Having spent three weeks and 3,250 kilometers behind the wheel of a 2019 C300 Mercedes, while my trusty S350 was undergoing workshop maintenance, I’ve compiled a detailed summary of my experience. This review offers an in-depth look at the 2019 C300 Mercedes, especially for those considering this model.
It’s important to preface this review with a disclaimer: my daily driver is a 2011 S350 (W221). Comparing these two vehicles directly isn’t entirely fair, given the differences in their class and original price points. Furthermore, my expectations for ride comfort and smoothness are likely higher than average, primarily due to my daily 100-kilometer commute each way.
Image: The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 loaner vehicle, showcasing its sleek design.
The 2019 C300 Mercedes served as a loaner from my Mercedes dealership during an extended service and repair period for my S350. I extend my gratitude to them for providing this vehicle. While the C300 is undeniably a pleasant car – after all, it’s Mercedes-Benz’s top-selling sedan in Australia – it wouldn’t be my personal choice given my specific needs and preferences. With a base price starting at $72,000 and reaching $90,000 with the options equipped in the loaner, the 2019 C300 Mercedes sits in a competitive market segment. My next vehicle will undoubtedly be a fully electric vehicle (EV), which also influences my perspective.
Compared to my S350, the 2019 C300 Mercedes feels smaller in every dimension: seats, legroom, headroom, trunk space, and even details like the coat hook placement. While Apple CarPlay and the modern digital instrument display are welcome additions – although I personally preferred the classic gauge design – the C300 doesn’t offer a significant leap beyond what my 2011 S350 already provides. The illuminated door sill covers on the driver and passenger sides are a nice touch, but not a game-changer.
Extended Road Test and Initial Impressions of the 2019 C300 Mercedes
My S350’s workshop visit, initially estimated at a week, stretched to over three weeks (16 workdays) due to a part needing to be shipped from Germany. This extended period allowed me to accumulate 3,250 kilometers on the 2019 C300 Mercedes. Typically, I need around 10,000 kilometers to fully acclimate to a new car. However, the familiar Mercedes design language, evident in the instrument cluster, seat controls, and consistent switchgear, shortened the learning curve. Within 200 kilometers, I grasped the “new features,” and by 1,500 kilometers, the 2019 C300 Mercedes felt like my own.
Sporty Handling vs. S-Class Comfort in the 2019 C300 Mercedes
The 2019 C300 Mercedes delivers a sporty driving experience, even in the “Comfort” setting, which I primarily used after experimenting with other driving modes. However, and perhaps predictably, it falls short of the luxurious comfort of my S350. The 19-inch wheels contribute to increased road noise, a significant drawback for my long commutes. My daily drive consists of a 100-kilometer one-way journey, with 80% highway driving at 100 km/h, almost entirely using adaptive cruise control. Noise reduction is a top priority for me, which is why I chose an S-Class in the first place, prioritizing minimal interior noise and adaptive cruise control (DISTRONIC) in my buying criteria.
The 2019 C300 Mercedes seats are firmer and lack lumbar support compared to the S350. The suspension, combined with the R40 tires on 19-inch rims, further enhances this firmer ride. On rough roads, like sections of the Brisbane Valley Highway, the 2019 C300 Mercedes can feel slightly unsettled, deviating from its intended line, whereas my S350 maintains composure. In my S350, I can maintain a relaxed, headrest-supported driving position for my entire commute. In the C300, this is only possible for about half the journey before road conditions cause excessive head movement.
Surprising Engine Performance: The Turbocharged Heart of the 2019 C300 Mercedes
I was surprised to learn that the 2019 C300 Mercedes is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. Initially, the engine’s sound at startup led me to believe it was a diesel. This perception faded as the engine warmed, and the subtle vibrations disappeared. The engine’s performance is impressive, delivering 255 horsepower and brisk acceleration, especially once the turbocharger engages. It offers more than enough power for typical Australian driving conditions. As a former German accustomed to high-speed cruising on the Autobahn, the speed limits in Australia can feel restrictive, highlighting the appeal of adaptive cruise control for managing driving boredom and advocating for the potential of autonomous vehicles to improve driving consistency and adherence to speed limits – though this is a discussion for another time.
