2020 Mercedes Benz C Class Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Mercedes-Benz has long been hailed as one of the top makers of luxury vehicles. They somehow manage to pair power with comfort and practicality, rolling it all into one seriously chic package. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a lot of diversity when it comes to configurations, and the interior and exterior designs are sure to turn heads. But is the C-Class being held back from perfection?

What's New for 2020?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sees the return of the C 350e EQ Power hybrid, which is more powerful than before. Also, most of the features found in the previous year's Premium Package are now standard, as are 18-inch wheels and a cool digital instrument panel.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Mercedes Benz C Class – The Pros

1. A Powerful Engine

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a base engine that is able to muster up a respectable amount of power. The turbocharged 2.0-L is paired up with a 9-speed transmission and generates 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Although it does not get up to speed quite as quickly as some of its competitors, it does get from 0 to 60 mph in a decent 6.1 seconds. The acceleration does not feel weak at all despite taking about a second longer than top competitors.

2. The AMG Sport-tuned Suspension

If you want your ride to be a bit sportier, then go for one of the AMG variants so that you can experience the sport-tuned suspension. It produces some amazing handling capabilities, making it easy to round through tight turns along winding roadways. It has the firmness that a lot of people are looking for in a luxury vehicle, and the handling quality matches the price you pay for the C-Class's upper trim levels.

3. Exceptional Steering Capabilities

Steering on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is pretty engaging. The steering wheel is well weighted so that it feels just right in your hands. Also, there is plenty of feedback that gets through to the driver. That means you will know exactly how the car's wheels are tracking. This should provide a lot of peace of mind and make for a fun drive. Overall, the driving performance is fairly good, and the excellent steering capabilities make it all the more enjoyable. Scoot about town or take it out on the highway - the C-Class steers well in all situations.

4. Supportive Front Seats

Slip into one of the C-Class' front seats and you will find it hard to want to get back up. They are extremely well-bolstered, offering enough lateral and lumbar support to keep you cozy on long rides. Regardless of your body type, you can find comfort by using the power adjustments to get to the right position. While the back seats could be a bit more comfy, the front seats nail it on comfort and support.

5. An Effective Climate Control System

The automatic climate control system inside of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is quite effective at distributing air throughout the cabin in a timely manner. It is a full-featured system that is easy to use thanks to some well-marked controls. It will warm you up or cool you down in a flash, getting to the desired temperature fast so that you can just enjoy your ride.

6. The Chic Center Stack

The center stack is nothing short of elegant. It has some lovely materials that mesh well with the rest of the cabin's design elements. The controls are minimalist, but what is there is laid out in a smart and eye-catching fashion. While a few more physical buttons would not hurt, the design keeps up with what is fashionable in luxury vehicles. Those who are tech savvy will probably enjoy having this type of design on the center stack.

7. Easy Entry and Exit

Getting in and out of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is simple thanks to the door frames having wide openings. When you get in, it feels more like you slide in than stoop. The ride height is just tall enough to allow most adults to do this. Only the seriously tall will need to duck down to get in. You will not need to worry about bonking your head on the way in or out.

8. A Spacious Cockpit

Although leg and head room are a little too tight in the rear, up front, everything feels spacious. Finding the right driving position takes relatively little effort since the driver's seat is so highly adjustable. Both the driver and front seat passenger should have enough head, shoulder, hip, and leg space to keep them feeling relaxed and comfy. You can even cram a few small items on the floor of the front passenger side and still leave them room for their feet.

9. Loading Cargo is Easy

Despite its small, deep trunk, getting cargo into the cargo area of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class does not take much effort. The trunk opening is pretty wide, and the load height is just low enough to allow the average adult to quickly and easily load and unload even bulkier luggage. The only thing that might help would be if the trunk's depth somehow made up for its lack of width. But the trunk is well-designed for holding cargo.

10. The Optional 10.25-inch Infotainment Display

If you can swing it, get the optional 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen system. This set-up provides you with some remarkably clear graphics, and the entire interface is user-friendly. You do get a dial and button line-up for physical controls, and there are also the touchpad controllers that are mounted onto the steering wheel. The screen itself just looks nice and upscale. It is much better than the standard 7-inch display, which just feels a tad outdated.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Mercedes Benz C Class – The Cons

1. The Transmission Hesitates to Downshift

The one thing holding the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class back from having a superb acceleration rate of speed is the 9-speed automatic transmission. It shows some hesitation when trying to downshift. This only happens when you leave the vehicle in its default Comfort mode. However, switching to Sport mode can be problematic as well. It is hard to find the right mode in which the C-Class' transmission performs without issue.

2. Sport Mode Makes Shifting Feel Hyperactive

As already stated, putting the C-Class into Sport mode can be tricky. It almost makes the vehicle seem like it is in hyperactive mode. The shifting just gets to be excessively fast, and you would probably prefer for there to be more balance. Sport mode should be engaging, but not this engaging. A little more refinement is needed for the 9-speed to really put out a smooth and sporty performance.

3. An Unrefined Ride Quality

Unfortunately, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has some issues with the ride quality feeling unrefined. Equipping the bigger 19-inch wheels and optional AMG sport-tuned suspension on the C 300 creates an excessively firm ride quality that many drivers will not enjoy. Also, when you press down on the gas pedal, the engine becomes a little too growly. And all of the shuddering vibrations that make their way into the cabin are very uncharacteristic of a MB.

4. Tech and Safety Options Get Expensive

Lastly, there are a lot of safety and infotainment features that you can - and will probably want to - add on. But watch yourself, as these can get expensive fast. You can easily rack up several extra grand in costs just from equipping optional advanced driver aids and tech features. Some of them are worth it (like the Burmester audio system), but the driver assist features are a bit too pricey for most buyers to justify.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. 2020 BMW 3 Series

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets some stiff competition from the 2020 BMW 3 Series. Although it is a pricier option, the 3 Series has impressively sharp handling and a comfortable ride quality that you cannot get on the C-Class. The 3-Series also has poweerful and fuel efficient engine choices as well as a user-friendly set-up in the stylish cockpit. However it does have issues with some of the driver aids not working like how they are supposed to. On top of that, you can no longer get a manual transmission, and the new infotainment interface on the iDrive system is tricky to figure out.

2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. 2020 Audi A4

The 2020 Audi A4 is another strong contender against the C-Class. It is competitively priced and has a beautiful, upscale cabin that is totally contemporary in its design. The tech features and driver aids are easy to use, and you can get a strong turbocharged engine on the A4 45 TFSI. The A4 also has a spacious rear seat where adults can comfortably sit without feeling cramped. The downside to owning the A4 is that there is not a lot of feedback from the steering system, so the driver might end up feeling a bit disconnected from it. Additionally, the transmission does not make for a quick acceleration, as it shows some hesitation.

Conclusion

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an affordably priced luxury vehicle that offers a good number of configurations and is packed with creature comforts. While it could use a more refined ride quality to make it really feel like a luxury car. It is a chic-looking vehicle though and is bound to be a strong competitor this model year.