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2005
Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Starts at:
$25,850
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New 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Sport Cpe 1.8L
    Starts at
    $25,850
    23 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Sport Cpe 3.2L
    Starts at
    $28,250
    19 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Sport 1.8L Auto
    Starts at
    $29,250
    24 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Sport 1.8L Manual
    Starts at
    $29,250
    23 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 2.6L
    Starts at
    $32,650
    20 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 2.6L 4MATIC
    Starts at
    $33,850
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Wgn 2.6L *Ltd Avail*
    Starts at
    $34,150
    20 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Wgn 2.6L 4MATIC *Ltd Avail*
    Starts at
    $35,350
    19 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sport Sdn 3.2L
    Starts at
    $37,350
    20 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 3.2L
    Starts at
    $37,950
    20 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 3.2L 4MATIC
    Starts at
    $39,150
    19 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas/Ethanol V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 5.5L AMG
    Starts at
    $53,900
    16 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Notable features

Redesigned for 2005
Four engine choices
362-hp V-8 in C55 AMG
Sport coupes, plus sedans and wagons
Luxury and Sport models
Available AWD in sedans and wagons

The good & the bad

The good

Performance potential of C55 AMG
Interior space of sedans and wagons
Mercedes-Benz reputation

The bad

Price of C55 AMG
Fuel economy of C55 AMG

Expert 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

MERCEDES’ LINE GETS NEW LOOK AND FEATURES

In the duke-it-out near-luxe segment of the car business, Mercedes-Benz has reloaded for the 2005 model year.

That means the C-Class sedans, coupes and wagon get a new look and new features. They went on sale earlier this summer.

“The competitive landscape is tough,” Bart Herring, C-Class product manager for Mercedes-Benz USA, said recently in San Jose. “We have to have something to talk about every year.”

Oh, and how’s a $54,000 C-Class sedan with a 368-horsepower V-8 engine for something to talk about?

But while the C55 AMG that arrived last month is for a select few — Mercedes says it’ll sell about 1,200 of them during the second half of this year — the raison d’être of the C-Class is to attract first-time buyers to Mercedes-Benz.

That’s why the cheapest 2005 C-Class sedan, the C230 Sport sedan, starts at $29,250.

And the C240 wagon starts at $34,150.

And the C230 Kompressor coupe is the cheapest one of all, starting at $25,850.

“It’s a great time to buy a car in that segment,” Herring said. Longtime favorites such as the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Lexus ES 300 have been joined by newcomers such as the Infiniti G35, Acura TL and Chrysler 300C.

The result? More competition and stable prices.

Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. sales have grown tremendously in the past decade, from 61,899 in 1993 to 218,117 in 2003. And the C-Class has been a primary factor of that sales success, as its sales have grown from about 15,000 units a year in the early ’90s to more than 60,000 units in 2002 and 2003.

“It’s been outstanding if you consider where we are in the life cycle,” Herring said.

This generation of C-Class arrived in September 2000 as a 2001 model. But, according to Herring, it was the January 2003 introduction of C-Class Sport models that really turned heads.

Before that, C-Class cars were cheaper, smaller versions of the E- and S-Class models — cars known for their engineering, festooned in wood and leather and equipped with automatic transmissions.

Those cars still exist, and they still attract about half of the C-Class buyers. Mercedes identifies them as “luxury” models, but doesn’t give them badges that say that. “This is a customer we know well,” he said.

But, with the Sport models — which do get “Sport” badges — and the changes in them for the 2005 model year, the appeal has now shifted to what Herring describes as driving enthusiasts.

“This is the customer who wants a little bit stronger driving dynamics, sportier feel, more aggressive styling,” he said.

The 2005 C-Class Sport sedans — the C230 Sport ($29,250) and the C320 Sport ($37,350) — borrow exterior styling from the C32 AMG car that ends production this year. They come with lowered and specially tuned suspensions, bigger drilled and ventilated brakes, 17-inch all oy wheels and high-performance tires. On the inside, the Sport models have special three-spoke steering wheels, aluminum pedals, aluminum trim and chrome gauge rings, bolstered sport seats and six-speed manual transmissions.

The Sport and luxury models are different enough that they “polarize” customers, and that’s just what Mercedes wants, Herring said. This year, they even produced different product brochures for Sport and luxury C-Class buyers.

And, as everyone from Saturn (Red Line) and Cadillac (V-Series) to Acura (A-Spec) have joined the game where BMW and Mercedes have long played with their M and AMG models, sportiness is “in.”

