Review
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has secured a spot in the top 10 new cars of 2017. By the start of November, 41,281 units had been registered – only 1,900 cars fewer than the Vauxhall Astra.
Mercedes’ marketing activity suggests its strong performance will continue to the year’s end. Currently, customers get a £6,115 deposit contribution on an entry level C200d SE if they sign up to a 48-month PCP, which will cost them just £299 per month. In contrast, Audi is putting a £3,150 deposit contribution into its PCP for the A4 diesel, which will cost the buyer £313 monthly.
The level of customer incentive Mercedes-Benz is sustaining means the C-Class can be attainable for existing customers trading in a smaller A-Class or CLA-Class, if they wish to move up the range. Winning new buyers and moving them up through products is a crucial part of Mercedes’ strategy. Dr Dieter Zetsche, Daimler chairman and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, once told AM the premium brand had been held back by its first-generation A-Class’s inability to attract 30-something executives who it could try to hold on to.
Having lived with an A-Class in 2014, and now spent almost two months using our long-term test car, the attraction of the C-Class is understandable. It’s a noticeable step up in terms of interior quality and driving refinement, as befits a model that has company car user-choosers and middle-class families in its sights.
An award-winning journalist and editor, with two decades of experience covering the motor retail industry, and accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) plus the National Council for the Training of Journalist (NCTJ)
As editor of AM since 2016, Tim is responsible for its media content, planning and production across AM's multiple channels, including the website, digital reports, webinars, social media and the editorial content of AM's events, Automotive Management Live and the AM Awards. His focus is on interviewing senior leaders of franchised dealer groups and motor manufacturer national sales companies to examine latest developments in UK motor retail.
Factsheet
Price: £39,405 when new (est £26,000 now)
Engine: 2.1-litre diesel
Performance: 0-62mpH 7.6secs, top speed 142mph
Gearbox: 7sp auto
Fuel efficiency: 64.2mpg
CO2 emissions: 114g/km CO2