2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 4MATIC Review

Intro

If you're looking for a luxury sedan that combines elegance, performance, and technology, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 certainly deserves to be on your list. It is the entry-level model in the C-Class lineup but still offers plenty of features, style, and performance. 

For 2023, the C-Class has been completely redesigned with an even sportier exterior, a larger and more luxurious interior, and a more efficient yet powerful engine. 

Thanks to Mercedes-Benz Canada, I had the opportunity to drive the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 4MATIC for a week, and below is my unbiased review.

Exterior

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 has a sleek and sophisticated exterior design that reflects its premium status. The front grille is now wider and more masculine. It features the iconic three-pointed star logo and a chrome trim that extends to the LED headlights. The LED headlights are slim and sharp, with daytime running lights that form a distinctive eyebrow shape.

The side profile has a coupe-like silhouette with a long hood and a short trunk. A sloping roofline and sculpted bodywork give the C-300 an elegant yet dynamic vibe.

The rear end is clean and simple, with LED taillights that wrap around the corners and a sporty diffuser and dual exhaust tips. The C-300 comes with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, but you can upgrade to 19-inch ones for a more aggressive look.

 

Interior

The interior of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 is spacious, high-tech and luxurious. The cabin is made of high-quality materials such as leather, open-pore wood, carbon fiber, and metal overlays. The dashboard has a minimalist and modern design, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. 

The front seats are very supportive and feature-rich, with heating and ventilation options, power adjustments, and memory functions. The rear seats are also roomy and cozy, with enough legroom and headroom for most adults.

As with most Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the ambient lighting adds a touch of futuristic vibe to the atmosphere.

Infotainment

The infotainment system of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 is one of the highlights of the car. It runs on the excellent MBUX software, which stands for Mercedes-Benz User Experience. This system is intuitive, responsive and customizable, with features such as voice control, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot and more. You can also access various apps and services through the Mercedes me connect app on your smartphone. The sound quality is excellent, thanks to the standard 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system.

My only complaint is the excessive use of touch buttons throughout the cabin. They provide no haptic feedback and are often hard to use while keeping your eyes on the road. 

Safety

 The C-300 comes with a host of safety features that make it one of the safest cars on the road. Some of the standard features include:

• Blind spot assist
• Active brake assist
• Crosswind assist
• Attention assist
• Pre-safe
• Rearview camera
• Tire pressure monitoring system

 Some of the optional features include:

•  Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keeping assist
• Lane change assist
• Evasive steering assist
• Active park assist
• Head-up display
• Surround view camera

Driving

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 delivers a smooth and engaging driving experience that suits different driving styles and preferences. The engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and quickly. The C-300 also features a mild hybrid system that adds an extra 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque when needed. The system also helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

The engine is powerful and peppy, with enough punch to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The car also sounds good when you rev it up, with a subtle growl from the exhaust. The fuel economy is rated at 9.8 l/100km in the city and 7.1 l/100km on the highway.

The C-300 has an all-wheel-drive system that distributes power to all four wheels as needed. This gives the car more traction and stability on different road conditions. The C-300 also has a dynamic select system that lets you choose from five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. Each mode adjusts the engine response, transmission shift points, steering feel, suspension stiffness, and exhaust sound to suit your mood and preference.

On the road, the C-300 is a pleasure to drive, with a smooth and refined ride quality. The suspension absorbs most bumps and potholes on the road, while the steering is precise and responsive. The car also handles well around corners, with minimal body roll and good grip. 

Cargo and interior space

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 has a decent amount of cargo and interior space for its class. The trunk has a capacity of 455L, which is enough for some luggage or weekly groceries. You can also fold down the rear seats to expand the space to 1263L. 

In cabin storage options are plentiful. They include a large bin under the center armrest, a decently sized glove compartment, deep door pockets, and folding cup holders in the rear folding armrest.

Price

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 has a starting price of $41,600 for the base model with rear-wheel drive. If you want the all-wheel-drive option, you'll have to pay $43,600. The C-300 also has various packages and options that you can add to customize your car, such as the Premium Package, the Multimedia Package, the Night Package, the AMG Line Package and more. The price can go up quickly depending on your choices.

Conclusion

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-300 is a great choice for anyone who wants a luxury sedan that offers style, performance and technology. It shares the look and many features with its bigger brother, the S-Class, but at a more reasonable price. For someone looking for more performance, there are the AMG C43 and C63 variants, but the C-300 is a well-rounded car that can should satisfy most drivers' needs.