The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC Sedan

All new for 2022, the Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC Sedan joins the coupe and cabriolet, which are carryovers from the previous chassis. Together, the three vehicles make up a very solid core of the ultra-popular C Class compact vehicle lineup. Even so, those of us here at Napleton News are peeved that we won’t get the station wagon, diesel power or plug-in hybrid powertrain on these shores. And for that, we are bummed.

The C 300 is like the S Class, only smaller.

And truth be told, it’s no longer as small as it once was. Through the years, the Mercedes C Class has gradually increased in size. Besides becoming larger overall, it also includes more style and luxury. There’s a lot that’s new inside the C 300 4MATIC, including a large central touchscreen display, “Hey Mercedes” functionality, and more. But the C 300 does not include the peerless Mercedes massaging front seats that help soothe a weary back.

What’s under the hood of the C 300 4MATIC?

Power for our test vehicle came from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It gets an assist from M-Bs 48-volt EQ Boost system. How it works is as novel as it is efficient. It centers around a 48-volt electric motor that is nestled between the gas engine and the C 300’s 9-speed automatic transmission. Similar to the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) found on Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 race cars, the motor generator can boost up to 20 additional ponies and an extra 148 lb-ft of torque for a short boost, as needed.

The electric motor also kick starts the gas engine, allowing a driver to use the electric motor until it hits a specific speed. It also allows the gas engine to take a breather by “sailing.” That’s a drive mode that increases fuel efficiency. It also allows rapid acceleration and can charge the battery under braking.

The Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC Sedan is also available as a coupe and a convertible (Cabriolet) as AMG C 43 models. These two-door models include a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that delivers 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. They both feature 4MATIC all-wheel drive. If you are a real power user, check out the balls-to-the-wall AMG C 63 S coupe or cabriolet which is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that produces a whopping 503-hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

How does the C 300 4MATIC look?

Think of an E Class, only smaller. In all actuality, the C Class has grown through the years to where it looks like an E Class of the past. Or at least in our mind’s eye it does. The wheels have been scooted out to the extremes, extending the wheelbase and increasing the legroom at the same time.

The bold silver star is in the middle of the grille and there are chrome accents surrounding the bumpers along with new two-piece rear taillights.

Surfaces have been smoothed with creases kept to a minimum. It’s the continuation of a look that was introduced several years ago. There are distinct and bold lines throughout, but the overall appearance is one that is elegantly aerodynamic.

With the C 300 4MATIC Sedan, it’s what’s inside that counts.

The inside of the 2022 Mercedes C 300 4MATIC includes enough technology and luxury to impress the most ardent influencer. There’s a new 12-inch central touchscreen display and a 12.3-inch instrument screen. A finger scanner similar to that of an iPhone remembers the climate settings and other preferences of a particular driver. The MBUX system is also standard. Think of Alexa or Siri; Only this one answers to “Hey Mercedes.”

The seats are comfortable and will satisfy those with a performance seat fetish. They don’t offer adjustable bolstering but have the “seating kinetics” feature that Mercedes uses to constantly adjust the seating position to avoid muscle fatigue.

The sound system is a Burmeister High End unit. Any audio system that puts the phrase “High End” in its name is alright by us!

Behind the wheel of the C 300

We’d go out on a limb to say that although the new C 300 4MATIC features a 48-volt hybrid system, it’s not as fuel efficient as you may be expecting. Having said that, we were impressed by the electronic boost we received when stepping on the skinny pedal to get past those who were going slow in the fast lane. Think of it as an electric nudge that gets you off the stump when the turbocharger wouldn’t have enough juice to do it on its own.

The resulting 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds is no slouch for a turbo four-cylinder that is not from the AMG factory. Still, we wish it was better overall in comfort mode. Instead, we found more enjoyment from the Sport mode, which remapped the throttle for a little more fun. But we soon put it back into Comfort mode because of our internal guilt. Guilt, you ask? Shouldn’t driving a Mercedes-Benz C Class be guilt free?

Well, yes, you are correct. But the fact remains we felt a sense of guilt telling us we might be wasting petrol by engaging the freer-drinking Sport mode. But getting behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC is still one of the most satisfying feelings on four wheels.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Specifications

	2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC Specifications
Engine Type	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine
Horsepower	255 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
Transmission	9-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy	27 mpg (23 city/33 hwy)
Suspension F/R	MacPherson Strut/Multilink
Turning Circle	37.5 ft.
Also Available	AMG C 43 and AMG C 63 models
Specs
Warranty	4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	4 years/50,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not Rated
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	112.8 inches
Overall Length	187.0 inches
Width	74.4 inches
Height	56.6 inches
Headroom, Front	37.2 inches
Legroom, Front	41.7 inches
Headroom, Rear	37.5 inches
Legroom, Rear	36.0 inches
Shoulder Room, Front	56.3 inches
Shoulder, Rear	55.6 inches
Cargo Space	12.6 cubic feet