“Exceptionally classy, comfortable, solidly made and well equipped, the fourth generation Mercedes C-Class is excellent value on the used car market”
Pros
- Stylish inside and out
- Very well made
- Handsomely equipped
Cons
- Rear headroom
- Small boot on hybrids
- Huge number of recalls
Launched in 2014, the C-Class Mk4 saloon embodies many of the qualities that have made Mercedes one of the world’s most aspirational car brands. Its exterior design foregoes flashiness for a classy timelessness, and although the same isn’t true of its interior, the cabin looks modern, exciting and inviting. It’s also very well made from high quality materials, and its premium ambience gives you the sense that you’ve spent your money wisely.
All C-Class Mk4s are well equipped, not just with luxury and convenience features, but with numerous safety systems, too. Seats engineered for all-day comfort are complemented by low levels of interior noise, making the C-Class Mk4 a very agreeable and relaxing way to travel long distances. Good ride comfort adds to the overall refinement.
The caveat here is that space in the rear isn’t generous and tall passengers may find that the car’s sloping rear roofline makes headroom merely adequate. That said, most passengers won’t have cause to complain, even in a C-Class Mk4 with the optional panoramic glass sunroof that further chips away at headroom.
Over the C-Class Mk4’s lifespan it has offered owners a fascinating variety of engines including turbocharged petrols and diesels, mild hybrid petrols and diesels (which use a small electric motor in combination with the conventional engine to improve economy, reduce emissions, and boost performance), and plug-in hybrid petrol-electric and diesel-electric powertrains that can run for up to 31 miles in electric-only mode.
Each of these engines provides keen performance and several are very economical with low CO2 emissions to match. Generally they’re quite refined, too, although the more powerful diesel engines can become gruff if revved hard; such is the laid-back character of the C-Class Mk4 that you should seldom have need to whip it along like that.
The C-Class Mk4 range also includes a trio of high performance, AMG models, the four-wheel drive twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6-engined AMG C43 and the rear-wheel drive AMG C63 and AMG C63 S, both powered by a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8. Manically quick, these are true sports cars and consequently we’ve reviewed them separately. There are also estate, coupe and cabriolet variants of the C-Class Mk4, which we’ve also covered in separate reviews.
An additional attraction of the C-Class Mk4 is that its comparatively compact size makes it seem somehow attainable in a way that larger Mercedes models aren’t. With prices of used C-Class Mk4s currently trailing those of its direct rivals the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, attainability is one of its great strengths.
What’s the history of the Mercedes C-Class?
A big step up from its predecessor in terms of cabin space and technical sophistication, the C-Class Mk4 was launched in UK showrooms in February 2014. Its engine range started off small – just a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol with 181bhp (the C200) and a 2.1-litre turbodiesel with 168bhp (C220 BlueTEC) – and there were only three trim grades, SE, Sport and AMG Line. In their basic guises these trim grades survived the life of the C-Class Mk4, although they were also available with several option packs that upgraded their equipment levels – Premium, Premium Plus, Executive Edition and AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus.
The engine range quickly grew to include a 201bhp version of the 2.1-litre turbodiesel, in the C250d BlueTEC, and then a mild hybrid version of the same engine powering the C300 BlueTEC Hybrid – a small electric motor, charged when the car brakes, works in tandem with the conventional internal combustion engine, giving it extra power during acceleration as well as improving its fuel consumption and reducing its CO2 emissions. Up to 20mph it can also travel a very short distance solely on electric power.
A plug-in hybrid (its battery pack is charged by plugging it into the mains), this time a petrol-electric, was introduced to the range in 2015 and badged as the C350e. It was both fast and very economical, even if its claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 134.5mpg needs to be regarded with great scepticism in real-world driving. Still, its electric-only range of nearly 30 miles and low Benefit in Kind taxation meant it was welcomed by city-bound company car drivers.
There was a major revamp of the C-Class Mk4 in May 2018. Its styling was refreshed front and rear, its interior tweaked, equipment levels enhanced, and the engine range rejigged for the sake of refinement and efficiency. The most significant of the new engines was a mild hybrid 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol that Mercedes called EQ Boost, now used for the C200. The gruff 2.1-litre diesel was also replaced by a smoother and more refined 2.0-litre unit.
Previously the C-Class Mk4 was available with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic, but with the revamp all models were equipped with a nine-speed automatic.
During 2019 the petrol-electric plug-in hybrid was joined by a diesel-electric model, the C300de. It boasted a headline fuel consumption figure of 201.7mpg, more an anomaly of the testing procedure than the sort of economy you could expect in real life.
