Preview: 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Goes Electric With Advanced Tech

Facing off directly against the upcoming BMW i3, the C400 is another example (along with Mercedes’ early success in F1 for 2026) that German automakers remain dedicated to electric vehicles. The C-Class, which at one point sold nearly 90,000 units per year in the U.S. but now sells closer to 20,000, presents an interesting model line for electrification.

The 2027 C400 is slightly larger than the current gas-powered C-Class, and its battery has a little more usable capacity than the larger EQE sedan’s. This gives a longer driving range than its bigger, and likely heavier, sibling—at least on paper. 

Like the GLC400, the C400 has a more conventional look than the EQ line of sedans and SUVs that launched Mercedes’ EV program. This may bring in new customers to the automaker’s EV fold or, at least, be a way for Mercedes to retain customers who wanted to go electric but weren’t enamored of the EQ models’ bubblelike styling. It also positions Mercedes to compete against the popular Tesla Model 3.

In profile, the C400 appears to be a sportback-style car, with a large rear panel that lifts up. However, like the EQE and EQS sedans, the C400 has a traditional trunk with 16.6 cubic feet of space, according to Mercedes. Unlike those two models, the new 2027 C400 also features a front trunk.

The C400 continues Mercedes’ stylistic use of its three-pointed star logo. The six-sided grille has a meshlike surface, with the star logo aligned to the top, center of the structure. Both the panel and surround are available with added illumination. The grille features optional animations when opening and closing, and while charging. The headlights extend from the grille to the fenders and feature a three-pointed star for the daytime running lights. That star motif continues at the rear of the car, with each of the four taillights featuring the three-pointed icon in its center. The doors have flush exterior handles that automatically unlock and extend when the driver approaches and retract and lock when they step away from the C400.

For all of the opulence in the cabin, from the quilted seats with contrasting stitching and piping to the chrome trim and open-pore wood on the dash and doors, the most noticeable feature may be the MBUX system’s digital displays.

The standard infotainment system on the C400 features a 10.3-inch display for the driver and a 14-inch center touchscreen. The front passenger gets a “digitally animated trim panel,” and all three displays are under a single glass surface. The optional “Superscreen” replaces the animated trim panel with a 14-inch touchscreen display for the passenger. Both the standard and Superscreen arrangements feature three displays with clear separation, while the optional “Hyperscreen” combines all three into a single 39.1-inch continuous display. 

Current owners and enthusiasts familiar with recent Mercedes-Benz models will find the rest of the interior familiar, if slightly updated. The seat controls remain up high on the door panel and use pressure sensors for adjustments. The window switches, door locks, and door handles are, thankfully, conventional controls placed in familiar locations. Round air vents sit at either end of the dashboard, with rectangular vents placed below the center screen. Selecting the appropriate gear is done via a stalk on the right side of the steering column, with the wipers and turn signals operated by a corresponding stalk on the left side. 

The driver’s display and the center screen can be controlled by scroll wheels and capacitive-touch “buttons” on the steering wheel. Two large wireless charging pads for phones sit at the front of the center console, with dual cup holders behind them. At the rear of the console is a padded lid that opens in two parts to give access to a storage compartment below. 

A standard multisource heat pump is employed to warm the cabin. It uses waste heat from the electric drive and battery, along with ambient air, to heat the cabin. Mercedes says it uses one-third the electric energy an auxiliary heater would need.

That star motif makes another appearance inside with the optional Sky Control panoramic roof. With the optional ambient lighting, 162 stars are illuminated on the panel, and use the same color that the driver selected for the ambient lighting.

Buyers can choose front seats with backrest massage, seat ventilation, and speakers incorporated into the structure, or opt for sport seats with more aggressive bolsters and support. As with most Mercedes vehicles, a wide variety of available seating surfaces, colors, and trim are available to personalize the C400. 

The 2027 C400 EV uses two electric motors that combine to produce 482 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. They are powered by a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 94 kilowatt-hours. The 800-volt technology lets the battery charge at up to 330 kW on an 800-volt DC fast charger and 9.6 kW on a home or Level 2 charger. 

The C400 EV is primarily rear-wheel drive, with the motor on the rear axle always driving the car. The two-speed transmission uses a short first gear for initial acceleration and lower-speed driving, while the taller second gear is used for power at higher speeds and on the highway. The motor on the front axle is decoupled from the powertrain under low load and activated when additional power or traction is needed.

According to Mercedes-Benz, this powertrain gives the C400 electric a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and an estimated WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) range of 762 kilometers, or about 473 miles of driving range. However, the official EPA range—which is often lower than the WLTP number—is not available. We suspect it will be closer to 410 miles. Mercedes says up to 201 miles (325 km) of range can be added in 10 minutes when using a DC fast charger.

The optional Agility and Comfort package adds 4.5 degrees of rear-axle steering, giving the C400 a tight 36.7-foot turning circle, a reduction of about 3 feet vs. the standard setup. This package incorporates the Airmatic air suspension, which lowers the car when Sport driving mode is activated. The suspension also has “intelligent” functionality, using Google Maps data to keep the C400 as low as possible for efficiency, including in situations where more conventional systems would automatically raise the car, such as in traffic or a construction zone. 

According to Mercedes-Benz, the C400 uses regenerative braking for nearly all situations. The system can capture braking energy even when using the ABS on icy roads. Mercedes says that, in principle, the C400 can use the electric energy-recuperation braking to come to a full stop. Drivers can adjust the level of energy capture using the paddles on the steering wheel.

The C-Class EV comes with all the expected active safety systems, plus up to 11 airbags, including a standard front center airbag and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger.

Many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are Digital Extras. In Mercedes-speak, that means they must be activated by the owner and may require a subscription at some point. These include the standard Distance Assist Distronic, which is adaptive cruise control, and the optional MB.Drive Assist and MB.Drive Assist Pro. The former allows automatic lane changes, while the latter can guide the vehicle for nearly the entire point-to-point trip. A system that will work in city conditions, called City Pro, may be offered at a later date.

The standard Pre-Safe system can take precautionary measures to warn and protect the passengers if it determines a crash is imminent. An optional “curve function” works when the built-in navigation system is in use and can warn the driver if the system determines the vehicle speed is too fast for an upcoming curve.