2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300 What You Need To Know

The new Mercedes-Benz C 300 is more similar to the S-Class than any of its predecessors. Over the course of a week, we drove it hundreds of miles around Denver, Colorado Springs, and Castle Rock, Colorado. Along with a new trim lineup, the C 300 has an all-new interior and exterior.
 

For those who might need a refresher, the new C 300 comes in three distinct trim levels but all share the same engine and transmission. It develops 255 hp (190 kW) and 295 lb-ft (399 Nm) of torque and rear-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available. Here’s everything you wanted to know about it.
 
Will the electric window button decals peel off in this new model?
We can’t predict the future but we can tell you that this example gave us no reason to think that these buttons would suffer such a fate. Zoom into the photos we took of the window switch panel and the steering wheel buttons and you’ll notice that there’s no decal edge or anything of the sort. Hopefully, they’ll last as long as the car does because if they don’t, they’ll be even more frustrating to use in practice.
 
How is the AWD?
This questioner asked that we test it out in the snow to see how it does. While we were in Colorado, it was early August and snow wasn’t exactly prevalent. Despite that, we did have a number of heavy thunderstorms and rain showers hit the area while we were driving.
 
I can tell you that it’s as sure-footed as you could want it to be. Sure, the near-new Pirelli P Zero tires had something to do with that, but the AWD system itself is very confidence inspiring.
 
Any squeaks or rattles?
Somewhat surprisingly, no. Many of us have heard anecdotal stories or even experienced some diminishment in quality from the lower-end level of Mercedes products in the past. I’m happy to say that we experienced none of that over the course of seven days with the C 300. We tested it all too, doors, trunk, hood, storage cubbies, climate vents, and more. It was a pleasant experience.
 
How much better is the Advanced Driving Assistance Package Plus?
Well, to begin with, there’s no “Plus” package on top of the Advanced Driving Assistance Package (ADAP) but we point that out because there has been one on past MB models. For the C 300, ADAP adds active blind-spot assist, active emergency stop assist, active lane-change assist, active lane-keeping assist, active speed limit assist, and a lot more.
 
Compared to older Mercedes-Benz models it’s considerably more refined. For example, we experienced no false alerts during our time with the car. In addition, features like the active lane-change assist are seriously impressive and smooth. We also appreciated the extended restart stop-and-go cruise control which took the frustration out of mid-day Denver traffic more than once.
 
Are the headlights improved very much?
Compared to the last model, the new headlights on the C 300 Pinnacle are night and day. Sincerely, they’re so bright and clear that one of the first things I said after taking the wheel was that I need to get a set for my own vehicle. In addition, our tester had the optional Digital Light package which added cool features including a projector that illuminates a chevron into the adjacent lane when you activate the turn signal thereby adding one more visual indication to traffic around you that you’re planning to move.
 
According to Mercedes, it can actually project “a variety of icons to help alert you to detected issues such as construction zones, pedestrians, lane drift or following too closely.” Finally, the adaptive headlight feature that bends into turns is probably the best I’ve ever experienced.
 
Isn’t it time to drive the 2023 model?
Well, no. Different automakers release different year models whenever they decide to and the 2023 C-Class has yet to make its debut. The 2023 AMG C43 should be a hoot though and we’re excited to get behind the wheel of it as soon as possible.