2026 Mercedes C-Class Refreshes With Starry LED Headlights

The current fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class is still considered fresh and premium enough for its segment, but that hasn’t stopped the German brand from starting work on a mid-life facelift. Shortly after our spy photographers snapped a wagon prototype testing, we now have an idea of what the new sedan will look like.
 

As this new model is only a refresh, don’t expect any significant changes. With that said it will be easily identifiable from the outgoing model, with the most apparent design changes being up front, and more specifically the headlights.
 
These new lights will be similar in overall shape to those of the current model, but they’ll feature new star-shaped LED daytime running lights. The new headlight style was first previewed by the CLA Concept and will be introduced across the entire Mercedes line-up, including the updated S-Class. The front fascia of this prototype is covered by plenty of camo, indicating that more changes are in the works, including a tweaked grille and a new bumper.
 

The rest of this car has been left fully exposed. It has the same rear end as the current C-Class, down to the LED taillights. It’s possible the facelifted C-Class could adopt a revised light signature with similar star-shaped elements incorporated into the taillights.
 
Our spy photographers have yet to snap any clear images of the interior. From what we can tell, this prototype has the same three central air vents as the current car and as such, will probably have a very familiar layout with a portrait-oriented infotainment display and a separate digital instrument cluster. That could mean the firm’s flagship Hyperscreen won’t be offered in the C-Class, which isn’t much of a surprise, but it’s still a bit of a shame. We could however see an updated infotainment system, with more features and useful functions.
 
Mercedes-Benz is expected to launch the new C-Class later this year, just in time for the 2026 model year.