Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes C-Class Coupe review

The Mercedes C-Class Coupe is the smallest coupe it makes, but it’s reassuringly big on style

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
  • Elegant design, rear seats easy to access, smooth ride
  • Noisy diesels, lifeless steering, not as well equipped as rivals
Find your Mercedes C-Class
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

While Mercedes has a strong heritage when it comes to two-door coupes, the current C-Class Coupe is only the second car of its type the brand has ever built. The first generation C-Class only came in saloon and estate guises, and while a coupe model was offered with the second-generation C-Class in 2001, the SportCoupe (later renamed CLC) was more of a stylish three-door hatchback than a proper coupe. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Mercedes finally offered a rival to the all conquering BMW 3 Series Coupe in 2011 but the current C-Class Coupe is the most stylish of the lot sharing key design themes with the much larger S-Class Coupe

There’s a wide range of versions – from entry-level Sport right through to the Mercedes-AMG tuned C 43 and C 63 models – to suit all budgets and tastes with every version coming with a well made interior and space for four people. Its nearest rival is the similarly well appointed BMW 4 Series Coupe and although that car has a dynamic edge, the Mercedes is a stylish and well rounded product.

The Mercedes C-Class Coupe is the third body style for Mercedes' compact executive, following on from the four-door saloon and C-Class Estate. It arrived in 2015, and was followed in 2016 by the C-Class Cabriolet, which is essentially the same car, but with a canvas roof in place of the standard metal top.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

This is the second-generation C-Class Coupe, and it has a more shapely look than the last model. From the nose to the back of the bonnet, the lines are similar to the C-Class saloon, but the low roof and pillarless doors give the C-Class Coupe an elegant profile. The sculpted doors and rounded rear end complete the look. Inside, the cabin is really designed for two, as there are only two small seats with limited space in the back. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Mercedes C-Class Coupe vs Audi A5

Mercedes offers the C-Class with a range of petrol and diesel engines. The different engines get their own badging, kicking off with the C 200 petrol. There's also a C 300, while the C 43 and C 63 are the top-performing AMG variants of the range, in terms of engine size, this comprises a 2.0-litre turbo four with 184bhp or 245bhp, a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo with 367bhp and a 4.0-litre V8 twin turbo with 476bhp or 510bhp in the C 63 S. For diesels, there's less choice, as there's a C 220 d and a C 250 d, both of which get Merc's 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel, with either 170bhp or 204bhp. Unlike the saloon, there's currently no 'e' badged C-Class Coupe hybrid available.

The majority of cars come with an auto gearbox as standard - the only exceptions are the C 200 and C 220 d, and these can be upgraded with an auto anyway. All petrol cars feature Merc's seven-speed 7G-Tronic box, while the diesels get the 9G-Tronic auto with nine forward gears. With so many ratios to choose from, it's easiest to let the car's electronics deal with shifting, although there are paddleshifters behind the steering wheel for manual control. If you want 4MATIC four-wheel drive, it's available as an option on both diesels and the C 200 petrol, while the C 43 AMG model gets it as standard.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Another omission from the C-Class Coupe range is SE trim. You can only get the two-door in higher spec Sport or AMG Line specs, while the C 43 and C 63 AMG models in their own right. On top of all these trims, Mercedes offers Premium and Premium Plus upgrade packs across the range.

These add kit such as larger alloy wheels, upgraded navigation and premium stereos, depending on what pack you go for, although the Premium Plus pack carries a hefty price premium of about £3,000 over standard. And because of the kind of kit these packs add to the C-Class, you can't get them with manual gearbox cars, because there's not enough room by the gearlever to add Merc's Comand control wheel. 

There aren't many four-seater two-door rivals to the C-Class Coupe, but the ones on sale are very tough opponents. The Merc's two chief rivals are the Audi A5 Coupe and BMW 4 Series. All three have their own merits, with the A5 being more efficient, the C-Class more comfortable and the 4 Series being the sportiest model to drive.

The high-performance C 63 AMG is a convincing rival for the BMW M4 Coupe and upcoming Audi RS5 Coupe. If you want something non-German, then your options are limited to the Lexus RC coupe, which comes in petrol, hybrid and V8-powered RC F guises, and the Infiniti Q60, which only comes with petrol power.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price
Vauxhall Mokka facelift - front static

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price

Vauxhall’s stylish small SUV has been given an interior makeover, bigger screens and a simplified engine line-up
News
6 Nov 2024
Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k
Dacia Spring Cargo - front static

Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k

The commercial version of Dacia’s cut-price Spring EV ditches the back seats to increase cargo space
News
5 Nov 2024
New BMW M3 will keep petrol power, but there'll be an EV, too
2028 BMW M3 render (watermarked)

New BMW M3 will keep petrol power, but there'll be an EV, too

Next-generation BMW super-saloon will be available with choice of two powertrains when it goes on sale in 2028
News
7 Nov 2024