Mercedes updated one of its most popular cars for 2022 with big changes inside, medium changes under the hood and subtle styling updates outside. The 2022 C-Class starts at $44,600 in base rear-wheel drive trim — $1,950 more than the outgoing version. That’s also above the $40,945 base price of its perennial rival, the 2022 Audi A4 sedan, which includes all-wheel drive. (All prices include destination.)
Related: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Honey, I Shrunk the S-Class
What extras come with the inflated price tag? Does more expensive-looking styling count? The 2022 C-Class borrows its new looks from the larger, more luxurious S-Class flagship sedan, including an updated grille design with the Mercedes star front and center.
On the substance front, the cabin layout has been revised, and the C-Class now uses the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system with its tabletlike 11.9-inch center touchscreen. The latest MBUX system has several new features, including user profiles that can be activated via voice or a fingerprint scanner. There’s also a large 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.