Recently, while my own vehicle was undergoing repairs, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a loaner car – a brand-new 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC sedan. This experience provided a great chance to get behind the wheel of this popular luxury sedan and assess its strengths and weaknesses. My initial impressions were immediately positive; the C300 boasts an undeniably attractive design that stands out in today’s automotive landscape.
The interior of the 2016 Mercedes-benz C300 Sedan is truly a highlight, offering a premium and comfortable environment, particularly for those in the front seats. While rear legroom might be a bit limited if the front seats are pushed far back, and the rear center seat is best suited for children, the overall ambiance is one of refined comfort. The sheer range of power adjustments available for the front seats ensures that drivers of all shapes and sizes can find their ideal driving position. Initially, adjusting from my usual SUV, the lower seating position felt a bit different, and I had to adjust to avoid feeling too close to the roof. While I typically prefer a more upright seating posture, after some adjustments, I was able to find a comfortable position that suited my preferences perfectly within the C300.
Adding to the sense of spaciousness is the impressive dual sunroof. The front section is remarkably large, and while the rear section is smaller, it still contributes to an airy and open cabin feel. Although the sunroof doesn’t fully retract – opening approximately 80% – the amount of natural light it allows into the cabin is a definite plus.
Navigating the media controls in the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan does require a learning curve. The touchpad interface, a feature becoming increasingly common in luxury vehicles, felt somewhat less intuitive than traditional controls. Personally, I still lean towards the simplicity and directness of a control wheel. Furthermore, the system’s responsiveness felt a bit sluggish, especially when compared to my older 2014 GLK. Menu transitions seemed slightly delayed, reminiscent of a computer struggling with demanding graphics.
One particular frustration was the absence of dedicated physical buttons for track navigation. Without being directly in the media screen on either the central display or the instrument cluster screen, changing tracks or adjusting volume isn’t as immediate as it should be. While a pop-up menu button on the touchpad offers some control, it still involves multiple steps, detracting from ease of use while driving.
Moving to the climate controls, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan presents a visually appealing and functional design. The round air vents are a stylish touch, and the overall layout is clean and modern. However, the traditional dials for temperature and fan speed are replaced with rocker switches. Adjustments require a glance at the central screen to confirm the selected temperature or fan setting, which can be slightly distracting.
Under the hood, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine. This engine delivers a robust 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, figures that translate to satisfying performance on the road. While not brutally fast off the line, once the turbocharger engages, the C300 provides a noticeable surge of power, pressing you back into those comfortable seats. The car’s relatively light weight further enhances its agility and acceleration, and the inclusion of 4MATIC all-wheel-drive ensures excellent traction and power delivery to the pavement.
However, there is a slight hesitation from a standstill. The 2.0L engine, before the turbo spools up, does lack low-end grunt, and the somewhat soft accelerator pedal contributes to this initial lag. Engaging one of the “Sport” driving modes noticeably sharpens throttle response and mitigates this issue. In normal driving, before the turbo kicks in, you are subtly reminded of the engine’s modest displacement.
One aspect of the driving experience that stood out was the transmission programming. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan utilizes the same 7-speed automatic transmission found in my own vehicle, but its behavior is distinctly different. It shifts gears much more rapidly, to the point where second gear almost feels like a fleeting intermediary. This programming seems aimed at keeping the engine within its optimal power band and maintaining turbo boost. However, this aggressive shifting can occasionally result in slight lurches between gears, and at times, the shifts didn’t feel as seamless as in my own car.
The auto start/stop feature, now common in modern vehicles, is also present in the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan. While the engine restarts quickly, the accompanying shudder felt through the car is noticeable and can become tiresome over time. In situations requiring small, incremental movements, such as navigating stop-and-go traffic or maneuvering into parking spaces, the frequent engine starts and stops become particularly intrusive. Fortunately, the system can be deactivated via a button, but it defaults back to the “on” position each time the car is started.
Another feature that I haven’t fully embraced is the push-button start. Perhaps it’s a matter of personal preference, but I still prefer the tactile and definitive action of using a traditional key. There’s a certain clarity in knowing the car’s ignition status when using a key that push-button systems sometimes lack.
In terms of handling, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan strikes a good balance. It inspires confidence in corners and feels planted and stable. However, it doesn’t quite possess the “toss-able” agility of lighter, more overtly sporty cars. This isn’t a criticism, as the C300 is designed to be a comfortable and refined sedan, not an outright sports car. That said, it’s still enjoyable to drive spiritedly on occasion, but its true strength lies in its ability to deliver a comfortable and composed ride.
Like many contemporary vehicles, the C300 offers a selection of driving modes, extending beyond the typical “economy” and “sport” settings. The available modes include:
- Economy
- Comfort
- Sport
- Sport+
- Individual (customizable settings)
Each of these modes adjusts several parameters, including throttle response, steering feel, transmission shift points, the activation of the auto start/stop system, and climate control settings.
Economy mode prioritizes fuel efficiency. The engine shuts off at every stop, throttle response is significantly dampened, and the transmission upshifts as quickly as possible. It also reduces the load on the climate control system, primarily the air conditioning, to further minimize fuel consumption.
Comfort mode, arguably the “normal” mode, provides a balanced driving experience. Throttle response is light, steering is moderately weighted, shifting is smooth and predictable, auto start/stop is active (though less aggressively than in Economy mode), and climate control operates without restrictions.
Sport mode sharpens the driving dynamics. Throttle response becomes noticeably more immediate, steering firms up for enhanced feedback, and the transmission holds lower gears for longer, keeping the engine in its power band. However, auto start/stop remains enabled, and climate control settings are unchanged.
Sport+ mode represents a further intensification of Sport mode, but in my opinion, it feels somewhat out of place in a car like the C300. While throttle response and steering are excellent in Sport+, the transmission behavior becomes overly aggressive. Gear changes, especially under full throttle, are abrupt and clunky, almost to the point of feeling mechanically harsh. For a luxury sedan of this nature, such an overtly aggressive mode seems unnecessary. Notably, Sport+ is the only mode that automatically disables the auto start/stop feature, although it can be manually deactivated in any mode via a dedicated button.
Overall, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan is a very appealing vehicle, albeit with a slightly questionable Sport+ mode. While personally, the transmission characteristics and auto start/stop system wouldn’t be my ideal daily companions, if you’re in the market for a luxurious yet relatively compact four-door sedan that also offers a good dose of driving enjoyment, the C300 is certainly a strong contender and a car you should seriously consider.
