Briefly, pros and cons of W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Since its introduction to the automotive world in 1993, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the most popular small luxury sedan alongside its closest rival, the BMW 3 Series.

The current generation W205 is anything but small, as it has grown in scope and size, approaching the dimensions of the W210 E-Class from 1995. Gone are the blocky looks of the W204; the W205 exudes sexiness with its aerodynamic and rounder lines.

​With that being said, however, the W205 is 7 years old, and a replacement is due soon. Does this mean the W205 is no longer a worthy buy and you should just wait altogether for the replacement? Not quite. In this article, we will detail the pros and cons of buying the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Pros of buying the C-Class

1. Great looks, in and out

While this is subjective, we personally think the C-Class has a beautiful interior and flowy bodyline, and it has certainly stood against the test of time, aging better than any of its predecessors.

2. Great infotainment system and display

The 10.25-inch Audio 20 infotainment touchscreen features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all played through 9-speakers for a thorough sound experience.

3. Packed with safety equipment and ADAS

The C200 C-Class comes with Mercedes-Benz’s Driving Assistance, which features:

• Blind Spot Assist
• PRE-SAFE System
• KEYLESS-GO
• Active Parking Assist
• Active Brake Assist
• Cruise Control with SPEEDTRONIC Speed Limiter
• Kneebag
• Adaptive Brake Lights

While the C300 features:

• ssist
• Blind Spot Assist
• Active parking assist
• Active Brake Ass567);">ist
• KEYLESS-GO
• ruise control
• Kneebag
• PRE-SAFE® system
• Adaptive brake light

4. Efficient powertrain

The entry-level C200 sports a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine that produces 184 PS and 280 Nm of torque, with additional 13 PS and 160 Nm available from the EQ Boost electric motor. The combined fuel consumption for the C200 is 7.2 to 6.3 litres per 100km.

The C300 gets a new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 258 PS and 370 Nm of torque. Both C200 and C300 variants are equipped with a 9G-Tronic nine-speed transmission.

5. Interior refinement

There’s no denying the high-quality level of fit and finish in the C-Class, as everything feels premium to look and touch – even better than the G20 BMW 3 Series too.

Cons of buying the C-Class​

1. Terrible ride comfort and handling

For us, this is the biggest Achilles heel of the C-Class. We’ve written an in-depth article on this recently, be sure to check it out.

2. It’s old

The competitor has long moved on to a new platform altogether, which makes the C-Class sort of the veteran here, and not in a good way. Make sure to get discount/rebates if you intend to purcahse one.

3. Limited space in the rear passenger seats

Despite the airy cabin, the rear legroom isn’t that great as compared to the Toyota Camry or BMW 3-Series. The hump in the middle is quite tall too.

4. Wind noise is a little loud

At speeds above 80 km/h, the wind noise intrusion cabin is really bothersome, something you don’t expect in a RM 240,000+ car. The only way to keep it down is to change to a double glazed glass and better rubber seals.

5. The run-flats and AMG 19-inch alloy cracks easily

The Continental RFT fitted on the C300 variant cracks easily, with some owners having to replace the tires in less than a year. Thanks to the tires, the effect snowballed on to the AMG 19-inch wheel where it tends to bend easily on our Malaysian roads.

6. Gearshift in Sports mode is jerky

In Sports mode, the shift is not as smooth as you would expect, with a very noticeable thud throughout gear changes.