2022 Mercedes C300 4Matic First Test: Can It Catch the Audi A4 and BMW 330i?
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class isn't any more the sportiest vehicle in its class than it ever was. Even when upgraded with the AMG Line with Night package, we still feel sportier rather than sporty. The C-Class must serve a far larger range of customers than, say, the more exciting Alfa Romeo Giulia and Genesis G70 sedans, so that's okay. For a driving experience that fell short of what Road Test Editor Chris Walton anticipated from a luxurious four-door with a three-pointed grille, the 2022 C300 AMG Line enhances the brakes and modifies the steering and suspension.
After driving it on the track, Walton remarked, "Pretty sporty overall, and more of a driver's vehicle than I expected it would be."
Some of the athletic sensations of the C300 AMG Line carries over to the street, but the steering lacks the directness of the sporty Giulia and G70, winners of MotorTrend Car of the Year. The Audi A4 outsprints the Benz to 60 mph, but the Benz is more competitive here. Our 2022 Mercedes C300 test vehicle, which had 4Matic AWD, had a 255-horsepower turbo inline-four and a nine-speed automated transmission. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Due to its 48-volt electrical architecture's ability to turn the engine off when coasting down a moderate incline or to quickly enhance power and torque, this powertrain is regarded as a mild hybrid. Although the fundamental technology is not exclusive to Mercedes, the C-Class; a six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine was the absolute best part of the E450 4Matic we drove for a year.
In terms of the Audi, the 261-hp 2022 A4 AWD we tested reached 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, easily outpacing the Benz and the 5.5-second 2020 BMW 330i with xDrive AWD. All three German automakers are beaten to 60 mph by Tesla; the most recent Variant 3 we tested was an RWD model, and it did it in 5.0 seconds. You are the actual victor in this. We're amazed that the Mercedes maintains up with this group considering its as-tested 4,014-pound curb weight given how fast regular automobiles have grown.
Braking And Figure-Eight Performance
Additionally notable is panic-braking performance from 0 to 60 mph. Compared to the Audi, the BMW, and the Tesla, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic stopped in 112 feet, 114 feet, and 128 feet, respectively.
In other words, despite the pedal feel being average and the first reaction being a little numb, the braking distance is better than anticipated. On the street, we shared the same emotion. The nine-speed automatic, which occasionally provides changes that need to be less abrupt in regular driving, makes smooth slowdowns more challenging.
The MotorTrend figure-eight test, which measures braking, acceleration, and handling as well as the changes between them, saw the 2022 Mercedes C300 perform admirably. The Mercedes completed the circuit in 26.3 seconds at 0.67 g (average), barely ahead of the BMW 330i and behind the Audi A4 (25.9 seconds at 0.70 g average) (26.6 seconds at 0.66 g average). With a time of 26.4 seconds and an average g of 0.69, the 2019 RWD Tesla Model 3 came very close to tying the AWD C300. The fact that all of these automobiles are sporty at the limit is the key to this situation. On the figure-eight circuit, though, we had busy hands in the Mercedes. The car veered between feeling like it had all-wheel drive and feeling like it didn't because of this.
But Why Is It So Expensive?
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 performs admirably on the racetrack and also handles well on the road. Even though it does pound over heavier hits, the C300 AMG Line variant impressively absorbs most small road irregularities. We believe that many purchasers will consider the $3,050 to be well spent for the interior and exterior cosmetic changes as well as the performance upgrades. Once you've done that, you may as well add an additional $600 for the stunning multi-spoke wheels. Do you see where this is going?
This is how a vehicle with a starting MSRP of $44,600 with rear drive may go to $62,970 in the configuration you see above. Remember that the C300 standard does include a ton of text. The base trim, which includes popular features like a sunroof, automatic emergency braking with blind-spot monitoring, a power trunk (a convenient feature you'll appreciate), a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated front seats, and more as standard equipment, could satisfy a lot of people. Remember that unlike the 201-hp A4 that costs thousands less, the 255-hp C300 lacks a real basic engine. Therefore, there is a reason why the C-Class has one of the most costly base costs outside of a Tesla. It's not simply about features, which is fortunate since, owing to component shortages nowadays, you never know which features will be accessible. The vehicle seems well-built, as we noted in our first-drive review.
Any color other than non-metallic white or black adds $750 or more, while genuine leather costs at least $1,620 and 4Matic AWD costs a further $2,000. Additionally, our test vehicle incorporates acoustic glass for the windshield and front side windows, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, and other features. For our fully outfitted 2022 C300 4Matic test vehicle, the final price is $62,970. But isn't it lovely, isn't it?
But the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more than just a gorgeous face; it also offers a back seat with legroom that can compete with the more spacious E-Class. It's satisfactory for the compact class. The C300 4Matic also has a longer driving range than the AWD equivalents from Audi and BMW as well as every Tesla Model 3. This is due to a huge petrol tank. The new C-Class does most things correctly. Even oncoming speed bumps may be forewarned of by the vehicle, and the digital gauge cluster offers a few eye-catching graphic choices. The difficult-to-reach wireless phone charger and, yes, the bulky, hefty key fob for the automobile are two areas where we hope for improvement. Additionally, it's possible that a later infotainment update will enlarge the on-screen HVAC buttons. The touchscreen may become rather warm, and we're not sure how to make it more useful if you park the car outdoors in the heat.
We'll move past it. In comparison to the out-of-date model it replaces, the C-Class is more aspirational. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300, which follows the top S-Class in terms of style and technology, is undoubtedly competitive with its rivals. The C300 does not, however, leave the competition in the dust; rather, it provides enough performance, design, and technology to maintain it more competitive than in previous years.