In July 2021 the fourth generation C-Class was replaced by the Mk5.
Which is the best Mercedes C-Class Mk4?
If your budget will stretch to a 2018 facelifted version of the C-Class Mk4 then the 191bhp twin-turbo, 2.0-litre diesel-engined C220d ticks all the boxes. It’s fast – 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 149mph – refined, and does up to 61.4mpg while emitting as little as 121g/km of CO2 emissions. It also has plenty of pulling power (torque) at low engine revs, which means you get decent performance without straining the engine, or your eardrums – it has enough oomph for towing, too.
There’s also a pre-facelift version of the C220d, used prices of which will be lower. It’s a different engine, a 2.1-litre turbodiesel producing 170bhp, but it’s also sprightly and very economical, if not quite as easy on the ears.
If you don’t do many miles, spend most of your time on urban roads, or you simply prefer to drive a petrol engine, the 181bhp mild hybrid 1.5-litre EQ Boost of the C200 (from 2018 onwards) should do the trick. The advantage of its mild hybrid system is that by teaming a small electric motor with the conventional engine, there’s a strong surge of power from low down the rev range, giving feisty acceleration (0-62mph in 7.7 seconds), great response to the throttle pedal around town, and reasonable fuel economy of up to 47.1mpg.
Those seeking more spirited performance from their C-Class Mk4 have a choice between the 242bhp turbodiesel-engined C300d and the 254bhp petrol-powered C300. Both will do 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, but the diesel model gives around 58mpg to the petrol’s 44mpg.
While the diesel-electric and petrol-electric plug-in hybrid versions of the C-Class Mk4 aren’t anywhere near as economical as their outrageously good official fuel consumption figures suggest, if you’re mainly making lots of short hops with the odd long journey, then these models can potentially save you loads of cash on fuel costs.
When fully charged from the mains they can be driven up to 31 miles in electric-only mode and cars originally registered before 1 April 2017 are exempt from road tax. However, where previously these models were exempt from the London Congestion Charge, they must now pay it, so bear this in mind.
As for which trim grade to pick, the Sport arguably offers the best value. The entry-level SE grade does have everything you need, including a reversing camera, but the Sport has more supportive – and heated – front seats, a parking assistance system, satnav, LED headlights, and lowered suspension that makes the C-Class Mk4 that little more entertaining to drive.
When choosing a C-Class Mk4, though, carefully check through its specification to see it has everything you want. There were lots of items on the extras list and several options packages – Premium Plus, for example, adds a Burmester surround sound audio system, panoramic glass sunroof, 360-degree camera for the parking and vehicle safety systems, and keyless central locking and starting.
What are the alternatives?
The C-Class Mk4’s arch-rivals in terms of prestige are the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, but the Mercedes also faces stern challenges from the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volvo S60, Jaguar XE and Lexus IS. However, if you’re less concerned about the badge and are looking for good value, also consider the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, Volkswagen Passat and Peugeot 508.
Mercedes C-Class video reviews
Facelift
Pre-facelift
Estate
Coupe
Cabriolet
C-Class vs 3 Series vs A4
If you’re lucky and looking at a younger C-Class Mk4, there’s a chance that the original owner will have shelled out for a five-year service plan, and that it will be transferred to you with the sale of the car. That could save you a lot of money.
Servicing costs for a C-Class Mk4 are high if you use a Mercedes dealer. You can spread the cost of two services by paying £40 a month for two years, but that equates to £480 per service, and one of those (the ‘A’ service) isn’t much more than an oil and filter change. Cars more than seven years old are eligible for a ‘value service’, which reduces the price of a ‘B’ service (oil change, new oil and pollen filters, topping up the AdBlue additive for diesel cars, and a general vehicle health inspection) to £305. At a city-based independent Mercedes specialist, however, an ‘A’ service costs between £150 and £175, and a ‘B’ service £230 to £250. So do shop around.
Also factor into your financial planning the fact that with the earliest versions of the C-Class Mk4 now being more than seven years old, wear-and-tear items such as tyres, exhaust systems, brakes discs and clutches may need replacing.
On the plus side, most of the C-Class Mk4’s engines are reasonably economical, with the diesel models returning between 58mpg and 69mpg, and the petrols ranging from 41mpg to 47mpg
How much do Mercedes C-Class Mk4s cost?
