2023 Mercedes- Benz C-Class

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absolutely AUTO REVIEW  | By Steve Kursar –

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup of compact coupes and sedans presents a variety of vehicles ready to satisfy anyone looking to step up into the luxury class.  Whereas once there was only the boring C-Class four-door sedan available to tempt buyers to join the Mercedes family, this fifth generation has cars that are designed to make that daily drive something special every time you get behind the wheel.

The first-generation C-Class was introduced back in 1993 as a compact sedan designed to appeal to buyers anxious to add a Mercedes-Benz car to their garage.  It was solid and stodgy, but it garnered fans who liked that it wasn’t a large, boaty sedan.  Later on, the wholly lovable and fun-to-drive CLK convertible joined the C-Class clan to round out the lineup.  There was even a station wagon, but those models have been replaced mainly by crossovers.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class starts off with a base model that brings a $44,850 MSRP price tag.  It’s powered by a 255 hp, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt mild hybrid technology that provides a further 148 lb-ft of torque, as well as up to an additional 20 hp for short periods for smooth acceleration and power delivery. That little bit of hybrid power provides more than its share of extra acceleration when you need it most.

The interior of the C-Class points to Mercedes-Benz’s clear focus on technology with a freestanding 12.3” digital instrument panel and new large, portrait orientation 11.9” central touchscreen multimedia display that is slightly tilted towards the driver underscoring the driver-centered design. Additional enhancements include the latest generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), bringing C-Class tech on par with the flagship S-Class.  Individual profiles that can even be activated by biometric authentication via the fingerprint sensor.

Performance enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the introduction of the newest C-Class model, the AMG C43, which is expected later this year.  With technology derived directly from Mercedes involvement with Formula 1 racing, the AMG C43 sedan is a supercar disguised as a family sedan.  The engine features the world’s first series-production engine to be turbocharged with an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger, a system derived from the technology developed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Whether you’re looking to move up to a luxury vehicle or experience F1 tech built into a family sedan, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is worth exploring.