Image: A graph comparing in-car noise levels (dB(A)) between the 2019 C300 Mercedes and the S350 across various locations and speeds.
Noise Levels: A Key Differentiator Between the 2019 C300 Mercedes and S350
Noise is a significant concern for me in a vehicle. Research indicates that increased noise levels can contribute to aggressive driving tendencies. Studies have shown that noise can lead to annoyance, reduced work productivity, and increased aggressive behavior (Committee on Environmental Health, 1997; World Health Organisation, 2001). Through personal testing and self-assessment, I’ve found that slower-paced music, like smooth jazz and bossa nova, significantly reduces driver aggression and stress, leading to a more relaxed driving style.
To quantify the noise difference, I recorded noise levels in the 2019 C300 Mercedes and my S350 at specific GPS locations and speeds. The quietest reading in the C300 was 68 dB(A) in a 60 km/h zone, while the loudest was 80 dB(A) on a rough country highway. In contrast, my S350 registered 63 dB(A) and 68 dB(A) in the same locations, respectively. Overall, the 2019 C300 Mercedes is approximately 14 dB(A) louder than my S350. It’s worth noting that noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A) can cause permanent hearing damage (Noise Induced Hearing Loss, 2015).
9G-TRONIC Transmission: A Standout Feature of the 2019 C300 Mercedes
One aspect of the 2019 C300 Mercedes that genuinely impressed me was the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz introduced this advanced gearbox in 2013, and it’s considered one of the most sophisticated and fuel-efficient automatic transmissions available. Gear changes are incredibly smooth and almost imperceptible, especially once the transmission fluid warms up. The 9G-TRONIC holds lower gears when aggressive acceleration is detected and is a noticeable improvement over the 7G-TRONIC in my S350. Both transmissions are adaptive, adjusting shift points based on driving style. The 9G-TRONIC operates at lower RPMs, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness), with models like the C300 experiencing a 4 dB(A) reduction in external noise. During my drives, the RPMs typically ranged from 1,400 to 2,000, mostly hovering around 1,500.
Image: A detailed view of the Mercedes-Benz 9G-TRONIC gearbox, highlighting its complex engineering.
For those interested in the technical details, a comprehensive technical resource on the 9G-TRONIC is available.
Steering Wheel Controls and Adaptive Cruise in the 2019 C300 Mercedes
The steering wheel controls for the adaptive cruise control in the 2019 C300 Mercedes required some adjustment. The traditional cruise control lever found in older models is gone, replaced by steering wheel-mounted controls. Even after driving the car for over a week, I occasionally confused the speed adjustment knob with the adaptive cruise engagement knob. While this might be a design quirk or a personal learning curve, the remaining steering wheel controls are well-placed and functional. The touch button response is adjustable, and I found the medium setting to be optimal.
Fuel Consumption and Energy Efficiency of the 2019 C300 Mercedes
Image: A visual representation of the 2019 C300 Mercedes fuel consumption data.
The engine data display, showing power in kW and torque in Nm, was informative and reinforced my inclination towards electric vehicles. Mid-to-upper range EVs consume around 20 kWh per 100km, and the 2019 C300 Mercedes seems to utilize a similar amount of energy, although it’s not directly displayed as an average consumption per 100km. My estimation suggests around 20 kW equivalent energy usage, highlighting the inherent inefficiency of fossil fuel vehicles. A liter of petrol contains approximately 9.7 kWh of energy. Using 7.5 liters per 100km translates to roughly 73 kWh of energy consumed to deliver about 22 kWh to the wheels, representing a concerning efficiency of only around 27%.
