2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Empty Nest Syndrome

It wasn’t that long ago that the C-Class represented Mercedes-Benz's down-market model. However, I think we all agree that the C-Class isn't very low as far as low-end models go. Then, in an effort to broaden its client base, the venerable German manufacturer introduced its B-Class to North America, followed more recently by its CLA-Class. Now the C-Class, like a couple whose children have left the nest, can finally have some fun.

Obviously, the C-Class can't go out Sunday afternoon and sip wine on a patio or go to Europe on vacation. It's a car, after all. So, instead, it did what any car celebrating its newfound freedom would do—it got bigger, more comfortable, more luxurious, more beautiful, more powerful and more prestigious.

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The C-Class' lines haven’t changed dramatically, but they are more dynamic than before with a nice ridge on the sides to highlight its sporty, sensual and modern nature—at least that's what they told us at the press conference. In any case, it's true that the new compact sedan features more presence than ever. The modified front end is more aerodynamic and while U.S. buyers will have a choice between the regular and AMG versions, only the former will be available in Canada. In my humble opinion, it’s just as well: the regular version with the big Mercedes star in the centre is much nicer.

The designers focussed most of their attention on the passenger compartment. The dashboard is brand new, but it meets Mercedes-Benz’s very high standards. Overall, that means that it's minimalist, features good quality and meticulously assembled materials, gauges that are easy to consult and some overly complex commands.

Longing for the days of two-button radios

A little like Lexus with its Remote Touch, Mercedes has Touchpad, an accessory that humankind has managed to survive without for 150,000 years or so. I imagine that if you tinker with the Touchpad for a few hours, you'll eventually be able to figure it out. The information you find with the Touchpad is relayed to the central screen that looks like a tablet added as an afterthought. If it was a touch screen instead, maybe Mercedes wouldn't have had to develop the Touchpad at all. Fortunately, most of the commands are also duplicated on the steering wheel or dashboard. Note that I was infinitely frustrated by the lady in the navigation system that clammed up at the wrong time or gave information at the last second—or a second too late!

Then again, the comfort of the front seats almost makes up for these small inconveniences. The back seats are roomier than the front thanks to the extra 7.6 cm in the wheelbase and the car is now 9.4 cm longer overall, which makes the trunk slightly larger (481 litres instead of 475), too. The rear bench is comfortable for two people (too bad for you, person number three!) but getting in and out is going to require some flexibility on the part of the occupants. The trunk is large and the 40-20-40 lowering seatbacks add to the versatility.

Two engines... for starters

For now, the C-Class offers two engines. The C300 gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder developing 241 horsepower and 273 lbs.-ft. of torque. This engine, contrary to what you may think, is totally different from the 2.0-litre found in the CLA and the B. The Germans have a true gift for simplifying things, don’t they? The C-Class’ 2.0-litre, paired with an excellent 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox, is very smooth and powerful enough for most people. The result of an impromptu 0-96 km/hr (0-60 mph) test was 8.2 seconds. At the end of the day, the read-out on the on-board computer was 25.8 mpg or 9.1 L/100 km.

The C400 has more spunk with its turbocharged V6 and produces 329 horsepower and 354 lbs.-ft. of torque. It accelerates quickly and with virility and can undoubtedly reach 0-100 km/hr in 7 seconds and change, but we’ll have to verify that once we can test drive it here at home. The on-board computer confirmed that our fuel consumption was 22.8 mpg, or 10.3 L/100 km. As always, the transmission – the same one used in the C300 – is impeccable, at least on public roads at nearly legal speeds. If the presenter’s silence and his smirk at the press conference in response to a journalist’s question mean anything, look for a diesel version very soon, along with a coupe (the current coupe is offered in 2015 but under the old generation) and a wagon.

All C300 and C400 cars sold in Canada have all-wheel drive. The vehicles test driven were fitted with Pirelli Cinturato P7 225/45R18 in front and 245/40R18 in back for the C300 and Continental ContiSportContact 225/40R19 and 255/35R19 for the C400.

Agile but not sporty

On the console, you’ll find Agility Select: a fancy name that refers to a system with four driving modes. The name may be a smokescreen, but the system is rather impressive. This device acts on the steering, accelerator response, the firmness of the suspension and the transmission, and the differences between the various driving modes are noticeable. For me, the most interesting of the four remains Sport mode, which gives the car good balance once you’re out of the city. Sport + mode is anything but boring, but unless you want to explode out of curves like a missile, I find it a tad extreme for the Mercedes compact.

This Sport+ isn’t unpleasant to use, but the new C isn’t a sports car like the BMW 3 Series of the Audi A4. It relies more on comfort, luxury and power than on pushing the limits. On the other hand, note that its handling is very, very good and that if the mood strikes, the owner can really have some fun. It’s just that it doesn’t feel as playful as a 3 Series. In fact, it’s more a question of feeling than it is capability.

The C400’s ride is unquestionably more pleasant than that of the C300, but it isn’t exactly a punishment to drive the C300 either. Regardless of the version, the handling is solid as I mentioned, the steering is precise and offers lots of feedback and the brakes stop the car quickly (although I didn’t take any measurements). However, I didn’t feel like they were working very hard – but that’s a good quality as it turns out. In fact, it feels like the brand new chassis could easily support a hundred more horsepower. And as luck would have it, the C 63 AMG is coming!

The new C-Class will arrive in dealerships in September 2014. The C300 starts at $43,000 and the C400 at $51,400. It goes without saying that very few consumers will leave with a basic C-Class, so expect those amounts to be considerably higher once you select from the numerous and often pricy options and options packages.