Mercedes-Benz wagons have always held a special appeal, blending luxury with practicality. The 2018 Mercedes C300 Wagon continues this tradition, offering a compelling package for those seeking a refined and versatile vehicle. While the allure of SUVs has grown, the C300 Wagon stands out as a sophisticated alternative, providing ample space without sacrificing driving pleasure or elegant design. This review delves into the details of the 2018 C300 Wagon, exploring its exterior aesthetics, interior comforts, technology, performance, and overall value in the compact luxury segment.
Exterior Elegance
The 2018 C300 Wagon makes a strong visual statement. Mercedes-Benz’s modern design language is beautifully translated onto the wagon silhouette, resulting in a vehicle that is both sporty and refined. While some have debated the “droopy butt” styling on other C-Class models, the wagon body style elegantly resolves this, creating a balanced and harmonious profile. The stance is assertive, and the sculpted lines flow seamlessly from the front to the rear, arguably even more attractively than on the C-Class sedan.
The review model came equipped with LED headlights, which not only enhance the car’s modern appearance but also provide exceptional illumination. These intelligent headlights actively adapt to driving conditions, dynamically adjusting the beam to optimize visibility around corners and in various environments. Adding to the visual appeal are the 18-inch 5-spoke AMG rims, a stylish touch that underscores the C300 Wagon’s sporty character.
The wagon body style garnered significant positive attention during the review period. The car’s design resonated with onlookers, eliciting nods of approval, thumbs-up gestures, and even inquiries from people expressing their admiration for its looks. This widespread appreciation highlights the 2018 Mercedes C300 Wagon’s successful blend of practicality and eye-catching design.
Interior Sophistication and Technology
Stepping inside the 2018 C300 Wagon reveals a cabin that is both modern and luxurious. The interior design is a highlight, successfully merging aesthetic appeal with functional ergonomics. High-quality materials are used throughout, with soft-touch surfaces in key areas and the open-pore ash wood trim adding a touch of natural elegance. The heated steering wheel is ergonomically designed, making it comfortable and enjoyable to use, especially in colder climates. The front seats, upholstered in heated ARTICO leather (a high-quality synthetic leather), provide excellent comfort and bolstering, ensuring a pleasant driving experience even on longer journeys.
The infotainment system is anchored by a tablet-style screen that is bright and clear. While its “tacked-on” appearance may not appeal to everyone, the screen’s functionality is undeniable. It is controlled via the COMAND system, utilizing a touchpad and rotary dial. While the COMAND system has a learning curve, once mastered, navigating menus and accessing features becomes intuitive and efficient. The Burmester sound system, a frequent option in Mercedes vehicles, continues to impress with its audio quality, delivering rich and immersive sound. Dual-zone automatic climate control ensures cabin comfort for both the driver and front passenger.
Ambient lighting with three selectable colors adds a personalized touch to the interior ambiance. The review vehicle was equipped with a decent array of driver assistance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera system with parking sensors, attention assist, and collision prevention assist. However, it’s worth noting that features like lane departure warning and assist, and adaptive cruise control, are still optional extras, which is somewhat surprising given their increasing prevalence even in more mainstream vehicles. These were not included in the test vehicle, which approached a price point of $58,000.
Rear Seat and Passenger Comfort
The rear seats of the 2018 C300 Wagon present a mixed bag. While the wagon body style enhances cargo space, rear passenger room remains a compromise. The outboard seats are reasonably comfortable and offer decent headroom, particularly enhanced by the panoramic sunroof. However, legroom is limited, especially for taller adults. At 5’10”, knee room was noticeably tight. The middle seating position is less desirable, being narrow and impacted by a prominent driveshaft tunnel. Folding down the middle seatback transforms it into a useful armrest with cupholders and a storage bin, improving comfort for two rear passengers. Families with older children might find the rear seat space restrictive.
Rear passengers do benefit from thoughtful features like side window sunshades, a 12V power outlet, an ashtray, and adjustable air vents. For families with younger children, two sets of ISOFIX anchors are provided for child seat installation.
Cargo and Storage Solutions
In terms of storage, the 2018 C300 Wagon provides practical solutions throughout the cabin. The center console features cupholders and an ashtray concealed under a stylish lid. The armrest opens to reveal a shallow storage bin with two USB ports. Rubberized and carpeted door bins add to the interior storage options.
The defining feature of the wagon, of course, is the enhanced cargo area. The C300 Wagon boasts a hands-free power tailgate for convenient access when your hands are full. The trunk offers 490 liters of space with the rear seats up, and includes a retractable and removable tonneau cover. A retractable pet divider mesh is also included, a thoughtful feature for pet owners. Buttons located in the trunk and on the rear door pillars allow for easy folding of the rear seats, expanding the cargo area to a substantial 1510 liters.
Performance and Engine
Powering the 2018 C300 Wagon is Mercedes-Benz’s efficient and responsive 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This engine delivers 241 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 273 lb-ft of torque, available from a low 1,300 RPM. The engine is known for its versatility and is used across various Mercedes-Benz models. It is paired with a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Fuel economy is rated at 10.7 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 L/100 km on the highway. During the review, which included challenging winter driving conditions in heavy snow, the observed fuel economy averaged 12.6 L/100 km.
Driving Dynamics
The 2018 C300 Wagon delivers a satisfying driving experience. The engine provides ample power for both city driving and highway cruising. Acceleration is brisk, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds, though it subjectively feels even quicker. Passing power is readily available across the speed range.
The 9-speed automatic transmission is a standout, offering smooth and intelligent gear changes. It adeptly selects the appropriate gear for various driving situations and rarely upshifts to higher gears unnecessarily, ensuring responsive performance. Manual gear changes can be made using paddle shifters. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive system operates seamlessly, providing enhanced traction and stability in various weather conditions, from dry pavement to snowy roads.
The Dynamic Select system allows drivers to choose from Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual driving modes, adjusting powertrain and transmission responsiveness. The suspension strikes a good balance between firmness and comfort, providing a composed ride over different road surfaces while still allowing for engaging handling. The C300 Wagon confidently tackles corners, offering predictable and enjoyable dynamics. While the steering might not be the most communicative, it is direct and precise, well-suited for the car’s intended purpose.
Noise levels are well-controlled in urban driving, with a subtle engine note when accelerating. Highway cruising is also reasonably quiet, although winter tires on the test vehicle may have contributed to slightly increased road noise at higher speeds.
Final Verdict
The 2018 Mercedes C300 Wagon is a vehicle that evokes strong positive reactions. Its combination of stylish design, practical wagon body style, and luxurious features makes it highly desirable. The “Wife Approval Factor” was notably high, highlighting its broad appeal. For those who appreciate Mercedes-Benz wagons, the C300 Wagon delivers on expectations, offering a spacious and versatile vehicle with efficient performance.
However, the rear seat space limitations should be considered, particularly for families with older children. Additionally, the price can escalate quickly with options, and even at the tested price point, some expected driver assistance features are still optional. Despite these points, the 2018 Mercedes C300 Wagon remains a compelling choice for buyers seeking a compact luxury wagon that blends style, practicality, and the renowned Mercedes-Benz driving experience.
Pricing and Options
2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC Wagon Pricing:
Base price: $46,000
Options: $5,000 Premium package; $2,300 Premium Plus package; $890 Selenite Grey paint; $250 heated steering wheel; $475 satellite radio; $250 dark ash open-pore wood trim; $1,000 Burmester sound system
Price as tested: $57,865
