2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

We threw a rather hefty journey at our test car and, upon reaching our destination, we felt there would’ve been no issue had we receive a call asking us to return home for whatever reason.

This cabin is quiet and we’re not just talking about the C-Class keeping the wind noise at bay. In their efforts to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), the German engineers also tweaked the little things inside the car. In case you’re wondering why the power seats move about with so little noise, this didn’t happen by accident.

The seats also deserve credit for the relaxing feel of this Mercedes. There’s no armchair drama here, but they’re cozy enough to handle the well-being task.

They might have gone a bit too far when developing the climate control system though. In theory, it all sounds perfect, with functions such as GPS tunnel detection, which allows the car to activate the recirculation function to keep those nasty emissions out of the cabin. Oh and you also get a fragrance function.

From inside the car though, the climate control system, regardless of how many areas it has, feels overengineered. Sometimes, you simply want to set a temperature and enjoy it, but the vehicle feels like it’s constantly working to adjust things, which can generate a bit of unrest at times. We’ve had this problem in most new Mercedes-Benz models.

The fresh platform brings two elements that easily reach out to the one in the driver’s seat. The center of gravity is now lower, while the architecture of the front suspension allows the handling to feel more consistent.

This is also owed to the steering, which, like most systems we’ve tested on Mercedes-Benz models over the last few years, show a nice balance between a decent feedback and the right weight.

Sure, this is a battle where the BMW 3-Series remains the more playful car. In fact, you feel like the rear suspension setup is the one that keeps things within certain imposed limits on the C-Class.

Speaking of which, thanks to its new list of suspension options, the C-Class has not become even more German. First of all, you can choose between three versions: Comfort, Avantgarde (a bit of a sportier feel) and Sports. The last one lowers the ground clearance by 0.6 inches/15 mm, bringing it to 4.5 inches/115 mm.

With Mercedes being Mercedes, the C-Class can now be ordered with all-round air suspension. While the standard model is cozy enough in terms of the ride, the Airmatic air hardware brings the car into a different comfort class. The most benefits are felt out on the open road, where the car becomes even more settled.

In the powertrain department, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as complete as they get. Needless to say, the entire range of engines is turbocharged. It all starts with a 1.6-liter delivering 129 or 156 HP. Despite our initial lack of trust, the later unit proved it has enough grunt for everyday driving, with fuel efficiency sitting at 26 MPG (9 l/100 km) inside the city and 31.4 MPG (7.5l/100 km) on the open road.

Moving into the 2L area, while Europeans also get the 184 HP C200 and the 211 HP C250, affairs on US soil begin with the also-four-cylinder C300, which delivers 241 HP.

Next up, we have a 329 HP V6 C400 model, which only comes in 4Matic all-wheel drive guise. With its twin turbines, this one provides a sturdy kick, but if you’re looking for a sporty overall tune for your C, you’ll have to step into the new AMG Sport division’s area of expertise.

The C450 AMG Sport, with its 362 hp and 384 lb-ft (520 Nm) of twist, will give you just that.

If you’re aiming for a diesel, the most balanced option is the C220 d 2.1-liter engine, which is present here in its 170 HP version. Sure, the output figure, which includes a maximum torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) isn’t necessarily impressive on paper, but it will cope with most of your demands.

There’s no such thing as a performance diesel, at least not in the per se form. Yes, you can have a 231 HP or a 279 HP C-Class that goes to the diesel nozzle when you visit the gas station, but that’s because Mercedes uses diesel engines for the pair of hybrid models it offers.

While the first is a hybrid and the second is a plug-in hybrid, both make the 2015 C-Class a complete proposal. We haven’t gotten to driven any of the two though.

On paper, the same can be said about the Renault-sourced 1.6-liter diesel, offers with 116 HP (C180 d) or with 136 HP (C200 d).

With a bespoke engine management system and extra soundproofing, the engine manages to keep up with the overall level of the car, even on the highway.

If you want to opt for the 4Matic system, you’ll get a 44/55 default torque split, while this will also increase the weight by 155 lbs (70 kg). Nonetheless, the C450 AMG Sport’s all-wheel drive system has a more rear-orientated torque split.

As for the gearbox, the six-speed manual, which is standard on the smaller engines, does a good job and yet this is a vehicle whose character will always ask for the 7G Tronic automatic. As expected, Merc’s aging 7-speed auto keeps up with your comfort demands, but can’t quite keep up when you're in a hurry.

When it comes to the protection offered at such times, or on other potentially hazardous occasions, we'll give the C-Class eight out of ten. On the road, the Mercedes serenity is present and, coupled with the agility of the vehicle, it all leads to a stable driving experience.

Nonetheless, while the C-Class may offer the plethora of active and passive safety systems Mercedes-Benz has accustomed us with, its crash test ratings vary.

We'll start with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA has recently released the 2015 Mercedes C-Class crash test results and while these are good, the vehicle didn't receive the top five-star rating. The most important aspect that prevented the Mercedes from doing so is the four out of five stars earned following the frontal impact test.

Switching to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, we see the C-Class earning the top "Good" rating. Still, since the vehicle hasn't been subjected to the more severe front small overlap impact test yet, we don't know if we're talking about a Top Safety Pick Plus accolade or not.

Over in Europe, the Euro NCAP has offered the new C-Class a top five-star rating, with high scores for each of the Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist categories.

The competition is working hard to catch up though, but we wouldn't be all that afraid for the three-pointed star vehicle.

First of all, the 2016 BMW 3-Series that recently debuted may bring a serious improvement under the hood, but it's still a mid-cycle revamp. Audi promises to up the ante on all fronts with the all-new A4 and yet we still have to wait about one year before we'll be able to get our hands on one.

The best part of the 2015 C-Class is the premium aura of the vehicle. From the first moment you make visual contact with the new C, its styling promises this.

Climb aboard and that promise is taken further, while a drive will confirm the vehicle delivers on it. And while we've always found the driving experience in the S-Class a bit too isolated for our tastes, the C-Class never takes itself too seriously while delivering comfort. Pleasing.

Most of the things we didn't like about the C-Class are connected to its technical side. Some were imposed by the Mercedes-Benz etiquette and we're referring to the conservative handling here. Others are linked to the Areas where MB needs to upgrade things on a general scale, with the 7-speed automatic being the best example here.

As for the pricing, the C300 base model starts at $38,400, which doesn not include the destination charge. Over in Europe, the C160 begins at EUR26,625, including 19 percent VAT (German market). Nonetheless, we'd skip this and start with the C180, which has a starting price of EUR28,325.

The introduction of the new S-Class, together with the CLA, have created a bit of an upmarket chain reaction for the entire Mercedes-Benz sedan line-up, with the C-Class and the upcoming E-Class being sent upwards. As a result, the 2015 C-Class is now anything but junior. Its maturity represents the brand altogether.