The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
C300: More luxury than performance
Mercedes-Benz coupe is better suited to city driving than open road.
As the snow falls and the temperature plummets, access to a vehicle with drive going to all four wheels is a privilege that can’t be overstated. While SUVs and crossovers are typically the vehicles associated with four-wheel drive, what if you want the utility of 4WD with the style and luxury of a sports coupe? MercedesBenz may have the answer with its C300 coupe 4Matic.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic comes with a 2-liter turbocharged engine that can distribute 241 horsepower to all four wheels through its seven-speed automatic transmission. The C300 feels sufficient around town, dispatching its 0-60 mph time in an adequate 5.9 seconds. At higher speeds, however, it feels rather gutless and the exhaust note is somewhat uninspiring. When comparing the C300 with one of its rivals — the Audi A4 2.0 T Quattro — it’s the Audi that feels faster.
Our test car came with the optional Airmatic suspension package ($1,190), which swaps out the conventional metal springs for air spring units. The Airmatic suspension is unrivaled for ride quality and remains the most refined way to navigate lumpy roads short of a Bentley or RollsRoyce.
Step inside and the C300 is a lovely place to spend time indeed. The interiors of the German automaker’s cars are unsurpassed in terms of aesthetics and luxury. The chunky leather steering wheel feels just right, and the “Brown Ash” wood trim center console wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end luxury carriage. In fact, the much more expensive E-class variants share the same center console design cues. This beauty continues on the outside as well. The C300 is nothing short of dashing, with its curved and sleek profile offering difference in a segment where its competitors have more aggressive, and dare we say it, bland linear styling — yes, we’re talking about you, Cadillac.
Although on paper the C300 coupe is said to seat four, the rear seats are more a well-upholstered storage shelf. Small children could be shoehorned in, if needed. The trunk is also petite at 10.5 cubic feet, but it must be stated that the trunk did accommodate this year’s 6-foot Christmas tree — with the rear center armrest lowered.
Our test car came with Parktronic ($1,290), a surround-view camera package which proved to be invaluable in congested urban parking areas. Wide-angle lens cameras are placed in the front and rear bumpers and under each door mirror; when these images are all stitched together, you get a bird’s-eye view of the car.
Push on in the C300 coupe and the only thing lacking is power. Flick through the five drive modes from Eco to Sport-plus, and the Airmatic suspension stiffens to offer taut body control. The steering weight is increased, and the engine becomes more responsive to prods of the gas pedal. The transmission shifts without hesitation, but the engine feels too small to offer true performance kicks. Although 241 horsepower is more than potent enough for zipping around town, longer drives to stretch out the C300 are underwhelming. The remedy is to save up for the C43 AMG ($55,500) which outputs 362 horsepower from its 3.0 V-6 turbocharged unit in the same chassis.
The major selling point of the C300 4Matic comes in the form of its high quality, luxurious interior and abundance of in-car technologies. Even when stuck in nose-to-tail traffic jams, one can sit back in comfort and appreciate the aesthetics of the interior which far exceeds what is available from Mercedes’ rivals. It falls down however, with its performance credentials, which are — to put it bluntly — difficult to find. If you want a luxurious coupe that can chew through Chicago’s snow with ease, the C300 ticks the right boxes. However, if you want a true performance coupe from the guys and gals at Stuttgart, go for the C43 AMG.