Driving the 2019 C300 Mercedes in a similar style to my S350 resulted in a fuel consumption of 8.2l/100km, while my S350 averages 8.7l/100km under the same conditions, indicating a slight fuel efficiency improvement in the C300.
Head-Up Display (HUD) and Air Conditioning in the 2019 C300 Mercedes
The head-up display (HUD) was a mixed experience. It proved useful during daylight driving but less so at night. The brightness of the HUD at night, which appeared to be non-adjustable, made it harder to see objects on the roadside. I almost missed spotting a kangaroo in time due to the overly bright display. Eventually, I located the button to disable the HUD above the main light switch. While intended to transform the windshield into a digital cockpit, the HUD felt somewhat overstated compared to its actual utility.
The air conditioning in the 2019 C300 Mercedes is effective and responsive. However, it shares a trait with my S350: the “recirculate” button automatically deactivates after 30 minutes when the ambient temperature is above 10°C, or sooner at lower temperatures. This auto-reset can be inconvenient, especially in heavy traffic with poor air quality. I’ve developed a habit of reactivating the recirculate function shortly after it turns off, but the inconsistent timing below 10°C makes it less predictable.
A welcomed improvement in the 2019 C300 Mercedes is the “sync” button for the A/C. Despite the advancements in individual zone climate control, the sync button allows drivers to easily set a unified temperature for both sides of the cabin, particularly useful for solo commuters like myself. Once activated, the temperature can be adjusted from either the driver or passenger side, and the setting is retained after the car is turned off.
Steering Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control Performance
The steering assist system in the 2019 C300 Mercedes requires either one or two hands to be on the steering wheel, issuing alerts if hand presence isn’t detected. However, the system frequently triggered alerts even when my hands were on the wheel and relatively still. I couldn’t definitively determine the exact trigger – whether it was hand position or duration of stillness. Another issue was the lane-keeping assist, which would actively steer the car back into the lane even when I was intentionally driving closer to the lane edge to avoid potholes. My S350, in contrast, seems to recognize intentional steering inputs and accommodates minor directional adjustments.
After some experimentation, I found that a lighter grip on the steering wheel and more frequent hand movements reduced the frequency of steering assist alerts. However, the sensor’s sensitivity still seemed inconsistent.
The adaptive cruise control (“active distance assist”) in the 2019 C300 Mercedes is improved compared to my 2011 S350. It resumes driving more promptly when the car ahead starts moving after a stop and reacts faster to speed changes of the preceding vehicle. This is expected given the technological advancements over the past decade. However, the driver must remain vigilant and prepared to brake manually. On two occasions, the system disengaged in the final moments of a rapid deceleration behind another car. Had I not been prepared to brake, a collision could have occurred. While these disengagements were infrequent over 3,250 km, they were concerning. The DISTRONIC in my S350 tends to disengage earlier and more predictably during similar deceleration events.
ECO-Stop-Start and Intelligent Lighting System
The ECO-Stop-Start function is something I typically disable in my vehicles due to minimal real-world fuel savings, except in heavy stop-and-go traffic. I didn’t investigate whether the setting could be permanently disabled in the 2019 C300 Mercedes, but it became routine to manually switch it off using the center console button after starting the engine. Interestingly, I found online that Mercedes AGILITY control with INDIVIDUAL settings allows for disabling ECO-Stop-Start, a feature I didn’t explore during my loan period.
The lighting system in the 2019 C300 Mercedes is exceptional. My S350 has Mercedes’ “intelligent lighting system” (ILS), but the C-Class offers optional ‘Multibeam’ LED headlamps with ‘Ultra Range’ high beam, representing an eight-year advancement in technology. During limited nighttime driving, I was impressed by the system’s rapid and precise electronic adjustments to adapt to traffic conditions. The non-dazzling high beams provide excellent long-range illumination and remain active continuously. Intelligent technology uses an onboard camera to selectively dim individual LEDs, preventing glare for oncoming or preceding vehicles. Cornering lights utilize navigation data to anticipate and adapt light distribution even before reaching intersections and roundabouts. Manual high beam mode offers an impressive range of up to 650 meters.
