2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

It's been two years since the redesigned C-Class sedan came to market, but the design still feels fresh. Now it's the two-door model's turn, and it was well worth the wait. The new 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and convertible (Cabriolet) share some of the sedan's best traits that include meticulous craftsmanship, a long list of available high-tech features and the kind of luxury you expect from Mercedes-Benz.

In the process of shedding the two rear doors, the C-Class increases its visual appeal. Up front is a striking grille with the three-pointed star proudly emblazoned in its center. With the large air inlets and wraparound headlights, the coupe echoes the look of the more expensive AMG GT supercar's styling more than that of the C-Class sedan. The coupe's profile is just as sporty, with deep sculpted character lines in the bodywork and a pillarless look for the side windows that accentuates the sloping rear roof line. Then again, you can also go roofless with the convertible C-Class.

Of course the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class isn't the only game in town, and its toughest rivals come from its own backyard. The BMW 4 Series coupe and 3 Series sedan are similarly priced and slightly favor the sporty side over luxury. The 2017 Audi A4 sedan is redesigned this year, boasting a high-tech cabin all its own. Other possible alternatives include the sporty Cadillac ATS, the new Jaguar XE and the well-rounded Lexus IS sedan and RC coupe. Among these worthy alternatives, the Mercedes C300 is definitely worth your consideration.

Standard safety features for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, a drowsy driver monitor and frontal collision warning and mitigation. Other optional features include  a surround-view camera system, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist, upgraded frontal collision mitigation, and rear-end collision warning with automatic braking.

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the C-Class sedan earned a top score of Good in all crash-test categories. The C-Class' frontal crash mitigation system also earned a top Superior score.

Mercedes-Benz offers the 2017 C-Class in three body styles: sedan, coupe and convertible (Cabriolet). But you'll need to pay attention as Mercedes-Benz's handling of options, packages and trims can be a bit arcane.

Power from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be more than adequate for getting up to highway speeds and passing slower traffic. In Sport mode, hard acceleration is also accompanied by surprisingly burly engine and exhaust noises. It sounds good enough that you can forgive those noises for being synthetic and pumped through the C300's speakers. At cruising speeds, the theatre quiets down, replaced by a noticeable amount of road and wind noise.

This midlevel Benz takes to the curves with ample athleticism, predictable handling and responsive steering, whether you stick with the standard suspension or opt for the air suspension. Ride quality in the coupe and convertible  is a very different story, however, as the base suspension is so stiff that we consider it harsh. That's why we urge shoppers to try the air suspension for adding compliance with no discernible loss in handling.

In everyday driving, the C300 is pleasantly luxurious, but the automatic stop-start system is rather rough, and some shifts from the transmission could be smoother. These do little to detract from the car's overall execution as a stylish luxury coupe that simply feels more special than most rivals.

The AMG C43 offers strong acceleration and a burly exhaust note and handles its power with very little drama. Stepping up to the twin-turbo V8 offers breathtaking thrust and a tremendous soundtrack. The exceptionally capable AMG-tuned models are noticeably tauter over broken pavement, but regardless of trim, the C-Class is built for long-haul comfort. We drove for several hours straight in a C300 Sport model with sport seats and never once longed for a comfier perch. Even the convertible's fabric top filters out road and wind noise better than you might expect.

As the first interior developed in Mercedes' Italian design studio, the C-Class cabin artfully blends modern high technology with evocative classic design. One of the few questionable elements is the tabletlike infotainment screen mounted atop the dashboard, but its perfect placement in the driver's sight lines makes up for any awkwardness. Opting for the panoramic sunroof also reduces headroom, though 6-footers will still have enough space.

Materials quality is excellent, whether you stick with the standard MB-Tex simulated leather upholstery or upgrade to genuine leather. The center stack is particularly attractive, as it's cut from a single wood veneer sheet. The cabin also gets high marks for usability thanks to Mercedes' COMAND infotainment interface. The dial controller is very intuitive, but the trackpad hovering above it does take some getting used to. The trackpad uses smartphone gestures (pinch, taps and swipes) to operate some of the features, but it's not initially clear when to use them.

Front seats provide excellent support and a wide range of adjustments for all-day driving comfort. The sedan also offers adequate room for rear passengers; only the tallest riders will wind up feeling cramped in the backseat. However, the two-door's rear seats are cramped by comparison, and only smaller passengers may be comfortable back there.