Overview
Now into its third decade of production, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has evolved into today's benchmark small luxury sedan. It gets just about everything right: performance, comfort, technology, as well as plush, premium feel and design. Regardless of trim level, the C-Class distills the luxury experience of Benz's flagship S-Class sedan into a compact footprint ideal for daily driving around cities and suburbs.
The C-Class starts with the 255-horsepower C 300 base trim, moves up to the C43 with about 60% more power, and peaks with the latest update, the mesmerizing C63 S E Performance. Introduced last year, the C63 is a plug-in hybrid that doesn't purport to offer any meaningful all-electric range (Mercedes has yet to announce a number), but instead combines gas and electric sources for an absurd 671 hp and mountains of low-end torque. While this C63 isn't as visceral as when it was governed by an equally over-clocked V8 engine, it remains atop the small luxe-sedan food chain.
While the C-Class sets the pace for the rest of the class, there are alternatives. The Audi A4, high-performance S4, and BMW 3 Series are the most comparable rivals to the C 300 and C43 trims. The Cadillac CT4 and CT4-V are more affordable homegrown options, but neither can match the Benz's overall quality and refinement. For now, the C63 outclasses even the mighty BMW M3. While the Benz lacks some of the agility and precision of these rivals, it delivers the most well-rounded experience of all.
Potent power with above-average fuel efficiency. Premium interior design and comfort. Advanced infotainment and safety tech.
Only average trunk space. Less sporty or dynamic handling than main rivals.
Small luxury sedans don't get more polished than the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Even its European archrivals can't match its interior refinement, sophisticated tech, or sheer power output in the case of the top C63 trim. While it lacks some of the handling precision of its peers, the C-Class sets a high bar.
What's New for 2025
Trims and Pricing
Pricing isn't available yet, but the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is available in three trim levels: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle. Each is available on the rear-wheel-drive C 300 or the all-wheel-drive C 300 4Matic sedans. We'll explain below why we think the well-equipped Premium is the best value. More enthusiastic drivers should consider the high-performance AMG C43 and AMG C63 S E models.
Premium
The rear-wheel-drive C 300 includes standard features such as 18-inch wheels, sunroof, hands-free-opening trunk, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, an 11.9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a five-speaker audio system.
Driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive high beams, parking sensors, and a self-parking system.
These ample standard features make the C 300 Premium sedan the best value of the lineup. Unless you need Mercedes' navigation system or an upgraded Burmester audio — both included in the next-level Exclusive trim — we think the Premium will satisfy most buyers.
Exclusive
The C 300 Exclusive builds on the Premium trim with navigation, a Burmester surround-sound system, a 360-degree parking camera, and enhanced anti-theft features.
Pinnacle
The C 300 Pinnacle adds enhanced LED headlights and a head-up display.
All three trims offer several options, including navigation (Premium trim), panoramic sunroof, leather and upgraded Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control. Rear-seat side airbags, heat- and noise-insulated windows, and extra USB ports are also available. More safety features come with the Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-change assist), while the AMG Night package dials up style and performance with a sport suspension, sport-tuned steering, 19-inch wheels, a synthetic leather-wrapped dash, and AMG body styling and interior accents, including a flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum sport pedals.
AMG C43
This AMG entry trim features a more potent 416-horsepower engine and only comes in Premium and Pinnacle trims. Upgrades include a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, rear-wheel-steering, a sport exhaust system, carbon-fiber trim, a flat-bottom sport steering wheel, sport seats, and four-zone automatic climate control.
AMG C63 S E Performance
The apex predator C-Class somehow extracts 671 hp from its combination of four-cylinder engine and electric motor. Upgrades include 19-inch wheels, enhanced all-wheel-drive, sport driving modes, a panoramic sunroof, navigation, and the Burmester sound system.
Options for the AMG models mostly mirror those for the C 300, but gloss black and carbon-fiber styling packages are among the AMG-exclusive extras. Upgraded sport seats, aerodynamic body trim, 20-inch wheels, high-performance drive settings, and a dashcam are among other AMG options.
Engine and Performance
The standard 2025 Mercedes-Benz C 300 comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 48-volt mild-hybrid system (255 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque), paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive (C 300 4 Matic) is optional. Mercedes says the C 300 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds.
The AMG C43 uses a more powerful version of the same engine (416 hp, 369 lb-ft of torque) and comes with standard all-wheel drive. In addition to sharper handling, this entry-level AMG reaches 60 mph in an estimated 4.3 seconds.
