2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sedan Review Notes

2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sedan Review Notes

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic is perhaps the most elegant sedan among its competitors. I鈥檇 argue it beats the latest generation of the BMW 3-series and Audi A4 in appearances. Inside and out, it鈥檚 classy, offers a veritable hint of sportiness, and reflects the tradition of the brand with a road-going execution. The dynamics are above average for sporting-oriented sedans. The C300 feels planted, taut and has an appropriate amount of steering weight. The average consumer will really enjoy the experience, but the enthusiast will also like the interaction. It鈥檚 competitive with the 3-series, yet I鈥檇 still argue BMW鈥檚 offering is a bit sportier. For an all-wheel-drive car, the Mercedes feels surprisingly spry. Sitting in the driver鈥檚 seat, the occupant really feels close to the ground and concentrated. I like the seven-speed automatic, and when driven in Sport mode it鈥檚 aggressive, grabbing gears to propel it along the interstate with verve and vigor.

There鈥檚 a touch of throttle lag when punching the pedal, but it鈥檚 not as offensive as on previous Mercedes I鈥檝e driven. Considering the overall weight of this sedan, it has a concentrated energy that鈥檚 enjoyable for enthusiasts and consumers alike. I鈥檇 argue a 248-hp V6 will soon be antiquated compared with the lofty ratings other companies wring out of their six-cylinders, but thanks to the low-end torque, there is attitude from launch on for passing on the expressway. The C-class is certainly competitive with BMW鈥檚 3-series. I鈥檇 have to drive them back-to-back and comparably equipped to make the proper decision. But over time, having driven several version of each, I think the BMW still noses out the Mercedes, even though this Benz is a gorgeous machine. They鈥檙e still ahead of Acura, Audi, Infiniti and others in my book. EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Smoke and mirrors don鈥檛 usually cut it -- performance is more than some nice wheels and trim and some red stitching and red seat belts.

Stylistics aside, the car is also plenty of fun to drive, and seems to get better as you spend more time behind the wheel. Punch off the Eco mode, punch up the Sport setting and the car takes on a whole different demeanor, one that encourages pushing harder and harder, tighter and tighter, faster and faster. It鈥檚 a whole different kind of 99 percenter. EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A fine small luxury sedan, a class act, and it was instructive to drive it back-to-back with the Cadillac ATS. It鈥檇 be tough for me to choose. There are things I like about both cars. I like the way this car looks, and like the AMG trim. I enjoyed my time behind the wheel either in Sport or Eco mode. Both have their uses and in either mode the car felt solid and tight and eager. With all-wheel drive it would be a terrific winter car for the northerners. Not to mention the little Benz felt fairly nimble considering it has that AWD.

It鈥檚 at its best out on the freeway, where it charges along smooth and steady. Build quality, as usual with Benz, is terrific and the seats are comfortable. There鈥檚 a rocking stereo, too. This is a nice car overall. DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: There鈥檚 a lot to like about this entry-level German sedan, not the least of which is decent value for the money. Mercedes is learning from Audi鈥檚 recent success, offering a solidly equipped base car at a competitive price, then bundling popular options in logical packages that are, again, competitively priced -- quite unlike Benz鈥檚 long-time competitor in Munich. 44k and change one doesn鈥檛 get some of the electronic nannies buyers have come to expect on cars a class below the Mercedes; blind-spot assist, navigation and rearview cameras are common on sedans from Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen. However, choosing the Driver Assist package instead of the fairly useless Sport package would add the electronics for a minor bump in price, so it鈥檚 all about priorities.

Black belts are a no-cost option with the pseudo-AMG fluff, incidentally. I also continue to warm up to Mercedes鈥?COMAND interface, using a multifunction scroll wheel at the drivers鈥?fingertips. The menus make sense, and once the driver is in a certain mode -- the iPod interface, for example -- the wheel performs the most-used functions without the driver ever having to look down. That鈥檚 how it should be. ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I actually like the red stitching and red seat belts, it completes the sportiness that starts on the outside with the AMG wheels, spoiler and aggressive front end. The 3.0-liter engine is of the medium-sport variety. With 248 hp it gets the car going, as long as you put your foot deep in the throttle. On start-up, the engine is set to a double-eco mode. You have to hit the center Eco button, and then switch from E to S on the gear selector to get some immediacy in the pedal, and even then it takes a few tenths to get moving.