The Mercedes C-Class has more than a passing resemblance to the brand’s bigger saloons—but there are worse problems to have than being mistaken for a Mercedes S-Class. Yet the two actually have more in common than just their exteriors—the C-Class offers the same mild hybrid engine technology and big infotainment system as its pricier compatriot, probably as a bid on the part of Mercedes to outdo the C-Class’s rivals in the executive car class. But before we get into the ins and outs of the C-Class and how it compares to its competitors, let’s check out its key stats.

Equipment, options and extras

Even the Mercedes C-Class’s entry-level Sport trim brings with it a 12in portrait-oriented central touchscreen and 12in digital driver display, not to mention heated front seats and leather trim as standard. The AMG line trim gives you that extra wiggle room for tweaking the exterior and interior stylings if you’d like your car to feel just a touch sportier.

Stepping up to the AMG line’s Premium trim means keyless entry and go, as well as augmented reality navigation and electrically adjustable front seats with three-position memory. Or if you want to truly splash out on the range-topping AMG line Premium Plus, you’ll enjoy a panoramic glass sunroof and three-zone climate control. The C43 AMG in the same trim includes the superlative Burmester sound system, too.

Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2

The Mercedes C-Class is a little pricier than some of its competitors, namely the Audi A4, Volvo S60 and BMW 3 Series. Yet you get far more safety kit and technology as standard—whereas with the C-Class’s competitors, much of these features come only as add-ons or as constituents of more expensive trims. That means the C-Class is actually more competitively priced than it might first appear.

If you compare like-for-like alternatives to the C220d, the C-Class stacks up well against the A4 for CO2 emissions, but not when compared to the cleaner-than-clean BMW 320d. That means company car drivers will probably have to pay more to run a C-Class than a 3 Series, although they should be better off than those who opt for the A4. Then there’s the C330e, whose exceptional electric-only range will leave you with a lower BIK company car tax rate than the equivalent Volvo S60 T8 and BMW 330e. However, company car buyers ready to take the plunge with an electric car could actually save even more money by opting for the Tesla Model 3.

The two diesel C-Classes manage to beat the equivalent engines in the 3 Series and A4 in terms of fuel economy, with the C220d edging over 60mpg and the C300d reaching the high 50s. The petrol offers similar economy to its competitors, but none can match the plug-in hybrid C300e, whose 25.4kWh battery pack requires two hours’ charging through a dedicated wall charger. UK cars have a slower Type 2 connector and charge at a maximum of 11kW, whereas other markets enjoy rapid charge capability by virtue of a CCS plug.

Finally, servicing and insurance costs tend to be quite pricey with a Mercedes, although residual values are on a par with those of the A4 and 3 Series, and well ahead of those for the S60.

Safety and security

Euro NCAP awarded the Mercedes C-Class five stars out of five, partly in recognition of its superlative adult and child occupant protection. This rating matches those of its rivals the Audi A4, Volvo S60 and BMW 3 Series, although all of these were tested years earlier, and it’s widely known that Euro NCAP’s tests get more stringent year on year. That means it’s difficult to compare all four scores, but the C-Class might ultimately be a slightly safer bet.

All versions of the C-Class come with automatic emergency braking as standard, which helps prevent you from going into the back of the vehicle in front. You also get tyre pressure monitoring, an alarm and engine immobiliser, multiple airbags (including one between the front seats) and blind-spot monitoring, despite the latter feature only being optional or an element of a higher-calibre trim among many of the C-Class’s rivals.

Reliability

The Mercedes 3-year unlimited-mileage warranty with 3 years’ breakdown cover closely mirrors BMW’s offering, but slightly surpasses Audi’s, which is also 3 years but limited to 60,000 miles in the final year.

The Car Planet verdict

The C-Class might be of particular interest to company car drivers, especially its plug-in hybrid C300e variant, which brings not only extremely low emissions but also an electric-only range of up to 68 miles. And if you don’t fancy having to plug your car in to get the most out of it, that’s okay—because the other C-Class engines leverage equally efficient mild hybrid technology. That means you still have an electric motor, but the battery’s smaller and can’t run on electricity alone. Rather, the electric power improves low-speed performance while simultaneously reducing the strain on the engine. That means superior fuel consumption and lower emissions. Mercedes even intends to use this mild hybrid technology in its upcoming high-performance AMG versions.

Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand Mercedes C-Class today and let’s get the ball rolling!