2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC Sedan $359/mo Lease

PROS

Clean styling; affordable luxury experience; available high-performance AMG models; powerful engines; refined ride

MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

The C-Class comes in no fewer than five different trim levels, with two basic C300 trims and three different AMG models. The base C300 engine has been given an update for 2019, now making more horsepower than it has in past years, with power up to a full 255 hp from the turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. The C300 comes standard with rear-wheel drive and a 9-speed automatic. Expect a 0-60 time of under 6-seconds for the C300 models, proving that even the entry-level C-Class is extremely quick when called upon.

The AMG C 43 is where things begin to get serious. Powered by a 3.0L V6 sporting a pair of turbochargers, the C43 makes 362 horsepower and claims to be capable of running 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. The way in which the C43 makes power is still somewhat unique however: it makes 384 lb-feet of torque at only 2500 rpms, meaning that drivers get all that passing power almost immediately.

While big, large displacement V8s might be gone, smaller, more efficient V8s can still be had. The AMG C63 and C63 S sit at the top of the C-Class lineup, each offering a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 making tons of horsepower. The C63 offers up 469 hp, while the S version is tuned even more at 503 hp.

In addition to the eclectic trim lineup, Mercedes offers a ton of option packages to further customize their cars. The C300 can be had with an AMG package for those who don't want the full AMG experience, the package simply adding many of the styling cues from the more expensive trim levels, while also adding more powerful brakes and brushed aluminum pedals. An exterior lighting package includes an adaptive headlight system and Ultra-Wide Beam headlamps. The available Multimedia Package adds a huge 10.25-inch high resolution display to the center console as well as three years' worth of map updates and traffic updates for the navigation system, all of which can be controlled via voice commands.

Mercedes-Benz has added the latest in active safety systems for 2019. The company has improved their active radar systems to now see up to 820 feet from the front of the vehicle, while also covering 130 feet to each side and 260 feet to the rear of the vehicle. When combined with the automaker's camera systems, the car can detect objects up to 1640 feet from the front of the vehicle. The updated sensitivity works with Mercedes' active and passive safety systems to make the new C-Class a safer car than it's ever been before.

MODEL NEWS

The Mercedes Benz C-Class gets a substantial refresh for 2019 adding a bevy of new design and styling elements as well as more interior and safety technology. The most obvious change to the C-Class for 2019 is to the front of the vehicle where the headlights and grill have been given a redesign, with the headlights now featuring LED bulbs, even on the standard C-Class. The rear of the car was also redesigned, albeit more subtly.

VALUE WRITEUP

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan starting at just over $41,000, putting it in competition with the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4. While BMW and Audi tend to look at their compact sedans primarily as performance vehicles, Mercedes tends toward luxury. The C-Class offers a level of quiet composure that's rare at this price point. Even the absurdly powerful AMG trimmed C-Class models do luxury better than other German automakers, while offering performance that can compete with cars of any price.