Having spent three weeks and 3,250 kilometers behind the wheel of a 2019 Mercedes C300 while my own S350 was in the workshop, I’ve compiled a comprehensive review of my experience. It’s important to preface this by stating that comparing a Mercedes C300 2019 to my daily driver, a 2011 S350 (W221), isn’t entirely fair due to the inherent differences in vehicle class and price point. Furthermore, my expectations for ride comfort and smoothness are likely higher than average, given my daily 100-kilometer commute each way.
Image: The Mercedes-Benz C300 loan vehicle provided during the S350 service. Image Credit: 2019 Max Grenkowitz
Overall, the Mercedes C300 2019 is undeniably a pleasant car to drive. It holds the title of Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling sedan in Australia for good reason. However, considering my specific needs and preferences, it wouldn’t be my personal choice for purchase. The base price starts at $72,000, and the model I drove, fully equipped, was priced at $90,000. While I can’t offer a direct comparison to others in its class, my automotive focus is shifting towards fully electric vehicles (EVs) for my next car. Compared to my S350, the C300 feels smaller in every dimension: the seats, legroom, headroom, trunk space, and even the coat hook feels less accessible. Beyond Apple CarPlay and some modern dashboard instrument designs – which I experimented with but ultimately reverted to the classic layout – the Mercedes C300 2019 doesn’t offer significantly more than my 2011 S350. It does, however, feature illuminated door sill covers on both the driver and passenger sides, a subtle touch of modern flair.
My experience with this Mercedes C300 2019 began when it was provided as a loaner by my Mercedes dealership – for which I am grateful – while my S350 underwent an extensive service and repair. This included fluid changes (excluding brake fluid, which was recently done), fixing an engine rattle (left intake camshaft adjuster), and replacing the rear main seal and water pump. The initial workshop estimate was around a week, but it stretched to over three weeks (16 workdays) due to a part needing to be sourced from Germany. During this period, I accumulated 3,250 kilometers on the C300. While I typically need around 10,000 kilometers to fully understand a new car, the familiar Mercedes design language – evident in the instrument cluster, seat controls, and dashboard layout, along with consistent symbols on knobs and switches – allowed me to quickly grasp the “new features.” Within 200 kilometers, I felt comfortable with the car, and by 1,500 kilometers, it felt almost like my own.
Sporty Handling and Ride Discomfort
The Mercedes C300 2019 provides a sporty driving experience, even in the “Comfort” setting, which I primarily used after briefly trying other driving modes. However, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it falls short of the comfort level offered by my S350. The 19-inch wheels contribute to increased road noise transmission into the cabin, a significant drawback for me given my daily commute: a 100-kilometer journey each way, with 80% highway driving at 100 km/h and 98% using adaptive cruise control. My priority in a car is minimizing interior noise, which is why I chose an S-Class in the first place. My key buying criteria were, first and foremost, minimal interior noise, and secondly, adaptive cruise control (DISTRONIC).
The seats in the Mercedes C300 2019 are relatively firm and lack lumbar support. The suspension, combined with the R40 tires on 19-inch rims, further contributes to a firmer ride. Surprisingly, on poorly maintained roads – unfortunately common in Australia, such as the Brisbane Valley Highway between Blacksoil and Fernvale – certain sections would cause the car to deviate slightly from its intended path. My S350, in contrast, remains stable and on track under the same conditions. In my S350, I maintain a relaxed seating position with my head resting on the headrest throughout my 100km commute. In the Mercedes C300 2019, I can only maintain this posture for about half of the journey; otherwise, my head is jostled around depending on the road surface.
Surprisingly Powerful Engine
Regarding its sportier nature, I was unaware of the Mercedes C300 2019 engine specification until my service coordinator mentioned it was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder. I was genuinely surprised. Initially, driving it off the lot, I even mistook it for a diesel due to the initial engine sound. This perception disappeared once the engine warmed up, and the subtle vibrations became unnoticeable. The engine delivers ample power – 255 horsepower, impressive for its size. It accelerates rapidly, especially once the turbocharger engages, and like many modern cars, it’s capable of speeds far exceeding Australian road speed limits. This can be slightly frustrating, particularly for someone like myself, accustomed to cruising at 200 km/h on German autobahns. This is precisely why adaptive cruise control is so crucial for me. Driving in Australia can be monotonous, making me a strong advocate for autonomous vehicles. My hope is that autonomous systems will adhere strictly to speed limits, eliminating the inconsistencies and often slower speeds of human drivers – but that’s a discussion for another time.
