2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Stepping Into The Spotlight

Roughly 20 years ago – long before the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was a glimmer in an engineer’s eye - a group of auto executives gathered in a shadowy room nestled somewhere in the fleshpots of Munich and decided that the future of small premium sedans ran exclusively down the path of sporty driving dynamics, tightly-focused suspension systems, and exception steering feel.  It was thus that the BMW 3 Series became the standard of the segment, a luxury car that for a time prioritized handling and performance above all else and as a result of its immense popularity spawned a host of imitators rather than innovators.

No one ever gets ahead by playing catch-up, however, and I am pleased to announce that Mercedes-Benz has broken free from the repetitive cycle of trying to convince entry-level luxury shoppers that what they really wanted was a sports car with four doors instead of a prestigious and comfortable ride.  After driving the new model through the countryside surrounding Marseille, France, I have discovered that the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has turned its back on its cross-country competitor and instead looks toward a future where a Benz drives like a Benz, and is better for it.

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A More Traditional Luxury

From behind the wheel it’s clear that the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has traded the pursuit of gymnastic athleticism for the smooth precision of a professional billiards player.  Although some might desire more direct steering and less wallow while cornering, the trade-off with the completely redesigned C-Class is stability and comfort at almost every speed.  Save for the unwelcome interruptions of the sedan’s automatic engine start/stop system (the new black amongst efficiency-hungry automakers), driving the Mercedes-Benz is an exercise in composure befitting the image the company has built for itself in the mid-size and full-size segments.

New Power For A New Package

Don’t be alarmed if you’re a well-heeled adrenaline junkie: the full-on AMG edition of the car is coming, and it will no doubt scare the pants off of anyone with the temerity to push it to its limits.  In the meantime, there’s three more 'responsible' power plants available with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, all turbocharged and each featuring a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The entry-level 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit in the C300 will put out 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque once it reaches Canadian dealerships, which is a respectable improvement over the 211 horsepower European version of the motor that I sampled in Marseille.  I can only imagine that the additional grunt will aid in off-the-line performance, as the less-mighty edition was a little pokey when pushed hard.  I have zero complaints about the biturbo 3.0-liter V6 in the C400 4MATIC, however, which displayed an exceptional willingness to leap forward with the slightest provocation of the gas pedal.  329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of twist are respectable figures on the entry-level luxury scene, and the vehicle stacks up very well against the 3 Series, the Infiniti Q50, and the Audi S4 when it comes to eating up highway miles at a rapid pace.

A seven-speed automatic transmission is included with each and every version of the new C-Class, and while fuel consumption data has yet to be officially released by Mercedes-Benz, on the European cycle the sedan is 20 percent more efficient than it was the year before.  Those seeking the ultimate in fuel-sipping will want to wait for the turbodiesel version of the C-Class, which is scheduled to arrive several months after the fall delivery of the gasoline editions.  You can expect the base gas-powered C300 to be offered in both rear and all-wheel drive configurations, while the V6 C400 4MATIC will be AWD-only.  Look for the diesel to maintain a rear-wheel drive setup for maximum fuel efficiency.

Finishing School

Being pretty on the outside is a big part of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ personality, but just like that college crush you worshipped from afar, this entry-level sedan’s got a lot going on inside as well.  The C-Class features mature, organic lines and attractive proportions (including available LED headlights and standard LED tail lights), and like so many of its competitors it can be dressed up in sport-oriented trim or a more traditional look, each of which features its own unique front fascia.

Regardless of which version of the vehicle is selected, the passenger compartment is uniformly excellent in appearance and craft.  Available contrasting leather sport seats, several different types of well-executed wood paneling, and a simple instrument layout are highlights of the C-Class’ cabin, and the car also features generous room front and rear for passengers of all ages.  Mercedes-Benz has also done its best to stuff the C-Class with technology, including a raft of new safety gear borrowed from the pricier S-Class (follow-along adaptive cruise control, automatic braking at a wide range of speeds, collision mitigation, radar and stereoscopic camera sensors).

This influx of tech means that the good is balanced out by a few questionable features (there’s a car-perfuming system taking up valuable glove compartment space and a novelty touchpad extended over the car’s COMAND dial interface).  No one’s forcing you to add these particular items to the options sheet, however, unless you really want your Mercedes-Benz to smell like a nightclub full of hairy-chested, but well-coiffed men in sunglasses.

A Fresh Start For The C-Class

All signs point towards success for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.  It has each of the necessary tools – comfort, quality, style, and power – to make a strong play for entry-level premium dollars, and it does so without pretending to be something it's not.  This is a sedan that puts luxury first, with dynamics that are pleasing in everyday driving but which don’t cross the line into sports car territory.  The end result is increased investment in aspects of the automobile that most drivers will enjoy and less emphasis on lap times that few will ever post at their local road course.  Just because you’re not exciting doesn’t make you boring – sometimes it just makes you the sensible choice.  And the 2015 C-Class is very sensible, indeed.