2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Puts Technology Front and Center
From efficiency to safety to screens and voice recognition, the C-lass is fully up to date
The redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan debuts a more aggressive look, a mild hybrid powertrain, and the latest technology for entertainment, convenience, and safety.
The C-Class was once the entry to the Mercedes-Benz brand. With the emergence of smaller sedans like the A-Class and CLA—not to mention the GLA SUV—the C-Class has moved upmarket. We have good things to say about the current model, which has been on sale without any major changes since 2015, and hope that the updated model builds on that legacy.
It competes with other compact sports sedans such as Acura TLX, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CT5, Genesis G70, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS, and Volvo S60.
The new C-Class is a similar size as the outgoing model, growing 2.5 inches longer and a few fractions of an inch taller and wider, but where the last C-Class had a softened and rounded look, minor design changes now accentuate the sedan’s aggressive proportions. Mercedes says the new C-Class has a “cab backward” design, which makes for a prominent hood and stubby trunk. The grille is angled forward, the headlights are swept rearward, and there are bulges on the hood to suggest power and forward movement. From the rear, the split taillights are reminiscent of the smaller A-Class.
We’ll have to wait a little longer to see the convertible and coupe versions of the C-Class, because only the sedan has had the wraps taken off so far.
Mercedes says the interior of the C-Class follows in the footsteps of the new S-Class. The outgoing model’s combination of a small screen and buttons has been replaced by a vertically oriented screen that’s nearly a foot wide, with dedicated touch controls and sliders beneath it.
