Click the blue text / Follow usFriends, during my ten years on the racetrack, I’ve had quite a bit of interaction with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Back then, the C-Class was like an athlete in formal wear, embodying both elegance and toughness. Last year, I caught a glimpse of a C43 AMG, and its aggressive cornering stance brought back memories. Today, standing in front of the 2025 C-Class, my feelings are as complex as the tangled wires in an engine compartment.
Let’s first talk about the car’s ‘aesthetic evolution’.
The front face of the new C-Class has changed; the grille extends down more aggressively, almost as if it’s displeased. I remember when I first entered the industry, a design director from a German manufacturer told me, ‘The front face is the car’s face; it must be dignified.’ Look at it now; the grille is almost too friendly. However, compared to BMW’s nostrils, Mercedes is still relatively restrained, at least it didn’t make my mom ask, ‘Why does this car look so unhappy?’
The headlights have also undergone a complete transformation, with the internal light source shaped like a three-pointed star, which at first glance resembles those trendy contact lenses. But don’t rush to criticize; the lighting effect at night is quite interesting, comparable to the modified taillights on my 2008 Honda Fit—of course, the C-Class has a much higher taste.
Moving to the rear, the taillights have also been redesigned, mirroring the design language of the new E-Class. To be honest, this taillight looks like it was directly copied from the E-Class, much like my dad giving me his high-end shirt to wear—though they share a style, it feels a bit awkward on me. However, the overall proportions of the rear are harmonious, much more pleasing than some coupe models that look ‘chopped off’.
Next, let’s discuss the ‘cockpit experience’—
Upon entering the driver’s seat, the first feeling is that Mercedes truly knows how to please the driver. The steering wheel feels just right, like holding a perfectly calibrated fencing handle. This tactile sensation reminds me of what my instructor said ten years ago while test-driving at the Nürburgring: ‘The steering wheel is the most direct communication channel between the driver and the track.’
The vertical screen in the center console is much more coordinated than the ‘iPad stuck on the dashboard’ in the BMW 3 Series. However, the touch response… emmm… occasionally has a slight ‘thinking time’, reminiscent of my old K4 that often lagged. Who would have thought that a luxury car costing over 300,000 yuan and my student computer costing over 20,000 yuan could share common traits?
As for the interior materials, the decorative pieces around the touch control panel, which appear to be metallic, feel much better than I expected. Of course, compared to the S-Class, it still falls short, much like my family’s traditional lamb soup; it looks the same on the surface, but the way my grandfather cooks it is something I can never replicate.
The most noteworthy aspect of this car is its ‘claimed fuel-efficient’ power system.
Don’t underestimate the fuel-efficient power claim. The all-new 1.5T high-power + 48V mild hybrid system boasts a maximum power of 150kW and a peak torque of 300N·m on paper. It may not sound particularly impressive, but let me tell you, the actual driving experience feels like that cultured person who seems gentle but can down half a liter of white liquor when it counts.
The brilliance of this system lies in the tuning logic of the 48V starter generator. When you lightly press the accelerator while cruising, the system keeps the gasoline engine in the optimal fuel economy range, with the motor intervening as needed. Just the other day, I was stuck in traffic for half an hour on the North Third Ring Road during the morning rush, and the actual fuel consumption was only 5.9L/100km, slightly lower than the official 6.1L.However, don’t celebrate too early; after a weekend of spirited driving on mountain roads, the fuel consumption shot up to 9.8L, making me regret that half tank of 98-octane gasoline.
The transmission is Mercedes’ 9-speed automatic, and to be honest, this transmission is like an accountant with mild obsessive-compulsive disorder—meticulous, but occasionally overly particular in unnecessary situations. For instance, at low speeds, it insists on dropping to the lowest gear, revving high, and when you stomp on the accelerator, there’s a delay. However, during high-speed cruising, it is so quiet that you might doubt whether the engine has turned off.
In comparison with three cars, the linearity of this powertrain feels more natural than the BMW 3 Series’ 2.0T, without that abrupt turbo intervention; compared to the Audi A5L’s all-wheel-drive system, while the cornering limit is slightly lower, the everyday driving lightness is significantly better. To give you a vivid analogy, BMW is like a sprinter ready to explode at any moment, Audi is the tireless marathon runner, while Mercedes is that graceful gymnast—less aggressive, but every move is pleasing to the eye.
After discussing all this, we must mention its ‘price threshold’—
The official starting price is expected to be 334,800 yuan. To be honest, there are quite a few joint venture mid-size cars available at this price point. The question is, would someone buying a Mercedes compare it to a Magotan? No, they would compare it to the 3 Series and A5L. From this perspective, the C-Class’s cost-performance ratio… emmm… is acceptable.
Of course, this price is just the starting point. To truly equip it to the teeth, adding options like adaptive air suspension, 360° panoramic imaging, and seat ventilation and heating—these ‘essential’ features will easily add another 30,000 to 50,000 yuan. This doesn’t even include the paint and wheel options, which are all about aesthetics. But then again, when buying a luxury brand, one shouldn’t be too concerned about these things, much like when I was installing racing seats, and the technician asked if I wanted to change the steering wheel as well; without hesitation, I pulled out my wallet, only to find it thinner than I expected…
Finally, I want to say—
The new C-Class is not without its flaws. Some details disappointed me, such as the feel of the touchpad and the rear legroom being slightly cramped for passengers over 185cm tall. However, it undeniably maintains Mercedes’ consistent elegant genes while significantly improving driving quality.
My grandfather’s repair shop has worked on German cars for half a lifetime, and he always says, ‘A good car isn’t one without flaws, but one where the flaws don’t affect the driving experience.’ By this standard, this C-Class passes.