Image: A graph comparing in-car noise levels (dB(A)) of the C300 versus the S350 across different locations and speeds (km/h). Image Credit: 2019 Max Grenkowitz
Noise Levels: A Major Disadvantage
Noise is a significant concern for me in a vehicle. Research indicates that elevated noise levels can contribute to more aggressive driving habits. “With respect to the psychological impacts of noise, individuals may feel annoyed, experience reduced productivity at work, and exhibit increased aggressive behaviour” (Committee on Environmental Health, 1997; World Health Organisation, 2001). Through years of self-assessment, I’ve realized the impact of noise on my driving behavior. I’ve found that slower-paced music, like smooth jazz and bossa nova, effectively reduces driver aggression and stress. Tracking speed, acceleration input, and heart rate, I’ve confirmed that slower music promotes a more relaxed driving style. While I always adhere to speed limits, external driving behaviors become less bothersome and elicit no emotional response when driving in a quiet environment.
Returning to the Mercedes C300 2019, I measured noise levels using GPS locations to pinpoint measurement spots and ensure consistent speed, allowing for comparisons with other vehicles. The quietest reading was 68 dB(A) in a 60 km/h zone. The loudest, on the Brisbane Valley Highway, reached 80 dB(A). My S350, in contrast, registered 63 and 68 dB(A) respectively under the same conditions. Overall, the Mercedes C300 2019 is approximately 14 dB(A) louder than my S350. While the maximum noise level remained just below 80 dB(A), it’s worth noting that “A noise level of 85 dB(A) or higher can cause permanent damage to hearing sensitivity and even induce hearing loss” (Noise Induced Hearing Loss, 2015).
Impressive 9G-TRONIC Transmission
One aspect of the Mercedes C300 2019 that genuinely impressed me was the 9G-TRONIC transmission. Mercedes-Benz’s nine-speed automatic transmission, introduced in 2013, is considered one of the most advanced and fuel-efficient automatic gearboxes available. Gear changes are incredibly smooth, almost imperceptible, especially once the transmission oil warms up. It intelligently holds lower gears during more aggressive acceleration and represents a significant improvement over the 7G-TRONIC in my S350, which tends to revert to normal mode more quickly after acceleration. Both the 7G- and 9G-TRONIC transmissions are adaptive, adjusting shift points based on driving style. The 9G-TRONIC operates at considerably lower RPMs, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) comfort. Models like the Mercedes C300 2019 equipped with the 9G-TRONIC experience a 4 dB(A) reduction in external noise. During my driving, RPMs typically hovered around 1,500, ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 rpm.
Image: A detailed view of the Mercedes-Benz 9G-TRONIC gearbox. Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz Media
For those interested in technical details, a comprehensive resource on the 9G-TRONIC is available here.
Steering Wheel Controls and Adaptive Cruise
The steering wheel controls for the adaptive cruise control took some adjustment. The Mercedes C300 2019 marks the end of the traditional cruise control lever found in older models. Even after driving the car for eight days (and even occasionally on day 16), I still occasionally confused the middle knob for speed adjustment with the adjacent knob for engaging adaptive cruise. Whether this is a design flaw or personal adaptation issue, I haven’t fully determined. Otherwise, the steering wheel controls are well-positioned and functional. The touch button response can be adjusted across three sensitivity levels; I kept mine on medium.
Image: Display showing fuel consumption data in the Mercedes C300. Image Credit: 2019 Max Grenkowitz
Fuel Consumption and Energy Efficiency
One informative feature is the engine data display, showing gauges for kW (energy) and Nm (torque). This reinforces my inclination towards electric vehicles (EVs) for my next car. Mid-to-upper range EVs typically consume around 20 kWh per 100km. The Mercedes C300 2019 appears to use a similar energy equivalent. While it doesn’t display average energy consumption per 100km, my estimation is roughly 20 kW equivalent. This highlights the inherent inefficiency of fossil fuel cars. A liter of gasoline contains 9.7 kWh of energy. Using 7.5 liters per 100km translates to approximately 73 kWh of energy used to deliver around 22 kW, or about 27%, to the wheels. This is a concerning inefficiency when considered. Driving the Mercedes C300 2019 in a similar style to my S350, the C300 consumed 8.2l/100km, while my S350 requires 8.7l/100km under identical conditions.
