2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 C-Class, and includes Mercedes-Benz C-Class safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Every luxury marque needs a mainstream sedan, whether it’s BMW with its vaunted 3 Series, Lexus with its popular ES 350, or Mercedes-Benz with its C-Class. The C-Class often stands as the entry-point into the Mercedes brand for consumers, slotting in below the bigger (and more expensive) E- and S-Class models.

For 2012, the C-Class gets new styling, new engines, a new coupe body style, and some new features. That’s a lot of change for the C-Class, but the upgrades aren’t surprising since the C-Class competes in a cutthroat class and it needs to be able to keep up to date with the other luxury marques.

Perhaps the biggest news is the addition of a two-door coupe model to the lineup. Beyond that, a new entry-level model called the C250 debuts in both coupe and sedan guise. Two new engines are offered – a turbocharged, 1.8-liter four-cylinder for the C250 and a 3.5-liter V6 for the C350 – each paired exclusively with a new seven-speed automatic transmission.

Additionally, let’s not forget that the car gets updated inside and out. The headlights, taillights, grille, and bumpers are revamped, there’s a new aluminum hood for the sedan, and coupes are equipped with AMG-influenced styling. Interiors get a new full-color gauge cluster, a new central dashboard touch-screen with Bluetooth connectivity and music streaming, next-generation telematics technology, and revised design and materials.

And after all that, Mercedes also adds standard Attention Assist drowsiness detection and a Hold feature for the Adaptive Brake technology, along with newly optional Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist features. Parktronic front and rear parking sensors also helps the C-Class driver to find a parallel parking space that’s big enough for the car to fit, and helps the driver steer into the space. Mercedes also upgrades the optional Comand navigation system to provide real-time traffic reports, alternative route mapping, compass overlay, and 3-D mapping.

Mercedes C-Class buyers have lots of variety from which to choose. Coupes can be had in C250 Sport, C350 Sport, and high-performance C63 AMG trims, while sedans are offered in C250 Sport, C250 Luxury, C300 4Matic Sport, C300 4Matic Luxury, C350 Sport, and high-performance C63 AMG models.

Standard equipment for the C250 Sedan models includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, a power sunroof, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, power front seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a HomeLink universal remote control, HD radio, an auxiliary audio input jack, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming capability. The C250 Sport gets staggered width twin-spoke alloys, a lowered sport suspension, a three-spoke steering wheel, aluminum interior trim, LED taillights, front sport seats, and sportier styling inside and out. A stand-up hood ornament, split-spoke alloy wheel design, four-spoke steering wheel, Burl Walnut interior trim, and a more conservative appearance distinguish the C250 Luxury model.

Upgrading to the C300 Sport or C300 Luxury adds 4Matic all-wheel-drive and a standard iPod interface kit. Get the C350 Sport and, in addition to a significantly more powerful V6 engine, the car is equipped with AMG-design wheels, a rear spoiler, Black Ash wood interior trim, a power adjustable steering wheel, memory settings for the driver, and a Harmon/Kardon surround sound system with satellite radio.

Most of the C350 Sport’s standard features are available on other C-Class Sedan models in the form of an optional Premium Package. All sedans can be equipped with a Leather Package (leather and three-position memory for the driver’s seat), a Lighting Package (bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, and headlight washers), a Multi-media Package (navigation, traffic and weather reporting, a seven-inch in-dash screen, rearview camera, music hard drive, and Gracenotes music database), and a Lane Tracking Package (Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist). Additional options include Keyless Go, Parktronic with parking assist, panoramic sunroof, rear-seat side-impact airbags, and 18-inch AMG-design wheels.

The all-new 2012 C-Class Coupes come only in Sport trim. In addition to the features offered on the C250 and C350 Sport Sedans, the C250 and C350 Sport Coupes have paddle shifters, a panoramic sunroof, rear-seat side-impact airbags, and a power steering column. Otherwise, standard and optional equipment closely mirrors the C-Class Sedan.

Then there’s the C63 AMG Sedan and the C63 AMG Coupe. These are the high-performance models, infused with a hand-crafted 6.3-liter V8 engine, a Speedshift MCT transmission, performance suspension, high-performance brakes, auxiliary engine oil cooling, and a stability control system that allows for a little extra leeway before kicking in. To make sure the AMG models standard apart from regular C-Class models, they’re equipped with a whole bunch of AMG stuff including subtle exterior design enhancements, lightweight alloy wheels, sport seats, sport pedals, a sport steering wheel, sport gauges, and unique leather.

AMG buyers can upgrade their cars with many of the same items offered on the standard C-Class: the Multi-media Package, the Lighting Package, the Lane Tracking Package, Keyless Go, and Parktronic. Exclusives include a limited-slip rear differential and carbon-fiber trim for the interior, each of which cost more than $2,000, but it’s hard to see buyers who have the dough for a C63 caring too much. An AMG Development Package is also available, providing 481 horsepower, a 174-mph top speed, better brakes with red calipers, forged lightweight engine pistons, a carbon fiber trunk lid spoiler, and a carbon-fiber spoiler for just more than six grand.

Mercedes-Benz plans to continue expanding the C-Class lineup during 2012. A C350 4Matic Coupe is expected, as well as a limited-production C63 AMG Black Series model.

