Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
$43,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
$43,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

Years produced

1993-Present

Years produced

1994-Present

MSRP

$43,550

MSRP

$114,500

Average price

$31,749

Average price

$67,531

Listings

1419

Listings

218
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great ride quality
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Irritating transmission
  • Sluggish performance
Pros
  • Impressive technology
  • Premium interior materials
  • Impressive electric range
Cons
  • Doesn’t qualify for federal tax rebate
  • Very expensive

Reviews Summary

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the automaker’s entry-level model, but it needed a new role. Mercedes now has a line of compact cars serving as lower-priced entryways to the brand, so it’s moving the C-Class upmarket. The redesigned 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan borrows design elements from the automaker’s flagship S-Class to entice new-car buyers on a budget who still want the most Mercedes for their money.

The C-Class competes against a formidable array of small sports sedans. Like the Mercedes, the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, the Lexus IS, and the Volvo S60 are fixtures in this segment, with nameplates that date back at least two decades. The Acura TLX, the Cadillac CT4, and the Infiniti Q50 are newer names that build on their respective brands’ experience in the segment. The Genesis G70 is a relative newcomer from a recently launched brand that’s already managed to impress.

The all-new C-Class launches in C300 sedan form, and in Canada, 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard while rear-wheel drive (RWD) is not offered. Our test car was a C300 4Matic with a long list of optional equipment. An AMG C43 performance model is also on the way, but it’s not expected to hit showrooms until after the C300, which arrives at dealerships later this spring.

Reviews Summary

When it comes to good design, even better luxury, and stellar performance, it’s tough to beat the three-pointed star. The S-Class is a few years into its latest generation, but Mercedes trotted out a new powertrain for 2023. It’s not a full battery-electric vehicle—for that you’ll want the EQS—but for many consumers the plug-in hybrid can be a convenient stop-gap for those not ready to commit to leaving the gas station behind for good.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

Engine

3.0L 429 hp I6

Drive Train

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

429 hp @ 6100 rpm

MPG City

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

MPG Highway

28
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
$43,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
$43,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
Years produced
1993-Present
1994-Present
MSRP
$43,550
$114,500
Average price
$31,749
$67,531
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.5
4.7
Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Read full review

8.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great ride quality
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Irritating transmission
  • Sluggish performance
Pros
  • Impressive technology
  • Premium interior materials
  • Impressive electric range
Cons
  • Doesn’t qualify for federal tax rebate
  • Very expensive
Summary

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the automaker’s entry-level model, but it needed a new role. Mercedes now has a line of compact cars serving as lower-priced entryways to the brand, so it’s moving the C-Class upmarket. The redesigned 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan borrows design elements from the automaker’s flagship S-Class to entice new-car buyers on a budget who still want the most Mercedes for their money.

The C-Class competes against a formidable array of small sports sedans. Like the Mercedes, the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, the Lexus IS, and the Volvo S60 are fixtures in this segment, with nameplates that date back at least two decades. The Acura TLX, the Cadillac CT4, and the Infiniti Q50 are newer names that build on their respective brands’ experience in the segment. The Genesis G70 is a relative newcomer from a recently launched brand that’s already managed to impress.

The all-new C-Class launches in C300 sedan form, and in Canada, 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard while rear-wheel drive (RWD) is not offered. Our test car was a C300 4Matic with a long list of optional equipment. An AMG C43 performance model is also on the way, but it’s not expected to hit showrooms until after the C300, which arrives at dealerships later this spring.

When it comes to good design, even better luxury, and stellar performance, it’s tough to beat the three-pointed star. The S-Class is a few years into its latest generation, but Mercedes trotted out a new powertrain for 2023. It’s not a full battery-electric vehicle—for that you’ll want the EQS—but for many consumers the plug-in hybrid can be a convenient stop-gap for those not ready to commit to leaving the gas station behind for good.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.0L 429 hp I6
Drive Train
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
429 hp @ 6100 rpm
MPG City
20
MPG Highway
28
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Honda Civic2023 Kia K5 vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2023 Subaru Impreza2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Subaru Impreza2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2023 Kia K52023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Subaru Impreza vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2023 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Honda Civic vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2023 Subaru Impreza vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2023 Honda Civic vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Honda Civic2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Toyota Prius vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2023 Subaru Impreza2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Subaru Impreza2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Honda Accord2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2023 Kia K52022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2022 Honda Civic vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Honda Accord vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra2022 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Toyota Prius2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2021 Honda Civic2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Honda Civic2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2021 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2021 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Honda Accord2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2020 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2020 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2020 Audi A42020 Audi A4 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2020 BMW 5 Series2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2021 BMW 5 Series2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2020 Honda Civic2020 Chevrolet Impala vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2021 Chevrolet Malibu2020 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 MINI Cooper vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra