C-Class Saloon

Released 2021

Mercedes-Benz's compact executive saloon (W206), sold in the UK as the C 250 and C 300 petrol mild hybrids and the C 300e plug-in hybrid, suited to buyers who want a comfortable rear-wheel-drive saloon.

Body: Saloon
Powertrain: Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power: 215–322 bhp
Range: 67 mi
Boot: 455 l

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the C-Class is quiet and comfortable on a cruise, with easy-to-use technology, and rate the C 300e plug-in hybrid highly for its long electric range and composed ride. The common criticisms are interior quality that trails rivals, a harsh ride on bigger wheels and less boot space than some rivals; Autocar found it short on driver appeal.

From autocar.co.uk, autoexpress.co.uk, whatcar.com and parkers.co.uk

Specifications

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Performance

Powertrain: Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power: 215–322 bhp
0–62 mph: 5.9–7.3 s
Top speed: 149–155 mph
Engine or motors: 1,999 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol: C 250 160 kW (218 hp) and C 300 190 kW (258 hp), each with a 17 kW mild-hybrid motor; C 300e 160 kW engine plus 100 kW electric motor, 240 kW (326 hp) system output; bhp converted from Mercedes' kW figures
Torque: 320 Nm (C 250), 400 Nm (C 300), 550 Nm system (C 300e)
Gearbox: 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic
Drive: Rear-wheel drive

Range and charging

Zero-emission range (WLTP): 67 miles
Battery: 19.53 kWh
Fastest charging: 55 kW
Economy (WLTP): 42.9–117.8 mpg
Range detail: C 300e WLTP electric range 67 miles
Charging: C 300e: 19.53 kWh usable battery; 11 kW AC (0–100% in 2 hours); DC up to 55 kW (10–80% in 20 minutes)
Efficiency: WLTP combined: 43.5 mpg (C 250), 42.9 mpg (C 300), 117.8 mpg and 15.1 kWh/100 km (C 300e)
CO2 emissions: 147 g/km (C 250), 150 g/km (C 300), 54 g/km weighted (C 300e)

Practicality

Body: Saloon
Seats: 5
Boot: 455 litres
Length: 4,766 mm
Width: 1,820 mm
Weight: From 1,747 kg
Boot: 455 litres (C 250, C 300); 315 litres (C 300e)
Towing: 1,800 kg braked, 750 kg unbraked
Size: 4,766 mm long, 1,820 mm wide without mirrors (2,047 mm with), 1,438 mm high (1,442 mm C 300e); 11.07 m turning circle; kerb weight 1,747 kg (C 250), 1,778 kg (C 300), 2,118 kg (C 300e)

Pros and cons

Pros

C 300e plug-in hybrid has 67 miles of WLTP electric range and 55 kW DC charging
Rear-wheel drive across the UK range
455-litre boot on the petrol models

Cons

The C 300e's boot shrinks to 315 litres
No diesel listed on Mercedes UK's current technical data

Closest rivals

Model	Body	Powertrain	Power	Range	Boot	Released
BMWM3 Saloon	Saloon	Petrol	523 bhp	–	480 l	Mar 2021
ToyotaMirai	Saloon	Hydrogen fuel cell	180 bhp	400 mi	321 l	May 2021
BMW3 Series Saloon	Saloon	Petrol, Plug-in hybrid, Mild hybrid	181–386 bhp	61–63 mi	–	Mar 2019

Sources

Photo: media.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com

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