this is a luxurious cabin that trounces its rivals for glitz and glamour, but it’s not on the same level as Audi for solidity and quality.

On the Road

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Remember how I said the C200 had elevated itself to arguably being the pick of the C-Class range? Well, the closeness of its interior presentation to the C300 is one example, but how it drives is really where the C200 has come on in leaps and bounds.

The first improvement you notice is the engine. The M245 1.5-litre unit is a new-generation engine and it feels energetic and suitably premium. Performance is stronger than its on-paper outputs of 150kW/300Nm suggest and it hasn’t just been tuned for low-end torque either.

There’s revvy goodness to be had at the top of its operating range and it even sounds relatively rorty thanks to a subtle sound symposer.

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On challenging Aussie B-roads the chassis strikes a sweet balance between comfort and sportiness … assisted by steering that’s crisp and accurate

The 48-volt mild-hybrid system has also been seamlessly integrated. The system in the old C-Class was a belt-driven set-up but in the new car, a small electric motor works in tandem with the petrol unit.

It provides an additional 15kW/200Nm of performance and this ‘integrated started generator’ layout is noticeably smoother than the old car, especially in heavy traffic. In fact, the C200’s stop-start system is now so silky that it’s almost imperceptible.

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Ride and handling balance is another highlight. In the old C-Class, you needed to option air suspension if you wanted a respectable ride but in the W206, it’s the ‘standard’ passive set-up that is superior.

Air suspension is available as part of a $3400 Engineering Pack that also adds rear-wheel steering, but we’d avoid ticking that box (it’s currently unavailable due to the semi-conductor shortage, anyway, but it will return).

Even on challenging Aussie B-roads, the chassis strikes a sweet balance between ride comfort and sportiness, with this newfound dynamism ably assisted by steering that’s crisp and accurate.

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The only real dynamic weakness is a brake pedal that feels spongy and inconsistent at the top of its travel. Push through that initial dead-zone, however, and the pedal is easy to modulate and delivers strong stopping power.

So no longer is the entry-level C-Class the dynamic minnow of the range. It’s a cohesive and rewarding car to drive quickly and while the C300 does deliver a desirable gain in performance (and thirst: the C200 drinks 6.9L/100km compared to the 300’s 7.3L), you won’t feel short-changed if you decide to save $12,000 and opt for the C200.

Ownership

Every new C-Class is covered by a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is noticeably superior to the three-year warranty offered by BMW. Service intervals are every 25,000km or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

Mercedes also offers servicing packages: a three-year deal is $2650, four years costs $3600 and five years is charged at $5200. Interestingly, that pricing is up to $300 less expensive than the old W205 C-Class.

VERDICT

Conventional wisdom tells us the higher you’re willing to climb up the C-Class range, the better your experience will be. But that’s no longer the case. Even in its most basic guise, the C200 is an attractive proposition.

It’s well-equipped, rammed with tech and delivers a nicely judged driving experience that has us questioning the value of the more expensive C300.

Yes, prices have crept north by a noticeable amount but with this new W206 generation, the entry-level C-Class has never been easier to recommend.

Above: Andy Enright drives the more powerful C300

2022 Mercedes-Benz C200 specifications