Mercedes-Benz C Class

Angular Front Exterior View - 2010 Mercedes-Benz C Class 4-door Sedan 3.0L Luxury RWD

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Shopping for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C Class? MSRP: $34,800 - $61,430

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The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan introduced to the U.S. back in 1994 as the replacement for the 190 model. It served as the German luxury automaker’s entry-level model overseas until the arrival of the A-Class in 1997, but it remains the point of entry for the brand in the U.S. lineup.

This is right in line with pricing of rival models such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4, though, like all the models mentioned, once the options start to pile on the pricetag of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class can quickly shoot northwards. All C-Class models have seating for five but only four adults can comfortably fit inside. 

The first generation of the C-Class was a conventional sedan with relatively safe styling and a range of economical four- and six-cylinder engines. Of course, there was also a V-8 engine used in a high-performance AMG variant, of which only limited numbers were imported to the U.S.

The second generation of the car was launched in 2000 and adopted a more daring design dominated by curved surfaces. One year later a new three-door hatchback variant dubbed the C-Class Sportcoupe was launched but poor sales, brought about by its relatively expensive pricetag, saw the model removed from the automaker’s U.S. lineup in 2005. Despite its failure in the U.S., a successor to the C-Class Sportcoupe, the new CLC, was launched overseas in 2008. 

The current and third generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class arrived on the market as a 2008 model, complete with a brand new platform, upmarket styling derived from the bigger S-Class and new levels of quality and refinement. Most notably, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class set two distinct styles, with separate Luxury and Sport models that catered to different types of C-Class buyers (Sport models are our favorites, as they have better performance, and ride quality doesn't suffer). No major changes were implemented from then through 2011, with recent model years offering the choice of two V-6 engines--a 228-horsepower, 3.0-liter unit and a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter mill--as well as a 451-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 in the high-performance AMG C63 model. 

The 2012 model year marked a significant change for the C-Class. In addition to a light facelift inside and out, a new C250 model was introduced, with a fuel-efficient 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. C300 (228-hp six) continued, while C350 models gained a new 302-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. Also, a new Coupe model joined the range, as did the brilliant C63 AMG Coupe, with its 457-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 and 186-mph top speed.

Angular Rear Exterior View - 2010 Mercedes-Benz C Class 4-door Sedan 3.0L Luxury RWD

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