The C250 models are equipped with a new turbocharged, direct-injected, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine making 201 horsepower. A seven-speed automatic transmission, equipped with paddle shifters on the Coupe, puts the power to the rear wheels, and the C250 gets to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The C300 Sedan models get a carryover 3.0-liter V6 that makes 228 ponies, but the added weight of 4Matic means acceleration matches the C250. A seven-speed automatic is standard, and fuel economy measures 18-city/25-highway, which means you’d really better want all-wheel-drive to select this over a C250.

The new 3.5-liter V6 in the C350 puts out 302 horsepower (an increase of 34 over 2011), good enough to propel the car to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. As with the C250, the C350 is rear-wheel drive, and power is delivered through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is slightly better for the C350 Sedan vs. the C350 Coupe. The four-door gets 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The two-door is rated 19-city/28-highway.

The C63 AMG is a different animal altogether, equipped with a hand-built 6.3-liter V8 making an impressive 451 ponies (481 horses with the optional AMG Development Package). An AMG Speedshift MCT automated manual gearbox drives the rear wheels, and acceleration to 60 mph takes just 4.4 seconds. That’s 1.5 seconds quicker than a C350, but fuel economy takes a really big hit in the process, dropping to 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

Every 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is equipped with traction control, stability control, and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist. Nine airbags are standard including supplemental side-impact restraints designed to protect the pelvis and a knee airbag for the driver. Rear-seat side-impact airbags are standard on the C-Class Coupe and optional on the C-Class Sedan. Mercedes also installs Attention Assist driver drowsiness detection in every C-Class it builds. Rain-sensing wipers are also included, along with adaptive braking technology, an advanced tire pressure monitoring system, and a free six-month trial subscription to Mbrace telematics.

Optional safety features range from a reversing camera and Parktronic front and rear bumper sensors to Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination are also available.

So far, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has only tested the C250 and C350 Sedans, which earn an overall rating of 4 Stars. We must point out, however, that in the frontal barrier test, the C-Class Sedan protected the front passenger at a 2-Star level, which is not good at all.

The NHTSA rating underscores how recent test parameters have changed, making it harder for cars to do well in testing. By comparison, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class a Top Safety Pick based on its top-rated performance in frontal-, side- and rear-impact assessments, as well as a roof crush strength test.

In terms of reliability, Consumer Reports predicts the refreshed C-Class will prove average over time. J.D. Power and Associates has not released a prediction for the C-Class lineup as this review is published.

Mercedes-Benz says that the redesigned C-Class has more than 2,000 new parts, along with 13 new standard features and five new safety systems.

The standard torque split for the C300 Sedan’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is 45 percent to the front wheels and 55 percent to the rear wheels. The system can, however, distribute the bulk of engine power front-to-rear between axles or side-to-side on a single axle.

Every C-Class model is equipped with an Agility Control suspension that automatically calibrates itself to road surface conditions to preserve an ideal blend of ride comfort and handling capability.

The standard braking system includes predictive brake priming, which readies full braking power when the driver rapidly lifts a foot off the brake pedal. Automatic brake drying, hill start assist, and a brake hold feature that makes life in the clogged lane easier are also included.

To find out how the improved C-Class looks and feels in person, and to experience the new turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine for ourselves, we arranged to spend a week with a 2012 Mercedes C250 Sport Sedan.

Our test car arrived without any options, except for a basic navigation system, satellite radio, metallic paint, and a set of 18-inch AMG wheels. As such, the sticker price was less than $40,000, a relative bargain – but only by Benz standards.

The turbocharged four-cylinder engine feels faster than it actually is thanks to the broad spread of torque between 2,200 and 4,300 rpm, but the C250 is not as fuel-efficient as it should be, most likely due to its hefty 3,428-pound curb weight. We averaged 22.2 mpg in combined driving. The EPA says we should have gotten 25 mpg.

Aside from our test car’s disappointing fuel economy, and with just one other exception, we thoroughly enjoyed driving the C250 Sport. This is a car that will get you speeding tickets, because when you’re going 90 mph down the freeway, you’d swear you were doing no more than 60.

Rock solid, and quite quiet inside, the C250 is easy to drive in town thanks to light-effort steering, and the responsive little turbocharged engine. Take it down your favorite back road at speed, and the C-Class comes alive, sticking securely to the pavement and communicating every necessary nuance to its driver.

If there’s a reason to choose a different entry-luxury car, it’s got nothing to do with front seat comfort. Though the front chairs appear to be rather flat and featureless, they do a good job of supporting the driver and front passenger on longer trips as well as holding them in during spirited drives. The back seat is tight for adults, however.

No, the reason to consider an alternative model – and there are many choices in this class – is because the C250’s new seven-speed adaptive automatic transmission occasionally behaves as though it is utterly befuddled as to what gear it should be choosing. The situation is made worse with Efficiency and Sport modes, the former attempting to maximize fuel economy and the latter eager to keep the four-cylinder in the thick of its torque band. Neither situation is ideal.

Along with the E-Class and S-Class, the 2012 C-Class is one of the building-block models for Mercedes-Benz. This year’s refreshed styling, new engines, and additional features are likely to draw buyers to Mercedes-Benz dealers, and the availability of a coupe body style certainly won’t hurt. The C-Class competes against appealing and well-regarded models like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G, and Lexus IS, but with this year’s slew of improvements, the Baby Benz can hold its own. The only reservation we have is that 2-Star frontal-impact crash-test result. Not good.

By Tim Healey and Christian Wardlaw