Mercedes-Benz does not build many cars like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: a 4-door sedan / 5-door wagon with 1.8L, 2.3L, 2.5L Straight-four engine, built from 1992 when airbags, anti-lock brakes and Japanese build quality became the world standard.
How it came about
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's line-up until the W168 A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class has been available with a "4MATIC" four-wheel drive option since 2002.
The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007 while the current W206 generation was launched in 2021. The upcoming W520 was unveiled in 2026 with sales starting in 2027. Initially available in sedan and station wagon configurations, a fastback coupé (SportCoupé) variant followed and was later renamed to Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class. It remained in production until 2011 when a new W204 C-Class coupé replaced it for the 2012 model year.
The hardware
Under the skin sits 1.8L, 2.3L, 2.5L Straight-four engine; other versions carried different engines, listed in the specification table below. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
Family and rivals
Where it sits in Mercedes-Benz's history is not in doubt: the Mercedes-Benz 190 E (W201) came before it. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the GM (General Motors) Hummer H1, the Renault Twingo, the Subaru Impreza. Its Mercedes-Benz stablemates include the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the Mercedes-Benz C124.
The money
EPA combined economy is 27 mpg, about $4,000 a year in fuel at the EPA's assumptions. Condition, mileage and specification move any single car a long way from a headline figure.