Image: A view of the Mercedes C300 dashboard, highlighting the engine data display. Image Credit: 2019 Max Grenkowitz
Head-Up Display: Day vs. Night
The head-up display (HUD) was an interesting feature. Effective during daylight, it proved less ideal for nighttime driving. The display’s brightness, which I couldn’t find a way to adjust, felt too intense at night, making it harder to see objects at the roadside. I nearly missed spotting a kangaroo at the edge of the road at night, narrowly avoiding it at the last moment. I eventually located the button above the main light switch (marked with an ‘i’ and three dots, followed by a car pictogram) to disable the HUD. While the HUD aims to transform the windshield into a digital cockpit, it’s a slight exaggeration compared to actual aircraft cockpits. It does provide key driving information within the line of sight, theoretically improving road attention.
Air Conditioning and “Sync” Feature
The air conditioning in the Mercedes C300 2019 is responsive and effective. It shares a perceived “issue” with my S350: the “recirculate” button automatically deactivates after 30 minutes when the ambient temperature is above 10°C, or even sooner at lower temperatures. This auto-reset is inconvenient, especially in heavy traffic with poor air quality. Over time, I’ve developed a mental timer to reactivate the recirculate function shortly after it switches off, but this is only reliable above 10°C with the consistent 30-minute timer. Below 10°C, the timer duration varies, making the auto-reset less predictable.
A welcome improvement is the “sync” button for the A/C. While A/C engineers have achieved individual zone control, most drivers, especially commuters, often prefer a uniform temperature setting. The “sync” button addresses this. Once activated, temperature adjustments from either the driver or passenger side thermostat knobs control both zones. This setting persists even after the car is turned off.
Steering Assist and Lane Keeping
The steering assist system requires either one or both hands on the steering wheel, triggering an alarm if it doesn’t detect hand presence. This is by design. However, the system frequently alerted me even when my hands were on the wheel and relatively still for extended periods. I couldn’t discern the exact trigger – whether 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 near the lane edge to avoid potholes. My S350 seems to recognize “active” steering input and accommodate the intended direction.
Re-evaluating this, I tried a much lighter grip on the steering wheel, often driving with one hand. This reduced the frequency of alerts significantly; it only triggered once during a 100km drive. Hand position and driving style seem to influence the sensor’s sensitivity, with some days being more prone to alerts than others.
Adaptive Cruise Control Enhancements
The adaptive cruise control system, or “active distance assist,” is more refined in the Mercedes C300 2019 compared to my 2011 S350. It resumes driving more promptly when the car ahead moves, whereas my S350 requires manual accelerator input after a complete stop of more than a few seconds. The DISTRONIC in the C300 also reacts faster to changes in the speed of the vehicle in front. This improvement is expected, reflecting advancements in technology and processing power over the past decade. However, as the user manual emphasizes, drivers must always be prepared to brake. On two occasions, the system disengaged in the final moments of rapidly approaching a stop behind another car. Had I not been ready to brake, a collision would have been unavoidable. This disengagement, although infrequent (twice in 3,250km), was concerning and initially quite alarming. The DISTRONIC in my S350, when confused, tends to disengage earlier during deceleration.
ECO-Stop-Start Function
The ECO-Stop-Start function, which I disable in my S350 due to negligible fuel savings unless in heavy stop-and-go traffic, is also present in the Mercedes C300 2019. I haven’t checked if the setting can be permanently disabled in the C300, but I quickly developed a routine of deactivating it via the center console button after starting the engine. A quick online search reveals that Mercedes AGILITY control with INDIVIDUAL settings allows for customization, including the option to disable ECO-Stop-Start through the COMAND screen’s ADAPT settings. I didn’t explore this further during my loan period.
Brilliant Lighting System
The lighting system is exceptional. My S350 features Mercedes’ “intelligent lighting system” (ILS). Eight years later, the C-Class optionally offers ‘Multibeam’ LED headlamps with ‘Ultra Range’ high beam. Having driven only twice after sunset, I was impressed by the system’s performance. These lights enable rapid and precise electronic adjustments to the headlamps, adapting to current traffic conditions. The non-dazzling high beams (partial high beam) provide long-range illumination and can remain continuously activated. Intelligent technology, using an onboard camera, automatically excludes oncoming or preceding vehicles from the high beam’s reach by selectively dimming individual LEDs. Cornering lights utilize navigation data to proactively adjust light distribution before reaching roundabouts and junctions. Manual high beam mode offers an impressive 650m range.