And, while the Sport models add a bit of performance feel to the C-Class lineup, nothing will compare to the C55 AMG. It’s a super sedan featuring a hand-built 5.5-liter V-8 that makes 362 horsepower.

Its styling, from the windshield forward, is borrowed from the CLK55 AMG model, Herring said. In fact, AMG enginee s had to lengthen the C-Class chassis by 80 millimeters to fit in the V-8 engine.

Priced at $53,900, it went on sale last month.

In other C-Class news:

* Wagons. The C240 wagon ($34,150) is now the only wagon in the lineup because the C320 wagon has been dropped. The interest in wagons seems to be growing, Herring said, but sales “still are not performing the way we all thought it would.”

* All-wheel drive. Available on C-Class luxury sedans and wagons, the Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is a full-time system that doesn’t require any driver action to activate. It costs $1,200 as part of an option package that includes heated front seats.

* Coupe. The two C-Class coupes — the C230 Kompressor ($25,850) and the C320 ($28,250) — get all the changes made to the other C-Class models including a new dashboard with a four-gauge instrument cluster, new seats and chrome trim.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class review: Our expert's take
By

MERCEDES’ LINE GETS NEW LOOK AND FEATURES

In the duke-it-out near-luxe segment of the car business, Mercedes-Benz has reloaded for the 2005 model year.

That means the C-Class sedans, coupes and wagon get a new look and new features. They went on sale earlier this summer.

“The competitive landscape is tough,” Bart Herring, C-Class product manager for Mercedes-Benz USA, said recently in San Jose. “We have to have something to talk about every year.”

Oh, and how’s a $54,000 C-Class sedan with a 368-horsepower V-8 engine for something to talk about?

But while the C55 AMG that arrived last month is for a select few — Mercedes says it’ll sell about 1,200 of them during the second half of this year — the raison d’être of the C-Class is to attract first-time buyers to Mercedes-Benz.

That’s why the cheapest 2005 C-Class sedan, the C230 Sport sedan, starts at $29,250.

And the C240 wagon starts at $34,150.

And the C230 Kompressor coupe is the cheapest one of all, starting at $25,850.

“It’s a great time to buy a car in that segment,” Herring said. Longtime favorites such as the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Lexus ES 300 have been joined by newcomers such as the Infiniti G35, Acura TL and Chrysler 300C.

The result? More competition and stable prices.

Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. sales have grown tremendously in the past decade, from 61,899 in 1993 to 218,117 in 2003. And the C-Class has been a primary factor of that sales success, as its sales have grown from about 15,000 units a year in the early ’90s to more than 60,000 units in 2002 and 2003.

“It’s been outstanding if you consider where we are in the life cycle,” Herring said.

This generation of C-Class arrived in September 2000 as a 2001 model. But, according to Herring, it was the January 2003 introduction of C-Class Sport models that really turned heads.

Before that, C-Class cars were cheaper, smaller versions of the E- and S-Class models — cars known for their engineering, festooned in wood and leather and equipped with automatic transmissions.

Those cars still exist, and they still attract about half of the C-Class buyers. Mercedes identifies them as “luxury” models, but doesn’t give them badges that say that. “This is a customer we know well,” he said.

But, with the Sport models — which do get “Sport” badges — and the changes in them for the 2005 model year, the appeal has now shifted to what Herring describes as driving enthusiasts.

“This is the customer who wants a little bit stronger driving dynamics, sportier feel, more aggressive styling,” he said.

The 2005 C-Class Sport sedans — the C230 Sport ($29,250) and the C320 Sport ($37,350) — borrow exterior styling from the C32 AMG car that ends production this year. They come with lowered and specially tuned suspensions, bigger drilled and ventilated brakes, 17-inch all oy wheels and high-performance tires. On the inside, the Sport models have special three-spoke steering wheels, aluminum pedals, aluminum trim and chrome gauge rings, bolstered sport seats and six-speed manual transmissions.

The Sport and luxury models are different enough that they “polarize” customers, and that’s just what Mercedes wants, Herring said. This year, they even produced different product brochures for Sport and luxury C-Class buyers.

And, as everyone from Saturn (Red Line) and Cadillac (V-Series) to Acura (A-Spec) have joined the game where BMW and Mercedes have long played with their M and AMG models, sportiness is “in.”

And, while the Sport models add a bit of performance feel to the C-Class lineup, nothing will compare to the C55 AMG. It’s a super sedan featuring a hand-built 5.5-liter V-8 that makes 362 horsepower.