You won’t be stuck for choice when looking for a used C-Class Mk4, but most of them are for sale on secondhand car dealers’ forecourts rather than privately. Currently the dealers are trying to keep the price of just about any C-Class Mk4 above £15,000, even cars with 70-80,000 miles on the clock. Cheaper examples tend to have done closer to 100,000 miles, or more.
Low mileage (30-40,000) cars from 2017 and 2018 can be priced in excess of £20,000, while those from 2019 and 2020 come in at over £25,000.
Used car prices do fluctuate, however, so the best way to keep abreast of what the market is doing right now is to visit our sister site, Buyacar, where you can access its special valuation tool.
What’s it like for fuel economy, emissions and tax?
Read through a fuel consumption comparison table and the clear winners for economy are the petrol-electric and diesel-electric plug-in hybrids, the C350e and C300de respectively. The petrol version has an official Combined figure of up to 134.5mpg and the diesel an astonishing 201.8mpg. Sounds too good to be true? They are. At least, in the real world. To achieve those figures the cars’ batteries need to be charged frequently, meaning you make the most of the 30-odd miles of electric running. However, if you use your car for a shortish commute or local hops, with only the occasional long run, then 100mpg should be easily achievable.
The turbodiesel C300 BlueTEC Hybrid (a non-plug-in mild hybrid with a small electric motor working alongside the conventional engine to boost performance and fuel economy, and reduce CO2 emissions) is claimed to give up to 78.5mpg, but this is using the old NEDC method of testing economy – expect that figure to fall by at least 10mpg if the car was tested under the newer WTLP regime, said to better represent real world driving.
Some models of the 158bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel C200d are claimed to travel up to 72.4 miles on a gallon, while the high performance 242bhp C300d posts an impressive 57.7mpg. Most of the other diesels are in the high 50mpg to mid 60mpg range. Fuel consumption figures start at just over the 40mpg mark for the petrol-engined C-Class Mk4s, and span to 53.3mpg for certain versions of C200. It’s worth noting that cars fitted with Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel drive system suffer roughly an 8mpg fuel consumption penalty.
Unsurprisingly the plug-in hybrid models have the lowest official CO2 emissions, 38-42g/km for the diesel version and 48-52g/km for the petrol. The mild hybrid turbodiesel C300 BlueTEC Hybrid is just 95g/km, while the C200 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mild hybrid is way adrift at 140g/km.
Of the rest of the diesels the 1.6-litre C200d shines for emitting between 101g/km and 113g/km depending on the model, although the more powerful C250d impressively achieves 110g/km in its most efficient form. The thirstier petrol models emit more CO2, but the 254bhp C300’s best of 136g/km looks good in the context of the 134g/km best of the 154bhp 1.6-litre C180.
Cars first registered before 1 April 2017 are taxed according to their CO2 emissions, which means that the plug-in hybrids are tax-exempt, while several of the low-emissions diesel models are between £20 and £30 annually. Depending on trim grade, however, that cost can rise to £120-130. Some petrol models can be as much as £210.
For cars registered after 1 April 2017 there’s a flat rate of road tax that for most versions of the C-Class is £155, although some of the more frugal models cost £130. However, if your C-Class Mk4 cost more than £40,000 when new, there’s also a luxury car surcharge that pushes up the road tax total for the first five years after registration to between £480 and £490 annually, even for the plug-in hybrid models.
How much does the Mercedes C-Class Mk4 cost to insure?
From an insurance company’s perspective, premium brand cars such as Mercedes cost a lot to replace and repair, which is why they’re placed in high insurance groups. The mainstream versions of the C-Class Mk4 sit in groups 30 to 44 out of 50.
There’s no sugar-coating it, the C-Class Mk4’s reliability record isn’t great, at least for pre-2018 models. Official recalls number more than 20 – we’ve listed some of them below.
With luck, however, all of the cars that are likely to have suffered from problems will already have had the faults fixed by previous owners, but you can never be too careful.
As well as the recalls, C-Class Mk4 drivers have also reported many other niggles that have tainted their ownership experience, but despite that the car has performed well overall in our Driver Power ownership satisfaction surveys.
Are there any common problems and things to look for?
While mostly the C-Class Mk4 is very well made, some owners complain of poorly fitting doors and squeaky rubber seals – lubricating the seals can sometimes cure this. Squealing brakes affect some cars and can be difficult to sort out. Rattly sunroofs are another potential cause of frustration.
Several owners of plug-in hybrid models reported that the Mercedes-supplied charging cable for their home recharging unit melted overnight, although the company was quick to replace both cables and chargers. Other electrical gremlins have affected the infotainment system and the satnav, while some owners complain that the standard-fit radio really isn’t very good.