Image: The center console of the Mercedes C300, highlighting various controls and features. Image Credit: 2019 Max Grenkowitz
Bluetooth and Media Playback Issues
I encountered some difficulties setting up music playback from my iPhone 6S via Bluetooth. Initially, after pairing the phone, both phone calls and music playback worked. However, on subsequent drives, while phone connection remained automatic, music playback ceased to function. Online forums revealed widespread Bluetooth/music playback issues. Common troubleshooting suggestions, such as phone connection guides, were irrelevant as the phone connection itself wasn’t the problem. Being unable to listen to my preferred calming music was frustrating, as I dislike radio’s constant advertising and chatter. Initially, I opted not to troubleshoot, considering the car a temporary loan. However, as the workshop stay extended, my motivation to resolve the issue grew, and I’m glad I did. Deregistering the phone multiple times proved ineffective. Ultimately, I set up Apple CarPlay, which worked flawlessly from the start. However, it requires Siri to be enabled (which I don’t typically use) and the phone to be connected via USB port #1 in the center console. I still prefer the media options in my S350, which offers playback from hard disk, SD card, and DVD for both audio and video. Video playback is available for passengers while driving, utilizing the split-view display.
Door Detent Design
A disliked “feature” was the door detent design. If the doors aren’t opened to the second detent (often too wide for typical parking spaces), they snap back to the first detent, which isn’t wide enough for comfortable rear passenger access, and can hit you in the side.
Relay Clicking Noises
Relays located under the driver’s side dashboard emitted audible clicking sounds when DISTRONIC was engaged or brakes were applied (disengaging DISTRONIC via the brake pedal). While the Mercedes C300 2019 isn’t the quietest car, these relay clicks were still noticeable.
Window Tint and Sun Protection
The driver and passenger windows lack tinting, which I find unacceptable, particularly in the strong Australian sun. The glass also doesn’t seem to offer infrared protection, as I experienced significant heat buildup from sun exposure through the driver-side window during westward commutes.
Piano Black Plastic Interior
The piano black plastic in the center console is unsuitable for a regularly driven car. Even the smallest dust particles and fingerprints are highly visible. General feedback regarding black plastic interiors echoes similar sentiments. It appears cheap, can cause unwanted reflections, and clashes with the overall interior aesthetic. I strongly recommend opting for the “black matte ash wood” trim instead.
Smaller Fuel Tank
Another observation was the smaller fuel tank capacity (likely 66 liters). It requires refueling a day sooner than my S350. I refuel my S350 every four days (800+km), compared to every three days (with approximately 100km remaining) in the Mercedes C300 2019. While not a major issue, given my quick six-minute refueling stops, on one occasion (day 15), I achieved 800km on a single tank with 67km range remaining. However, consistently reaching 800km seems less achievable.
Conclusion: A Capable Sedan, But Not for Everyone
While this review concludes with some criticisms, the safety features in the Mercedes C300 2019 should make driving it enjoyable…except perhaps for the noise levels. While noise levels might be comparable or better within its class (though I lack direct comparison data), the Mercedes C300 2019 is too bumpy and noisy internally for my personal preference.
Finally, I agree with the common sentiment that current sedan designs are becoming too homogenous, negatively impacting brand distinction. The C-Class now visually resembles the E-Class, which in turn looks like the S-Class, reminiscent of Audi’s uniform design approach. While dimensions differ – A-Class smallest, then C-Class, E-Class larger, and S-Class most spacious – the external visual differentiation between classes is diminishing. Ultimately, the “C” is definitely not an “S”.
Image: A visual comparison of Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class sedans, highlighting their similar exterior designs. Image Source: Mercedes-Benz Media
Upon retrieving my S350 after three weeks, the difference between the “S” and “C” felt immense – a consciously unfair comparison, admittedly. Suffice it to say, I understand why I own and prefer my S350. Driving home, with my music off, I had a wide grin. I couldn’t resist calling my wife to express how wonderful it felt to drive my car again. Upon arriving home, my excitement was evident, prompting my wife to jokingly predict I’d be praising the S-Class for the next two weeks. Perhaps not for two weeks, but the grin remains.
My drive home:
Image: The driver’s space in the Mercedes-Benz S350, highlighting the more spacious and less cluttered interior compared to the C300. Image Credit: 2019 Max Grenkowitz
…and a significantly less “busy” interior compared to the Mercedes C300 2019.
