2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Overview Change Vehicle

This 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and includes Mercedes C-Class safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the automaker's best-selling model worldwide, has been completely redesigned for the 2008 model year. As expected, the third-generation model is bigger, better and more luxurious than its predecessor. Other than the obvious styling changes (mostly influenced by the flagship S-Class), the new C-Class benefits from another two inches of wheelbase, a stiffer chassis, and an upgraded suspension — these add more room in the cabin and improve the ride. Additionally, the new C-Class is chock-full of trickle-down technology from its bigger E-Class and S-Class siblings. These include Adaptive Braking, Agility Control suspension, and the Pre-Safe occupant protection system. In keeping with today's automotive infotainment demands, the multimedia COMAND system has also been heavily updated for 2008.

While the C-Class is the automaker's least expensive model in North America, this compact sedan plays in a very competitive segment. Like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, its close German rivals, all C-Class models feature a full array of standard power accessories and convenience features, as is expected in this segment.

In sharp contrast to its competitors (or any other model in its lineup, for that matter), Mercedes-Benz is offering the new C-Class in two distinctive flavors: Luxury or Sport. The Luxury models feature a traditional grille, complete with a raised three-pointed star hood ornament and elegant cosmetic touches throughout the cabin. The Sport model has a much more aggressive grille, with a large three-pointed star integrated into its design. Of course, its interior complements the sport theme with bolstered seats and its own unique trim. In addition, the C300 Luxury rides a bit softer than the C300 Sport, and it has a more muted exhaust note.

That said, the 2008 C-Class is offered in six different configurations: C300 Luxury, C300 Luxury 4MATIC, C300 Sport, C300 Sport 4MATIC, C350 Sport and C63 AMG. The C300 Luxury and C300 Sport models share the same standard 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, eight-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, COMAND control system with a retractable display and "MB-Tex" upholstery (it’s a fancy name for high-grade vinyl). All models with a 4MATIC designation add the automaker's full-time all-wheel drive system.

An optional Premium I Package on the C300 models adds rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, satellite radio and heated front seats. The Premium I Package is standard on the C350 Sport — a completely different model fitted with a larger 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine and bird's-eye maple wood interior trim.

The Premium II Package, offered on all the C300 models and the C350 model, adds bi-xenon headlamps, folding rear seats and a power rear sunshade. Both models may also be fitted with a Multimedia Package that adds a hard-drive navigation system, voice controls, and a premium Harmon/Kardon surround-sound audio system. Among the stand-alone options, the C-Class is available with leather upholstery, TeleAid satellite communications, 18-inch aluminum wheels and an iPod integration kit.

The C63 AMG, the flagship of the C-Class lineup, is a performance-oriented variant designed to compete against the race-ready Audi RS4 and BMW M3. In addition to its standard 6.2-liter V8, it wears special body cladding, larger 18-inch wheels, performance tires and a very unique sport-tuned interior (flat-bottom steering wheel, sport seats, AMG gauges, etc…). In addition to sharing many of the same option packages as the C300 and C350 models, the C63 AMG may be ordered with a Performance Package that includes a limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes, stiffer springs and a top speed governor bumped from 155 mph to 174 mph.

The standard C300 models are fitted with a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 228 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, put to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission on Sport models or a standard seven-speed automatic transmission on Luxury models. All-wheel drive, called 4MATIC, is optional on both the Sport and the Luxury trim levels. It is a full-time system, fully automatic in operation, designed to increase performance while driving in inclement weather.

The mid-range C350 Sport receives a larger 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While most "sport" models (including those from Audi and BMW) offer a manual transmission, Mercedes chooses to fit the more powerful C-Class model with a standard seven-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive powertrain. All-wheel drive is not available with the C350.

The range-topping C63 AMG is a modern-day muscle car. Shoehorned under its hood is a high-performance 6.2-liter V8 rated at 450 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a standard seven-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters for manual control), the rear-wheel-drive sedan will sprint to 60 mph in less than five seconds.

The EPA rates fuel economy for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with the standard manual gearbox, or 18-mpg city/25-mpg highway with the available automatic transmission. The C300 4MATIC model rates 17-mpg /25-mpg highway, the same as the more powerful C350 model. With the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, you pay at the pump for its performance, to the tune of 12 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. All models require premium fuel.

Mercedes reportedly subjected the new C-Class to more than 100 crash tests during its development. Equipped with six standard airbags, including front seat-mounted torso airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags, the 2008 C-Class earned 4-Star driver and front passenger crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, combined with 5-Star driver and rear passenger side-impact ratings. The car’s resistance to rollover rates 4 Stars.

The new C-Class fares well in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), where it earned the top rating of Good in offset frontal, roof strength, and rear impact assessments. The IIHS did not perform side-impact tests on the new C-Class, which makes it ineligible for the organization’s coveted Top Safety Pick rating.

JDPower.com and Consumer Reports each predict the C-Class will perform at better than average levels with regard to long-term dependability, which is excellent considering that the C-Class is completely redesigned.

Without question, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an automobile that Vehix recommends. It is a marked improvement over its predecessor in ride quality, interior space, and automotive technology. Plus, it offers impressive levels of crash protection combined with favorable reliability predictions. As such, the C-Class delivers top-quality German engineering and technology in a compact four-door platform. Just keep in mind that competitors like Acura, Infiniti, Lexus, and Cadillac offer much longer lists of standard equipment and convenience features for a lower sticker price.

By Michael Harley