Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric Review & Prices

This is the new Mercedes C-Class EV, an all-electric saloon car that’s going to be the natural alternative to the upcoming BMW i3 as well as the existing Tesla Model 3, Polestar 4, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Volkswagen ID7.

It has a long range of up to 473 miles, a hugely high-tech interior and is comfortable to drive, but it’s not as good-looking as the alternatives, the screen-heavy interior will be overkill for some, and it’s considerably more expensive than the brilliant Tesla Model 3.

It’s like shopping at Harrods - it’s undeniably good stuff, but you pay a lot more than Waitrose and there really isn’t too much of a gap in quality.

The C-Class EV gets off to a bold start with its styling. It takes the cues introduced by the GLC EV - namely, a huge, upright, illuminated grille, a full-width blacked-out lightbar, and three-pointed star motifs everywhere, particularly in the head- and tail-lights. It’s quite eye-catching, but compared to the minimalist and restrained Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 it’s a bit gaudy. Especially the Sport models which get a silver grille.

Inside, there’s rather less styling to be had - simply because the entire dashboard is made of screens. Base models get three separate displays - for driver information, infotainment and passenger entertainment - but higher-spec cars get the vast ‘Hyperscreen’ which measures an edge-to-edge 39.1 inches across.

Mercedes C-Class Electric: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 473 miles
Efficiency: 5.0 miles per kWh
Battery size: 94kWh
Max charge speed: 330kW
Charge time AC: 12hrs 45mins (7.4kW)
Charge time DC: 22min (10-80%)
Charge port location: Right rear
Power output: 482hp

It’s visually extremely impressive with bright graphics and a responsive interface, though technophobes really need not apply as you can’t get away from the screen overload in here. The climate control is operated through the display, and the steering wheel gets touch-sensitive buttons rather than proper clicky ones. The screen isn’t perfect, either - it does so much that there are a lot of menus to scroll through.

The interior generally feels very posh and plush. The door cards are trimmed in leather and the switchgear - what little there is - is solid, but there are a few key areas that let the side down, such as horribly cheap interior door handles. It feels more premium than a Tesla Model 3, but it’s a much more expensive car.

Practicality is a mixed bag. The rear seats have lots of legroom, but a combination of a panoramic glass roof and a high floor (caused by the batteries underneath) means that there’s limited headroom and your knees are raised up quite a bit. It’s not the most comfortable.

The boot, at 470 litres, is smaller than a Polestar 4’s - though without the useful hatchback opening. It’s still smaller than the 594-litre Tesla Model 3, though. However, the ‘frunk’ under the bonnet is a highlight. Not only is it big, but you can open it by just pressing the Mercedes logo. Even on some of the very poshest alternatives, you have to root around inelegantly in the footwell looking for a release lever.

The C-Class EV has a 94kWh battery which Mercedes says will do up to 473 miles on a charge in the launch-spec dual-motor version. A single-motor car is also on the way, which will cover 497 miles on a charge. Those are big numbers, but the BMW i3 promises up to 567 miles - and the Tesla Model 3 can do up to 466 miles from a much smaller battery, so it’s much more efficient.

We achieved 3.7 miles per kWh during our time with the car, which indicates a real-world range of around 350 miles. We look forward to testing this more comprehensively in the UK soon.

But would you want to spend 350 miles behind the wheel of the C-Class? Well, it’s a car that’s definitely tuned for comfort rather than sportiness. When fitted with the optional air suspension, it glides over bumps almost as well as an S-Class, so it’ll be very good for pockmarked British tarmac.

It’s also nearly silent on the motorway, with plenty of assisted driving tech taking the sting out of long distances. It’s certainly capable in the corners, too - it doesn’t lean too much and the steering is responsive - but it’s not very fun or engaging. It’s likely the BMW i3 will fill this brief better when it arrives.

Verdict

The Mercedes C-Class EV is amazingly comfortable, has a long range and a high-tech interior - it’s a good, posh electric car and well worth adding to your shortlist. Whether you think it’s worth the extra money over the Tesla Model 3 will depend if you value the more comfortable suspension and fancier, more premium interior more than you do the greater value and efficiency.

You can check out the latest Mercedes C-Class EV deals here on Carwow, or see how much you could save by leasing a Mercedes C-Class EV. Check out our used Mercedes models for sale, and remember that when the time comes to sell your car you can do that through Carwow too.

The C-Class EV range starts at a fiver under £58,000, which is about as much as the BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition will cost when it launches - though with the BMW, you can save some money opting for a lower trim level at £53,000. The Tesla Model 3 Premium comes in at around £45,000 and the Polestar 4 starts at £50,000, so Mercedes is pricing the C-Class at the top end of this.

In the base 'Sport' model, you get 19-inch wheels, full LED lighting, a panoramic glass roof and artificial leather upholstery.

You miss out on the full-width infotainment display, though, and in these base models the passenger side is called a ‘digital trim panel’ - it’s not interactive at all, which is very weird.

AMG Line models upgrade the exterior styling, add the illuminated grille and interior ambient lighting, and make the passenger display interactive. Meanwhile, AMG Line Premium gains the full-sized Hyperscreen, plus a Burmester sound system and matrix LED lights.

AMG Line Premium Plus has 20-inch wheels, posher seats with heating, cooling and massage functions, an even posher stereo and an illuminated pattern in the glass roof. Meanwhile the Premier Edition gets a black styling package for the exterior trim, interior upholstery and even the vehicle key.