The updated 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class provides the luxury of the S-Class at a lower cost

The four-cylinder turbocharged C 300 has become more powerful this year, and the 48-volt soft hybrid system is a whole new addition. While on paper the performance looks impressive (especially the extra 148 pound-feet of torque from the electric motor), the reality is that acceleration is acceptable rather than impressive. Departure from the stop is smooth, unbeaten and – thanks to electric assistance for the first few miles per hour – silent. The engine starts imperceptibly when you pick up speed and the transmission never gets into the wrong gear.

But the C 300 estimates the acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is 6.0 seconds, actually slower than the quoted Mercedes 5.7 seconds for the previous generation. Moreover, the new regenerative braking system, which powers the battery and electric motor, makes the action of the brake pedal too soft and soft. While the lack of grip allows you to stop gradually and smoothly, you have to press the pedal far enough to actually stop the C-Class. It’s not exactly the same as braking a big truck like a Ford F-150 or a Chevy Tahoe, but it’s close. The steering is typical of a small luxury sedan these days – it’s a little light and not noticeable in standard Comfort mode. Choosing “Sports” increases effort when you are moving from a dead center, allowing you to more accurately determine which direction the tire is facing.

How comfortable is the C-Class?

The 2022 C-Class sedan has a fairly comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and cracks in the pavement without transmitting too much unnecessary roughness to the cabin. However, the suspension setup certainly doesn’t lean too far in the soft side; Mercedes (and perhaps C-Class buyers) prefer the more attractive and lively feel of this small sedan. For example, when attacking the square edge of the highway in the cabin one knock, but no residual shudders and oscillations. For example, you may not hear or feel such a blow in the S-Class, but the C 300 also doesn’t feel fragile when faced with rough things. This is quite typical of small luxury sedans; competitors such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 lack the softness of their more expensive siblings, but they are a little more enjoyable to drive given their more connected sense of the road.

Our test C 300 was equipped with the AMG Line package from Night, which, among other additions, includes front sports seats with slightly thicker side struts than standard thrones. The seats have a lot of cushions and a lot of adjustments, so finding a comfortable position behind the wheel did not take long. It should also be noted that heated front seats are still standard, but now you can add ventilated seats in combination with standard upholstery from MB-Tex leatherette – before you had to choose leather. Wind and tire noise was a bit more than expected during our initial ride, but that could be due to the 19-inch wheels of the AMG Line package and the Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires.

How is the C-Class interior?