2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan Review
Price
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to: RM783,888
Installment
from: RM2,440/mth
to: RM7,476/mth
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan at a glance
Coupled with the handsome looks and improved quality, Mercedes-Benz C-Class now handles ably. Along with the genuine sports sedan credentials are class-leading ride comfort and interior room.
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan quick specs
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Class | Compact Luxury |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
From certain angles, it would be all too easy to mistake the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class for an S-Class, which is no bad thing. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class retains the key styling cues in more compact dimensions. The Avantgarde version features a big three-pointed star logo in the grille itself, while the Elegance version uses the traditional logo. Both are handsome with the former looking more aggressive.
Handling
Despite the appearance difference, Avantgarde and Elegance drive in the same accomplished manner on the roads. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class now feels agile and sporty relative to the previous C-Class. Much credit to the brilliantly-tuned suspension, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class changes direction keenly with controlled body lean. Grip levels are also impressively high. The light, precise steering in the Elegance is replaced by a quicker steering in the Avantgarde, which feels overly assisted but remains precise.
Comfort
The cabin is superbly comfortable with ample seating and steering adjustments for drivers, supportive seats and clutter-free, easy to use controls. Ride comfort, Mercedes-Benz's forte, is high, demonstrated by the cosseting ride over rougher roads. Refinement is also high with minimal road and engine noise at highway speeds, but some wind noise around the door mirrors can be intrusive.
Quality + Reliability
Dash materials are premium soft-touch plastics, put together with fine attention to details. The dashboard is well-finished but certain areas could be fitted better. Despite the much improved cabin quality, key rivals such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series feel more solid. According to JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, the Mercedes-Benz brand has been performing well in terms of reliability. C-Class owners should have their minds at rest as the engines have had little problems when used in the previous C-Class and other Mercedes-Benz models.
Performance
There are two engines for selection: supercharged 1.8-litre in C200K and 2.5-litre V6 in C230. C200K comes with a five-speed automatic, while C230 is equipped with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic; both are silky smooth. With 184 bhp, C200K feels adequate if not spectacular on the roads. C230 with 204 bhp, feels more urgent and boasts a nicer soundtrack, but is not all that faster in straight-line performance.
Roominess
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is larger than its predecessor, thus providing more room, especially the rear headroom. The rear has three seats but the bulky transmission tunnel reduces feet-room available for the rear middle passenger. That said, the front two and rear two enjoy plenty of room in class-leading fashion. The big, well-shaped boot is also among the largest in the class.
Running Costs
C200K returns 12.7 km/litre and C230 returns 11.0 km/litre. Maintenance and repairs will be costly as all Mercedes-Benz servicing tends to be. Mercedes-Benz cars like the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class may be expensive to buy and maintain, but their resale values are easily the best in the premium segment.
Value for Money
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more expensive compared to the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. There is no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is much improved and very competent on the roads, but does it deserve the price premium? Despite the improvements in styling, handling and quality, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class only stands out in terms of ride comfort and interior room. The 3-Series still is the best handling and offers the most potent engines, while the A4 still has the best cabin by far. But of course there is the Mercedes-Benz brand factor, which could be the only factor that matters for many.
Equipment
C200K gets leather upholstery, electric front seats with memory function, cruise control, multi-function leather steering wheel, 4.9-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth function, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, 6-CD in-dash changer with MP3 functionality, and front, side, curtain airbags. C230 adds Dynamic Handling package, speed-controllable cruise control, 7-inch LCD screen, twin pipe exhaust system, and COMAND APS navigation system with voice control system and DVD functionality among others.
Environment
Fuel consumption of both engines is far from frugal, and their emissions are similarly subpar. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class's carbon dioxide output of 187 grams/km and 217 grams/km is no more than average relative to that for the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.
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