Cruise Control

I assumed cruise control came standard on the C-Class, but apparently it doesn’t. I asked, “It was standard on the A-Class, wasn’t it?”

“It is standard on the A-Class, but not on the C-Class. Almost everyone opts for it, though, so we wish it were included as standard from the start.”

That’s what the staff member told me.

One thing I liked about the controls was that you can operate cruise control using your fingers on the steering wheel. There’s no need to reach for a stalk, which makes it convenient to use while driving.

“But this car costs close to ¥7 million. I’d expect cruise control to be included…” I said.

“When people hear ¥7 million, many think ‘That’s expensive!’ But the car also comes with quite a few options as part of package deals, so it’s actually less expensive than in Europe. European customers often tell us, ‘It’s great that the Japanese-spec model comes with this many options at this price.’”

I see.

Rear Seats / Cargo Capacity

The rear seats aren’t exceptionally spacious, but apparently there’s plenty of legroom and headroom even for adult men. The trunk holds 480 liters. I tried loading a bag, but the trunk felt a little small. If cargo capacity is a priority, I suppose the C-Class wagon would be the better choice.

Other Things to Know About the C-Class

✓ It does not include MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) natural-language voice control.
✓ 12.3-inch digital instrument display…Unlike the A-Class, whose touchscreen can be operated by touch, the C-Class display is controlled using the dial on the center console or the touch-control buttons on the steering wheel, which support swipe gestures.
✓ SOS Call…A switch for SOS Call, which connects you to an operator in an emergency, is located in the overhead console.
✓ USB ports and an SD card slot…The new A-Class apparently uses the latest USB Type-C connector.
✓ The ambient lighting offers 64 colors…There’s a practical reason for ambient lighting: it’s based on the idea that people can relax more easily in a space with indirect lighting. You can also choose from five brightness levels. I had no idea!

The C-Class Is a Best-Seller

Those were my impressions from the test drive. The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling model in Japan. Whenever a new C-Class launches, other automakers are quick to use it as a benchmark, so Mercedes-Benz puts a lot of effort into bringing it to market.

At the end, I asked, “What kind of people buy the C-Class?”

“It’s a very broad range of customers, but a lot of people use it as a family car. Parking spaces in Japan tend to be narrow, and the E-Class is 1,850 mm wide, which makes it a tight fit in some mechanical parking garages. The C-Class, by comparison, is 1,810 mm wide, so it fits comfortably in pretty much any parking space. I think people appreciate that it’s relatively compact, yet still delivers the true Mercedes-Benz driving experience.”

That was the answer.

I’d now test-driven a Mercedes-Benz twice—first the A-Class, and now the C-Class—and I felt that you learn more about the cars when you test-drive at Mercedes me than at a dealership. (Though it’s not as if I test-drive cars at dealerships very often, lol.)

The staff at Mercedes me seemed focused on giving as many people as possible the chance to experience a Mercedes. And because they have a more limited selection of test-drive cars, they seemed to know a great deal about each one.

Since I didn’t feel any pressure to buy, I could ask whatever I wanted and get a deeper understanding of Mercedes-Benz. I can easily imagine someone coming in for a test drive and thinking, “Somehow, I ended up buying a Mercedes!”

C-Class Test-Drive Verdict

To wrap up, the C-Class was an exceptionally easy car to drive. The handling, brakes, and accelerator all felt dependable, making it easy to trust the car and drive with confidence. Even women who aren’t especially confident behind the wheel could probably take it anywhere without hesitation.

The trunk should be plenty big enough for families who don’t regularly carry lots of luggage, and there’s enough room for the family to travel comfortably while the kids are still young.

The interior quality also felt appropriate for the price, and I liked the design and the lighting. I didn’t get to drive it on the highway, but the A-Class was very stable, so I’m sure the C-Class would be even better.

Rather than excelling in one area while falling short in another, the C-Class is strong across the board. It reminded me just how capable Mercedes-Benz is as an all-rounder.

That said, I only drove it through busy city traffic, so I didn’t get to find out how quickly it accelerates or hear what the engine sounds like under hard throttle. That was a little disappointing.

If you asked me, “Would you buy a C-Class?”—for a Mercedes this comfortable and luxurious, I’d honestly be tempted to skip the C-Class and go straight to an S-Class. When it comes to driving enjoyment, I find Porsche more fun to drive. (Here’s what I thought of the AMG S 63 Coupe↓)

どちらがお好み？ AMG S63 4MATIC クーペ （C217）とパナメーラターボ（971）はこう違う。

I might choose a used S-Class over a new C-Class—though I’m talking big, because I can’t afford either one, lol.

Still, test drives are fun! I’d love to visit Mercedes me again when I get the chance.