After a voluntary recall to upgrade diesel engine software to improve NOx emissions, some owners thought that their cars no longer ran as smoothly, and that fuel economy had worsened. There are also reports of owners having replacement engines and gearboxes fitted under warranty, but these seem to be isolated incidents.
What about recalls?
There have been more than 20 recalls for the C-Class Mk4, many of them for safety-related items. Most of these recalls are for models built before the car’s 2018 revamp, but some apply to examples made up until the middle of 2019. We’ll outline some of the recalls here, but if you’ve found a car you like, then note down the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) that you’ll find on the V5C registration document, and ask a Mercedes dealer to run it through their database to find out what work may have been due, and get reassurance it was done.
Five of the recalls related to problems with the power steering – in some cases this led to the replacement of the complete unit, in others a software update was required. Most concerning was that a broken steering column spring could create a short-circuit that triggered the driver’s airbag.
Seatbelts have suffered from faulty pre-tensioners (when a potential crash is detected, they automatically tighten the front seatbelts) and substandard seatbelt buckles. There were two recalls for front passenger airbags, one involving a poorly made connector, the other solved simply with a software upgrade.
A software upgrade also sorted out issues with the electronic stability control on some cars, while for many other, diesel-engined, models electronic brain surgery was used to cure excessive NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions.
A faulty radar control unit that governs many of the C-Class Mk4’s high-tech features such as adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking functions, was the cause of another recall, as was a leaking AdBlue filler pipe on some diesel models. A malfunction of the stop/start system could possibly make the engine stall and then not restart, and a few cars had a faulty engine wiring harness.
A handful of cars were fitted with a poorly manufactured crankshaft deemed likely to have a short lifespan, and another handful had wrongly fitted suspension components. Substandard bolts associated with some turbochargers needed replacing, as did a few plastic undertrays for the engine. A year’s worth of AMG Performance front seats were recalled for weak welds in their metal frames that could crack in an accident. And although we’re not dealing specifically with high performance AMG models in this guide, their rear axle mounts could break during hard acceleration.
What do owners think?
In our 2019 Driver Power survey of owner satisfaction the C-Class Mk4 placed 74th out of 100, which wasn’t a brilliant result. In the 2021 edition of the survey it performed similarly poorly, coming 71st out of 75 eligible cars. That year Mercedes as a brand ranked 13th out of 29 brands, a welcome improvement of its 2019 placing of 28th out of 30.
Combine the AMG Line’s racy styling and sports suspension with some of the higher-powered engines, and you’ve got the bones of a fine sporting saloon, Yet the underlying characteristics of most versions of the C-Class Mk4 mean that relaxation is the order of the day. Its engines are, on the whole, refined, easy performers, and levels of engine, tyre and wind noise inside the cabin are well suppressed.
The steering of the C-Class Mk4 isn’t as sharp and precise as that of some rivals, and while you might initially wish it wasn’t so light, it doesn’t take long to get used to. The ‘comfort’ suspension of the SE trim grade is exactly as advertised; supple yet keeping the car from rolling excessively through bends. The lowered set-up of the Sport models adds a little more precision to handling without spoiling the comfortable ride.
AMG Line suspension also adds firmer dampers to the lowered suspension, making the ride a little stiffer than the other models. Even so, it’s best to take an AMG Line car on an extended test drive to make sure it’s comfortable enough for your needs.
Which engine should I choose?
The best-of-all-worlds engine choice is the 191bhp 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel you’ll find beneath the bonnet of post-2018 C220d facelift models. Not only is it quick in a straight line – 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds – the peak of its pulling power, or torque (400Nm) is available at just 1,600rpm, meaning you have lots of instant muscle at your disposal for safer overtaking. Furthermore, because this is a post-revamp C-Class Mk4, this engine is mated to an excellent nine-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy of up to 61.4mpg seals the deal.
Of course, the post-revamp models may be beyond your budget, so the earlier version of the C220d is a fine alternative. It’s a 2.1-litre diesel with a single turbocharger, and although it’s less powerful (168bhp) and not as refined, it has the same amount of pulling power and provides similar levels of performance and fuel economy.
If diesel isn’t your thing, try the mild hybrid EQ Boost 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol that’s badged C200 on post-facelift models. With a combined 195bhp from its combination of conventional engine and small electric motor, it’ll race from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds. But the impressive part of its performance stems from the fact that the electric motor boosts muscle from very low engine revs, which makes a big difference to the way you can nip around in traffic or when you’re overtaking. It’s also quiet, even when worked hard, and returns up to 47.1mpg.