Its styling, from the windshield forward, is borrowed from the CLK55 AMG model, Herring said. In fact, AMG enginee s had to lengthen the C-Class chassis by 80 millimeters to fit in the V-8 engine.

Priced at $53,900, it went on sale last month.

In other C-Class news:

* Wagons. The C240 wagon ($34,150) is now the only wagon in the lineup because the C320 wagon has been dropped. The interest in wagons seems to be growing, Herring said, but sales “still are not performing the way we all thought it would.”

* All-wheel drive. Available on C-Class luxury sedans and wagons, the Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is a full-time system that doesn’t require any driver action to activate. It costs $1,200 as part of an option package that includes heated front seats.

* Coupe. The two C-Class coupes — the C230 Kompressor ($25,850) and the C320 ($28,250) — get all the changes made to the other C-Class models including a new dashboard with a four-gauge instrument cluster, new seats and chrome trim.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
5/5
Side rear passenger
5/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years old or less / less than 75,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles
Dealer certification
164-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.7 / 5
Based on 47 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.7
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.6

Most recent

  • Find a good example, and you're all set.

    My first time owning a Mercedes while everyone warned me not to get one. Honestly I've used this car PRETTY rough, and it has held up better than my previous Daihatsu Copen, Civic 2014 and Accord CL7. It's a total workhorse, but alas, the parts really ARE expensive, ans servicing it is quite difficult as well. But all in all, its comfort is just impeccable and better than anything else I've ever drive in this price range. If you have a slightly higher budget for maintenance, I would 10/10 recommend you this car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I love this car

    This was my first luxury car and it is the best car I have ever owned. It has great performance and feels so smooth when you drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    24 people out of 26 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Nice looking design and better than the later

    Nice looking car,handling is amazing,&at 192 hp it is punchy For a base car(no sunroof) it is well equipped,nice stereo etc But it's a typical European car with "Electrical Gremlins" Recently the bottom ball joint broke while my wife was turning into a car park bay But overall the design is spot on,but i have been told by a Mercedes specialist,they are not designed to last,like the older 190E's So much plastic in them when you start looking around the car Also on the underside of the trunk lid,rust will start there Ours has,but not major to fix Mileage is only 145 kilometers so still good&will get the oil changed in the Kompressor next(vital i have been told)
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    10 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Reliable Car i do have one

    This car is so far from one of the best cars we have owned, The seats are incredibly uncomfortable, I'm really impressed with this car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 16 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • My fiance love the car was very dependable

    Car runs and drives very dependable and a lot of new parts this vehicle is all highway miles commuting back and forth to work and was well maintenance and taken care of. New paint job because the old paint job was worn out no accidents
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • the best cars on the road

    This has been a fantastic car for me from day one. Bought it right off the showroom floor with 3 miles on it and it has been a dream ever since. It gets fantastic gas mileage, handles smoothly, is ultra-safe and is just a superior car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best thing since sliced bread

    Comfort and luxury all in one top class c class. If I could live life all over again I wouldn't changed the decision of going for a c 230
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • great running and looking car

    great up dated mercedes benz for the looks and value of the car, new parts. clean interior, premium options, care cared for with all documents
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very reliable and affordable

    Love this car. Was looking for a quality used car with low miles and we were lucky enough to find it! Looking forward to many years of driving!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Every single thing the seller described is correct

    I love this car It?s exactly what I?m looking for and the seller explain exactly the way it is everything is true and really honest I recommend it 100% and I?m super happy thank you cards.com I love you guys
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Best bang for your buck

    I?ve owned the car for about 3 years now and overall nothing but great. After the 150000 mike point the sensors start to die out but it?s not hard to replace so it?s pretty reliable. The car has great styling which helps it still fit in too this day even though it?s more than a decade old.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • What a mercedes should be

    This car is amazing I have had 3 in the past, my first car was 01 C240 RWD, then I got a 02 C320 RWD which was amazing and now I have a 05 C320 4matic which isn't as quick as the RWD C320 but Is a comfortable ride and is amazing in bad conditions and the face lift design for 05-07 is pretty sexy. Only thing that I would say negitive is that I should have got the c55 amg because I think now I am addicted to Torqe, hope fully in the near future //AMG
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is available in 4 trim levels:

  • 1.8L (3 styles)
  • 2.6L (4 styles)
  • 3.2L (4 styles)
  • 5.5L AMG (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 31 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has an average reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class owners.

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. 95.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 47 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.7
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.6

Mercedes-Benz C-Class history

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