The AMG C63 S E Performance generates absurd power — 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque — from the same four-cylinder, aided by a supplemental electric motor. All-wheel drive is also standard and Mercedes claims the C63 can top 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The C63 is a plug-in hybrid, but there's not much all-electric range on offer here. Mercedes hasn't announced any range estimates, but we wouldn't expect it to be more than 5 to 8 miles. Electricity is here only to add power.
The C 300's performance is on par with competitors like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, but the C43 packs a stronger punch than the sportier Audi S4, which maxes out at 349 horsepower. The C63, meanwhile, blows its rival 503-hp BMW M3 out of the water.
For a distinctly American flavor, the Cadillac CT4 makes 237 hp, but also offers two high-performance models. The CT4-V jumps to 325 hp, while the top Blackwing model is rated at 472 hp.
Fuel Economy and Range
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet rated the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan's fuel economy, but it should be nearly identical to the 2024 model's. The standard 2024 C 300 returns an estimated 26/36 mpg city/highway (30 mpg combined), while adding all-wheel drive dips those estimates to 23/33 mpg (27 mpg combined). The more powerful AMG C43 takes an expected hit, returning 20/28 mpg (23 mpg combined).
The C63 S E Performance has not yet been rated.
The C-Class delivers comparable fuel economy relative to its competitors. The Audi A4, with its mild-hybrid powertrain, offers 26/35 mpg city/highway, while the BMW 330i is rated at 25/34 mpg and the 340i at 23/31 mpg. The base Cadillac CT4 delivers up to 22/32 mpg while the CT4-V is rated at 20/29 mpg.
Interior
The stylish interior of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is dominated by two large digital displays, giving the car a modern interpretation of luxury. The 12.3-inch instrument panel is free-standing rather than integrated into the dash, while the 11.9-inch center touchscreen is vertically oriented and slightly angled toward the driver to prevent glare.
Synthetic leather upholstery is standard, but leather and even plusher Nappa leather are optional. Buyers can also select from several types of wood or metal interior trim finishes. Behind the three-spoke steering wheel, the C-Class offers an excellent driver position, expansive exterior visibility, and an open, airy feeling that's a bit unusual in a Mercedes sedan. C-Class models equipped with the large, colorful head-up display give their drivers several format choices.
The C-Class sedan's 12.6 cubic feet of trunk space is decent and matches up with the Audi A4's 12-cubic-foot trunk. The BMW 3 Series is more versatile, though, with 17 cubic feet of space for luggage and cargo.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A highlight of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class' infotainment system is its 11.9-inch vertically mounted, tablet-style touchscreen. It houses the interface for the latest MBUX infotainment system featuring enhanced voice controls, smartphone/tablet icons, and individual profile settings that can be activated with touch ID. This helps prevent the inevitable messing with mirror positions or musical favorites when more than one driver uses the car. The "zero-layer" function is especially convenient since it keeps all major system controls in view on the "top" screen and alleviates excessive menu-diving.
For 2025, MBUX is updated with more variety from the Mercedes app store, including native Spotify, Amazon, and Apple streaming apps so they don't need to be accessed through your phone. The updated MBUX also features "Routines," which lets you tailor audio, climate, seat, memory, and other settings to various situations. A routine for an early work commute might automatically tune to a news radio station and activate seat heaters, for example. Routines can be user-programmed or "learned" from the integrated AI system.
Wireless connections to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the lineup, while audiophiles should consider the $2,050 upgrade to the Pinnacle trim level for the excellent Burmester sound system. It's not available as a stand-alone item for the base trim.
Safety
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has not yet been evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The (IIHS) did, however, name the identical 2024 model a Top Safety Pick, giving it top scores of Good across the board. Only the C-Class' standard pedestrian crash-protection measures fell short, rating a second-best Acceptable score.
The C-Class offers an optional Driver Assistance package with active distance, steering, and lane-change assist in a semi-autonomous, hands-on-the-wheel driving mode. Standard tech includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, parking sensors, and an automated parking system. A surround-view monitor is optional on the Exclusive trim.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. the Competition
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class combines some of the ultra-sophistication of the flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan with the futuristic feel of the new, all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, making it the new sweet spot for Benz ownership.
But the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series remain formidable competitors. The latter, while not as technologically advanced nor as refined inside as the Benz, is the most athletic of the group and is a great pick for drivers who prioritize more dynamic and responsive handling. Various iterations of the Cadillac CT4 are interesting alternatives, but none are as polished as the C-Class.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Audi A4
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. BMW 3 Series
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Cadillac CT4
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
TrueCar Expert Review Methodology
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