While those are our top engine choices, you can’t really go wrong with most of the engines from the C-Class Mk4’s range. Even the turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel and petrol engines in the C200d and C180 have adequate performance and fuel efficiency, while the diesel C250d and C300d, together with the petrol C300, are extremely rapid while not being too heavy on fuel. Those two diesels, though, can be a bit gruff at high revs and loud enough to intrude upon the peace of the cabin, yet they have so much accessible pulling power that you seldom need to drive them in such a manner.
The 2.1-litre twin-turbo diesel and small electric motor combo in the mild hybrid C300 BlueTEC Hybrid is also a gutsy performer thanks to the boost the electric motor provides from very low engine revs. It’s a star at the fuel pumps, too, with its Combined 78.4mpg. The only trouble is that it doesn’t really offer enough of a performance or efficiency edge over the conventional diesel models to justify the extra expense of buying it.
When the diesel-electric C300de and petrol-electric C350e plug-in hybrids were exempt from the London Congestion Charge, their high prices could be offset against the daily savings you made driving around the capital. That advantage is now denied them, sadly. Still, being able to drive up to 35 miles on electric power means they’re a great choice if you commute a relatively short distance to the office, or make lots of short hops from home. If you recharge the battery frequently, then these machines can deliver some significant fuel savings.
There’s a real sense of class about the C-Class Mk4’s interior. It’s modern, solidly made and the materials used in its construction are of high quality. Even the entry-level SE trim grade is packed with standard equipment, and while rear headroom is tight for tall passengers, overall there’s space for four adults to get comfortable. Boot space is on a par with that of rivals, but the intrusion of the wheelarches, together with a comparatively narrow opening, will limit what you can pack into it.
What’s the Mercedes C-Class Mk4 like inside?
From the driver’s seat – very firm on first acquaintance, but very comfortable on long journeys – the dashboard can appear quite busy and intimidating, bristling with knobs and switches, while the multi-function steering wheel of high trim grade models features controls for the audio, phone, cruise control and other vehicle functions. There’s also a large digital display between the speedometer and rev counter dials to show trip computer readouts, basic sat-nav instructions, and vehicle set-up details.
Rising from the top of the dashboard to your left is a high-definition colour screen displaying the various operations of the infotainment system, including radio and audio settings, satnav maps, images from the reversing camera where fitted, climate control settings, and what modes (Comfort, ECO, Sport, etc) you have the suspension, gearbox, steering and throttle response set to.
Beneath the screen a trio of eye-catching matt aluminium ringed air vents, set into a dramatic centre console that swoops elegantly down to form a broad armrest between the front seats. There’s a slightly different design for models with a manual gearbox because of the need to accommodate the gearlever – the gear control for the automatic is handily placed on the steering column – but both types have a clever touchpad, rotary control knob and other switches just ahead of the cubby/armrest between the front seats.
The touchpad operates much like a smartphone screen in that you can swipe and pinch with your fingers to control what’s appearing in the colour screen up at eye level. The touchpad will also recognise letters and numbers if you draw them out with your finger. The whole system – touchpad and screen – is daunting at first, but you should dedicate an hour or so to learning its foibles while parked on your driveway. It’s clever stuff and easy to use once you’ve learned how.
Even the entry-level SE has Artico upholstery, Mercedes’ in-house synthetic leather upholstery. The idea of man-made leather may jar the first time you hear of it, but inside the C-Class Mk4 it’s not immediately easy to tell it from the real deal, and it makes the cabin look expensive. Original owners had a smorgasbord of interior options to choose from, including different colour (genuine) leather and eye-catching trim inserts, so take the time to view a few different interiors to check if there’s something you especially like the look of.
What’s on the equipment list?
The expression ‘entry-level’ usually means ‘basic’ or ‘cheap’ when it comes to cars, but that’s definitely not the case with the C-Class Mk4. The entry-level SE trim has 16-inch alloy wheels, Artico synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, an infotainment system with a large colour screen, DAB radio and Bluetooth, cruise control and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.
Move up to a Sport and there are 17-inch alloys, heated front sports seats, a parking assistance system with front and rear sensors, satnav, aluminium interior trim inserts, split-folding rear seats, LED headlights, and lowered ‘comfort’ suspension.
