2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe: First Drive
CARS.COM — The previous Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe, last sold as a 2015 model, wasn’t really much to look at. It was nice, but it didn’t light any enthusiasts’ hearts on fire, didn’t inspire more than a passing glance as it rolled past and didn’t really get noticed among luxury coupe buyers. To listen to Mercedes-Benz marketing people tell it, even they saw it as something of a compromised model: It had no all-wheel-drive option, and styling wasn’t as racy as some competitors. All of that has changed for 2017 with the introduction of the second-generation C-Class coupe, starting with the C300 trim level pictured here and appearing in showrooms now.
Related: 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe: First Look (28 Photos)
The C-Class gets a significant injection of style, technology and performance as the two-door version follows the four-door that won our Best of 2015 award. The new coupe is longer and wider than the car it replaces, paying dividends in ride quality, interior space and handling refinement. From top to bottom, the new C-Class coupe looks and feels like a totally different animal from its predecessor — and a significant leap ahead of luxury coupe competitors.
It starts with the exterior styling, which is differentiated considerably from the sedan. The strongest resemblance to the four-door is up front, where the headlights and grille look similar — with the coupe getting one horizontal strake versus the sedan’s two. But from there rearward, the two look nothing alike; the coupe more closely resembles the S Class coupe and the AMG GT S coupe. The C-Class coupe features a character line from the headlights all the way down the shoulder to the taillights, while the sedan’s line stops at the rear doors. The roof is lower, with smaller windows all around, leading to a small rear window and high taillights that have a distinctly more horizontal attitude than the sedan’s. The C-Class coupe isn’t wedge shaped — it’s more of a lozenge shape, sloped and tapered at both ends, but it’s dramatic and distinctive in person. There isn’t a bad angle from which to view this car, and it turns heads regardless of what color it’s painted.
Inside, the C300 coupe is extremely impressive, just like its sedan sibling. I tested two versions of the C300 recently in and around Portland, Maine, and both featured full leather upholstery. Just like the C-Class sedan, the coupe’s interior appointments blow away competitors, feeling a price class or two above the one in which it plays. Other coupes such as the BMW 4 Series, the Lexus RC, the Infiniti Q60 and Audi A5 feel like premium vehicles — but the C300 feels like a true luxury car. If the C-Class qualifies as a baby S-Class, then the C coupe most certainly qualifies for the same description. There isn’t a single part or panel in the interior that isn’t padded, nicely trimmed, real metal, glossy wood or piano black lacquer. Every switch and knob moves with a precision and heft that makes it feel expensive. The multimedia system is the common Mercedes-Benz Comand system — unfortunately, neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is available yet, and they aren’t likely to appear for at least a year-and-a-half, according to Mercedes-Benz. The only potential interior issue may be for some taller folks — if you’re long of torso, your head will brush against the low ceiling, made lower by the presence of a standard moonroof. This isn’t generally a problem in the taller sedan, but it’s also not uncommon in the compact coupe class.
Once situated in the beautifully crafted interior, it’s time to light it up. The C-Class coupe will first appear in C300 guise, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 241 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque. It’s mated only to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shunts power to either the rear wheels or all four, if you opt for the 4Matic all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz says that the combination is good for a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, and a rolling full-throttle run or two makes this seem like a reasonable claim. Foot to the floor, the car feels quick but not fast — it runs out of steam at higher rpm, tuned as it is for better low- to mid-range throttle response. Around town, however, the combination is dynamite, making the C300 feel sprightly and agile, especially when placed into Sport or Sport+ modes, two of the five selectable Dynamic Select modes that change several aspects of the car’s performance parameters such as power steering assist, shift timing, throttle response and more. That technological content extends to the electronic safety systems as well, with the C300 coupe featuring standard forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and optional adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, backup camera with park assist sensors, blind spot warning and more.
One thing the C300 coupe never is, is uncomfortable — even in the sportiest setting, Sport+. It firms up the optional air suspension to its stiffest setting, which is not harsh — or frankly all that sporty. The ride quality is outstanding with the air suspension, a wholly worthwhile option for $1,190 that brings a big-car feel to the small coupe’s body motions. The C300 is composed and calm even over broken pavement and frost heaves in Sport+ mode, and even more serene in Comfort mode. The result of that comfort is a body that rolls more than you might expect in corners, but this is quite clearly a grand touring coupe, not a sports car. It never loses sight of that mission, leaving the more extreme sports-coupe abilities to the impending arrival of the C43 AMG and C63 AMG coupes later this year.
That’s not to say it’s a marshmallow. The overall impression is one of big-car sophistication in a compact package — you feel the suspension working, absorbing bumps and making corrections, but little of the work is transmitted to the car’s occupants. The steering is well-boosted, but not sloppy or imprecise. One is able to hustle the C300 coupe through twisty roads with entertaining ease and minimal effort — but for a more athletic experience, you’ll want to wait for the more potent versions that are in the pipeline.
The starting price for the new C300 coupe is $43,575 including destination, or $45,575 for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive model, but you’ll never find one for those low prices. Add some options for items that have become necessities such as keyless access, a backup camera and the adjustable suspension, and you’re looking at the mid-$50,000 range, maxing north of $60,000. The difference between the Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe and competitor coupes that cost just about the same is that the Mercedes actually feels like it’s worth that much money. If you’re looking for a smooth, stylish, sophisticated compact luxury coupe, the 2017 C300 coupe is a fantastic choice.
