I thought cruise control was standard on the C-Class, but apparently not. When I asked, “It’s standard on the A-Class, right?”, the staff said,
“Yes, it’s standard on the A-Class, but not on the C-Class. However, almost everyone opts for it as an option, and we wish it were standard from the start…”
The good thing is that you can operate the cruise control with your fingers on the steering wheel. You don’t have to pull a lever, which makes it convenient while driving.
When I said, “For a car that costs nearly 7 million yen, I’d want cruise control included,” the staff replied,
“Many people think 7 million yen is expensive! But with all the packages and options included, it’s actually cheaper than in Europe. Europeans often say, ‘It’s great that the Japanese spec comes with so many options at this price.’”
I see!
The rear seats aren’t very spacious, but even adult men have enough legroom and headroom. The trunk capacity is 480 liters. I tried putting in a bag, and it felt a bit small. If you prioritize cargo space, you’d probably want to choose the C-Class wagon.
✓ MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) voice recognition is not included
✓ 12.3-inch digital meter display… The A-Class has a touchscreen you can operate by finger, but the C-Class is controlled by a dial on the center console or touch control buttons on the steering wheel.
✓ SOS call button… There’s an SOS call switch on the overhead console that connects you to an operator in emergencies.
✓ USB ports and SD card slots are included… The new A-Class has the latest USB Type-C ports.
✓ Ambient lighting offers 64 colors to choose from… The ambient lighting is based on the psychology that indirect lighting helps people relax. The brightness can be adjusted in five levels. I didn’t know that!
That’s my test drive impression. The C-Class is the best-selling model for Mercedes-Benz in Japan. When the C-Class is released, other manufacturers rush to benchmark it, so Mercedes-Benz puts a lot of effort into launching it.
When I asked, “Who usually buys the C-Class?” the staff said,
“A wide range of people buy it, but many use it as a family car. Also, parking spaces in Japan are narrow, and especially in mechanical parking garages, the E-Class at 1,850 mm width is just barely fitting. The C-Class is 1,810 mm wide, so it fits comfortably in any parking space. I think the combination of compact size with the solid Mercedes-Benz driving feel is very popular.”
Having test driven the A-Class before and now the C-Class twice, I felt that you get more information at Mercedes-Me than at a dealer (though I don’t test drive at dealers that often, lol).
The staff at Mercedes-Me seem focused on letting many people experience Mercedes, and since they have fewer test cars, they provide rich information about each one.
Since you don’t feel like you’re being “sold to,” you can ask questions freely and deepen your understanding of Mercedes-Benz. I thought, “I might just end up buying a Mercedes while test driving here!”
Finally, my overall impression of the C-Class. It’s an incredibly easy car to drive. The handling, brakes, and accelerator all perform reliably, so you can trust the car and drive with peace of mind. Even women who aren’t confident drivers can feel comfortable going anywhere.
The trunk space is sufficient unless you regularly carry very large loads, and it’s spacious enough for a family with small children.
The interior also has a quality that matches the price, and the design and lighting shapes are cool. Although I didn’t drive on the highway this time, the A-Class was very stable on the highway, so the C-Class will surely be even better.
Rather than excelling in one area and lacking in another, it’s high-level across all categories. I was reminded again of Mercedes’ overall strength.
However, since I only drove in busy city traffic, I didn’t get to experience the acceleration or engine sound when pressing the pedal hard, which was a bit disappointing.
When asked, “So, do you want a C-Class?” honestly, with such a comfortable and luxurious Mercedes, I thought, “If anything, I’d want to go all the way up to the S-Class.” In terms of driving enjoyment, I personally find Porsche more fun (here’s my impression from driving the AMG S63 Coupe before↓)
I’d probably choose to buy a used S-Class over a new C-Class, though I can’t afford either (lol).
Anyway, test driving is fun! I look forward to visiting Mercedes-Me again sometime.