Pros and Cons: 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line - Punchy engine but punishing ride

Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced the updated 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 1.5-litre mild hybrid powertrain.

The update also brought the AMG Line package back (pre-facelift C200 had AMG Line option) to the C200, which previously wore the Avantgarde trim.

With all the AMG Line goodies, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 is priced at RM 251,587 (with SST exemption). But enough recap, you can read about what’s new here. Now, let’s get onto the topic at hand here – the pros and cons of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line.

Here's a quick overview of the pros and cons of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line:

Pros:

• Timeless design
• Muscular M264 2.0-litre engine
• Reactive steering
• Crisp displays

Cons:

• Poor suspension damping
• Not the quietest in class
• Interior ergonomics

Pros - Timeless design

The W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was first seen at the tail end of 2013, which means it’s around 7 years old now. And yet, it still doesn’t look dated when put up against much newer rivals like the G20 BMW 3 Series and Volvo S60.

This applies to both the exterior and interior, both of which have withstood the test of time rather well. In AMG Line guise, the Mercedes-Benz C200 shares the same aggressive look of the higher rung C300 or even the C43.

As we always say, design is subjective. But the general consensus is that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class still looks great.

Pros – Muscular M264 2.0-litre engine

Compared to the 1.5-litre EQ Boost powertrain, power is up from 181 PS to 206 PS while torque is also given a 20 Nm bump to 300 Nm. These performance figures translate to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.1 seconds.

We tested the Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line and it completed the 0-100 km/h run in 7.0 seconds flat. A hair quicker than the G20 BMW 320i Sport, which did the century run in 7.1 seconds.

More importantly, power delivery in everyday situations is fantastic. The wave of torque arrives early in the rev range and is sustained over a reasonably wide window.

Pros – Reactive steering

Steering in the Mercedes-Benz C200 is quick, so you can navigate around most corners within one cross of your arms. At the same time, the Mercedes-Benz C200 doesn’t feel overly nervous on highways when the steering wheel has minimal degree of turn.

This is made possible through the help of variable ratio steering (Mercedes-Benz calls it Direct Steer). The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200’s steering also has a heft to it even in comfort mode. Some may appreciate the weight; others will find it a touch cumbersome in daily driving.

Pros – Crisp displays

Both the 12.3-inch LCD digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment screen are crisp with high resolution displays. It also features Mercedes Me Connect, which is essentially an app you can install on your mobile device to access information and functions of the car.

The infotainment system’s UI is easy to use and understand. And once you’re used to the steering wheel’s touch functions, you can navigate through the infotainment system or the instrument display without taking your hands off the wheel.

Cons – Poor suspension damping

The Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line is fitted with sports suspension, a stiffer version of the Agility Control suspension in the previous C200 Avantgarde. 

While initial compression is reasonable, it’s the rebound that is overdamped. This means the suspension doesn’t settle quickly enough over bumps and undulations, resulting in excessive vertical movements of the body. And you can feel it in your neck muscles.

Perhaps that’s the key difference between the G20 BMW 320i Sport and the Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line. In the BMW 320i, you feel the bumps through um… your bum, whereas in the Mercedes-Benz C200, you feel it in your neck and that’s ultimately more tiring over long journeys.

Cons – Not the quietest in class

If you subject the Mercedes-Benz C200 to the Malaysian knocking test, it will pass with flying colours. None of the panels project a hollow, metallic (read tin kosong) sound.

But on the move, you may wonder what all the insulating materials are doing. At 100 km/h, you’ll start hearing wind buffeting around the A-pillar and side mirror. Tyre noise isn’t bothersome, but it’s present. Also, the engine sounds gruff at low speeds.

Our sound level meter indicated an average of 69 dB whilst travelling at 110 km/h. In comparison, the G20 BMW 320i did 67 dB and the Volvo S60 T8 managed 68 dB over the same stretch of road.

Cons – Interior ergonomics 

If you haven’t been in or driven a Mercedes-Benz, it takes a bit of adjustment to get used to the ergonomics. Everything is executed in the Mercedes-Benz way.

For starters, the gear lever is on the steering column in place of indicator/wiper stalks in most other cars. The electric parking brake is placed on the right side of the steering below the headlamp switches, a traditional placement for parking brake in Mercedes-Benzes. The list goes on.

Then there’s the steering wheel that’s offset to the left, the large centre tunnel that eats into the driver’s footwell and the lack of footrest. This makes your body feel twisted when driving and couple it with the poor suspension damping, it’s not a comfortable drive to say the least.

Conclusion

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line has a timeless design that aged well, a strong 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, quick steering, and crisp interior displays. But suspension damping is poor, cabin is noisier than competition, and the interior takes some getting used to.

Having said that, if you’re in the market for the Mercedes-Benz C200, do try it for yourself to find out if the abovementioned cons are acceptable. If they are, then the Mercedes-Benz C200 might just be the perfect car for you.