It MAY Be Entry Level C-Class

It MAY Be Entry Level C-Class

Today is the day where I finally write about the facelifted W205 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Avantgarde variant which I managed to try out last November during the media drive in conjunction with its Malaysian launch. So the C200 is the base C-Class variant here usually. This time, the entry level C200 comes in the Avantgarde specification form. This is the slightly sportier variant which sits above the Classic variant and slightly below the AMG-Line variants. Prior to this facelift, the C200 was sold in Classic and also AMG-Line variants. It was extremely popular in the AMG-Line variant which was sold prior to this facelifted model being launched. Anyway, enough about the history of the W205 here in Malaysia and let us move on with the review of the C200 Avantgarde. The facelifted 2019 Model Year Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde (AV from now onwards) gets the usual facelifted bits of the W205. New light clusters front and back, a new front and rear bumper design, which gets a sporty looking 鈥榅鈥?designed bumper vents. Quite like the AMG-Line bumper but with a less aggressive design, slightly softer in terms of its lines.

The lights are also slightly better looking, in keeping with the facelift philosophy. 18inch multispoke alloy wheels finish off the exterior change. All of these make the C200 AV quite a good looking, but not overtly sporty in nature. It sits in between the Classic and the AMG-Line in terms of looks as in AV form uses the sportier logo in grille styling. As for the interior, it gets a digital instrument cluster and a larger centre infotainment screen. These two changes actually make the facelifted C200 AV look extremely nice. The screens have more colour in their usual display format. It makes the interior feel very 2019 in terms of visual displays but still nicely melding with the classy interior of the W205. The larger infotainment screen looks its part in making the C200鈥檚 interior look expensive, which is a good thing in a premium compact sedan. Aside from that, the interior is as sublime as ever.

As I have been writing about, the W205 C-class鈥?interior actually moved the benchmark in terms of premium compact car interiors. From the luxurious looking multiple air-vents, to the nicely sculpted seats and the materials used, the W205 C-Class actually moved the goalposts on how an entry level premium sedan鈥檚 interior should look and feel like. Call me a fanboy, but after sitting in many a competitor鈥檚 car I still feel that this is the interior that makes you feel like you鈥檝e actually made it in life. Unless you buy an E-Class or a S-Class that is. So essentially, you do get better instrumentation inside and the rest feels as good as it ever was. 184hp) and 160Nm from what Mercedes-Benz calls the EQ Boost system. This is essentially mild hybridisation technology in play here. The new EQ Boost system of the C200 here is actually a smart starter / alternator combo system which actually adds power to the engine (via the crankshaft). So whilst the main engine seems to be a tiny little tot, this additional EQ Boost system helps this small capacity engine out a bit. The C200 AV drives quite well with this small powerplant.

Now being a 1.5liter engine, even with some mild hybrid boosting, it does feel a little flat when you鈥檙e gunning it. On the way up to Cameron Highlands via the superbly undulating Sungai Koyan route it felt adequate in terms of power delivery. Only higher up the rev-range it struggles and it feels like a small little engine up in the higher rev-range so there is still no replacement for actual displacement. No matter how smart this new powertrain may be. Of course it is lucky is has a nicely spaced gearing to go with it - the gearbox helps make up for the smaller capacity by being in the right gear. But do note, this is still something with over 285Nm of torque and would easily do the 0-100kmh mark in under 8 seconds easily. We are talking in relatives here of course. In terms of ride quality, this C200 AV rides well for its 18inch wheel and tyre setup. There is some improvement in terms of ride quality ( and less road noise) compared to the pre-facelift C180 and C200 (non AMG-Line variants).