The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a luxury sedan that has been the dream of countless individuals, has faced some challenges in recent years.
Since its generational change in 2021, it has been competing against the BMW 3 Series’ 2.0T engine with its 1.5T + 48V mild hybrid system. Although the interior still exudes luxury, the perceived “downgrade” in power has led many potential buyers to switch their allegiance to the 3 Series.
Data shows that in 2024, the BMW 3 Series is expected to lead sales in China by nearly 20% over the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, while the Audi A4L barely maintains its presence through significant discounts.
However, Mercedes is clearly unwilling to settle for being “number two”. Today, images from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have revealed the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with the most significant change being the return of the 2.0T engine!
What has been the most criticized aspect of the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It’s not the design or the luxury feel, but rather the “small heart” of the 1.5T engine.
While the high-power version with 204 horsepower is sufficient for daily use, it still falls short compared to the 245 horsepower of the BMW 325Li, leaving the acceleration of the C260L lacking.
Even more awkward is the 1.5T engine’s strained roar during high-speed overtaking, which does not align well with the concept of “luxury”.
But with this facelift, Mercedes has finally made a significant change—the new C-Class will be equipped with the same 2.0T engine as the E-Class, with a low-power version of 125kW (C200L) and a high-power version of 150kW (C260L).
Although the parameters remain consistent with the current 1.5T, the larger displacement means more power reserve, significantly enhancing the sense of ease during high-speed cruising.
Mercedes engineers clearly understand that simply changing the engine is not enough; the new C-Class will likely optimize the shifting logic of the 9AT transmission for a more linear power output. Coupled with the assistance of the 48V mild hybrid system, the low-speed jerkiness is expected to be further reduced.
From the revealed images, the exterior changes of the new C-Class are minimal, retaining the familiar “Night Sky” grille and three-pointed star emblem combination, but the lines of the front bumper are sharper, and the side waistline appears more muscular.
However, what truly keeps the Mercedes-Benz C-Class standing strong is its interior.
The combination of a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and an 11.9-inch central control screen, along with 64-color ambient lighting and Nappa leather wrapping, creates an atmosphere that immediately conveys the aura of a “small S-Class” upon entry.
The third-generation MBUX infotainment system supports dialect recognition and full-scene wake-up commands. Although its smoothness may not match that of new domestic brands, the luxurious ambiance still surpasses that of the BMW 3 Series.
The reason the BMW 3 Series has been able to outpace the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is not only due to power but also intelligent driving capabilities.
The current C-Class’s L2-level driver assistance features are average, while BMW’s Pro automated driving assistance system performs more stably in high-speed and congested conditions.
However, the new C-Class is expected to upgrade to L2+ level, adding automatic lane change assistance and centimeter-level following precision. If the actual experience approaches that of the E-Class, BMW’s advantage will significantly diminish.
Currently, the terminal discounts for the existing C-Class have exceeded 100,000, with the C260L Sport version’s bare price even dropping to the 250,000 range. Whether the new model with the 2.0T will see a slight price increase remains to be seen.
If the new C-Class maintains the current guide price (starting at 334,800), combined with terminal discounts, it could effectively compete with the low-power version of the BMW 3 Series (320Li) using the 2.0T engine, creating a situation of differentiated competition.
Moreover, there are reports that the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will undergo a major redesign, possibly featuring a plug-in hybrid system or even a fully electric version. By then, the battle among the BBA mid-size cars may just be heating up…