AMG Line gets much the same kit as the Sport, but has an even racier look and feel. The alloy wheels grow to 18-inch diameter, while exterior and interior styling take their cues from the brand’s hardcore AMG high performance models. Elsewhere, there’s real leather upholstery and electrically folding door mirrors, plus a slightly firmer suspension set-up.
Standard across all models are a number of safety items, including seven airbags, on-board tyre pressure monitoring, driver fatigue warning (it can detect if you’re dropping off at the wheel), and emergency braking assistance that applies the brakes harder if it senses you’re performing an emergency stop. After the 2018 revamp, the braking assistance was extended to include pedestrian and cyclist detection at low speeds, and full autonomous braking.
The C-Class Mk4 is also available with the optional Driver Assistance Package. This includes blind-spot warning that alerts you to any vehicle pulling alongside, as well as lane-keeping assistance that gives a little nudge through the steering if you’re drifting out of your lane. Also included is adaptive cruise control that automatically maintains a safe distance to the car in front, as well as braking and accelerating the car and also performing a lane change while all you do is flick on the indicator. There’s also a system that detects if another car is about to run into the back of you, first triggering the rear hazard warning lights to alert them, then automatically tightening the seatbelts and locking the brakes on hard so that you (hopefully) aren’t pushed forwards into the car in front if the collisions does occur.
A popular option pack was Premium Plus, which added a panoramic glass sunroof, Burmester surround sound audio system, 360-degree camera coverage around the car for parking and safety systems, and keyless central locking and starting. Cars advertised as 4Matic feature the optional four-wheel drive system for all-weather capability, while those that have Airmatic feature the excellent optional air suspension. From May 2018 you could order the optional full digital instrumentation, a multi-function steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls for all the infotainment system’s functions, and a multi-contour front seats package with electro-pneumatic adjustment of the side bolsters and lumbar support, together with a massage function.
As mentioned earlier, when choosing a C-Class Mk4, put aside some time for an in-depth trawl through the features of the models on your shortlist.
How safe is the Mercedes C-Class Mk4?
When crash tested by the Euro NCAP safety organisation, the C-Class Mk4 achieved the maximum five star rating. It scored 92% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupants, 77% for pedestrian protection, and 70% for safety assistance systems.
Among its standard safety equipment are seven airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, driver fatigue warning, and emergency braking assistance. Optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, active lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control able to brake to a standstill and then start moving again, rear cross-traffic assistance, and a pre-safe system that automatically tightens the seatbelts and applies the brakes if it detects that your car is about to be hit from behind.
The sloping rear roofline of the C-Class Mk4 makes for sleek looks and good aerodynamics, but it does steal headroom from taller back seat passengers. For everyday use the boot is just fine, but side intrusions and a narrow opening limit what you can stuff inside.
How big is the Mercedes C-Class Mk4?
Although it’s generally described as a compact executive saloon, the C-Class Mk4 ranges between 4,688mm and 4,756mm depending on the model, while all versions are 1,810mm wide. However, because some versions feature lowered sports suspension, the height varies between 1,426mm to 1,460mm.
How much space is there for passengers?
A pair of rear seat passengers under six-feet tall will have reasonable room for their heads and knees, and acres of space for their shoulders, but foot room is a bit mean. Because of the way the rear roofline slopes down, rear headroom can be tight for taller occupants. If family and friends fall into that category, get them to test the rear seats before making up your mind about buying.
As for a third passenger in the back, they’ll be OK for short trips but unlikely to be happy about tackling a long journey as a result of limited shoulder-room, a poorly-shaped central seating position and the wide transmission tunnel forcing them to sit with their legs wide apart.
In terms of storage, there are two cupholders in the fold-down rear armrest, a couple more in the front and door bins in all four doors. There are also useful cubbies in the dashboard and a handily-sized glovebox.
How big is the boot?
At 455 litres, the C-Class Mk4’s boot is an adequate size, but nothing special. That shrinks to 435 litres for the mild hybrid models and a paltry 300 litres in the plug-in hybrid, with both having to accommodate bulky battery packs beneath the boot floor.
Wheelarch intrusion into the boot space makes it a less than optimal shape, plus there’s also a pronounced lump in the floor just before it reaches the rear seatback. Using soft bags rather than rigid cases will aid you in filling the boot to its full potential. Another slight handicap is that the opening is quite narrow, limiting what you can slot in through it. That said, the optional 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats do enable you to transport long (if slender) items.
Keyword: Used Mercedes C-Class saloon review: 2014-2021 (Mk4)