Image: The center console of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, showcasing its button layout and features.
Bluetooth Connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Interior Design
Setting up music playback via Bluetooth from my iPhone 6S proved problematic. Initially, phone and music playback worked after Bluetooth pairing. However, on subsequent drives, the phone connected automatically, but music playback failed. Online forums revealed numerous similar Bluetooth/music playback issues. Standard troubleshooting steps were ineffective as the phone connection itself wasn’t the problem. The inability to listen to my preferred calming music was frustrating, especially given my aversion to radio advertising and chatter. Initially, I considered ignoring the issue, but as the workshop stay extended, I decided to resolve it and eventually set up Apple CarPlay. Apple CarPlay worked seamlessly from the start, but requires Siri to be enabled and the phone to be connected via USB port #1 in the center console. While functional, I still prefer the media options in my S350, which include playback from hard disk, SD card, and DVD, including video playback (for passenger viewing only while driving via split-view display).
A design element I disliked was the notched door detents. If the doors aren’t opened to the second notch, which is often too wide in typical parking spaces, they snap back to the first notch, which is too narrow for comfortable rear passenger access.
Audible relay clicks emanating from under the driver-side dashboard were noticeable when the DISTRONIC engaged or when the brakes were tapped to disengage it. While the 2019 C300 Mercedes isn’t the quietest car, these relay noises were still perceptible.
The lack of tinted windows on the driver and passenger sides is a significant drawback, particularly in sunny climates like Australia. The window glass also seemed to lack infrared protection, as I experienced noticeable heat buildup from sunlight penetrating the driver-side window during westward commutes.
The piano-black plastic trim in the center console is impractical for a frequently used car. Dust and fingerprints are highly visible, detracting from the interior’s aesthetic. General feedback on piano black trim in car interiors echoes similar sentiments – it appears cheap, can cause unwanted reflections, and clashes with the overall interior ambiance. The “black matte ash wood” trim option is a highly recommended alternative.
The smaller fuel tank capacity was another observation. While the exact capacity is unconfirmed (possibly 66 liters), it required more frequent refueling than my S350. I typically refuel the S350 every four days (800+ km), whereas the 2019 C300 Mercedes needed refueling every three days (with approximately 100km range remaining). While not a major inconvenience, it’s a noticeable difference. On one occasion, I managed to achieve 800km on a single tank in the C300, but this was an exception.
Conclusion: 2019 C300 Mercedes – A Capable Sedan, But Lacking S-Class Refinement
While concluding with some criticisms, the 2019 C300 Mercedes offers a range of safety features and driving aids. However, the interior noise levels and ride harshness are points of concern. Although these aspects might be competitive within its class, I lack the direct comparison experience to definitively judge. Ultimately, the 2019 C300 Mercedes, in my opinion, is too noisy and bumpy for my personal preference.
The current Mercedes sedan design language, where C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class models share a similar exterior aesthetic, is a point of contention for many. While size differences exist, the visual distinction between classes is less pronounced than in previous generations, echoing a design homogenization trend previously associated with Audi. Ultimately, the C-Class is not an S-Class, and the driving experience reflects this difference.
Image: A comparative visual of Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class sedans, highlighting the exterior design similarities.
Upon retrieving my S350 after three weeks, the difference between the S-Class and C-Class felt immense. While acknowledging the unfairness of the comparison, it reinforced my appreciation for the S350. The drive home, with music off and a broad smile, was a testament to this. A call to my wife expressing my renewed appreciation for my S350 was met with gentle amusement, but accurately reflected my driving joy.
My drive home:
Image: The driver’s space of the Mercedes-Benz S350, emphasizing its spacious and less cluttered interior compared to the C300.
… and a significantly less “busy” interior compared to the 2019 C300 Mercedes.
