Mercedes-Benz C-Class News

Mercedes-Benz is entering a new era in Australia. The fully electric Mercedes-Benz C400 will start from $105,700 (before on-road costs) as the first ever C-Class EV. This means it's $8800 more expensive than the base BMW i3 40xDrive ($96,900), but $7200 cheaper than the flagship i3 50xDrive ($112,900). However, it's $17,900 more expensive than the base petrol-powered C-Class and $7500 more than the plug-in hybrid version. The electric C-Class is available to order now and is due to arrive in showrooms in early 2027. The C400 uses two electric motors to produce 360kW and 800Nm to all four wheels, which means it can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in four seconds. It is equipped with a huge 100kWh battery pack, offering up to 753km of driving range, according to WLTP standards. The BMW i3's base grade offers 710km of range, increasing to 912km in its top grade. Riding on an 800-volt platform, the car can DC charge at up to 330kW, so it can add 325km of range in roughly 10 minutes. DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent is expected to take around 22 minutes. Inside, the C400 has Mercedes-Benz’s standout 'superscreen' across the dashboard. It comprises a 10.25-inch digital driver display, 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 14.0-inch front passenger display. The C400 has over-the-air update capabilities as well as ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini artificial intelligence agents embedded into the multimedia set-up. Seats are wrapped in the brand’s in-house synthetic leather, to complement a birch wood centre console. Buyers can pay an extra $8200 to add climatised front seats, heated rear seats and a ‘hyperscreen’ that spans the full length of the dashboard. Additional air suspension with intelligent damping control and rear-wheel steering is available for $5200. Look up, and there’s a high-tech panoramic glass roof with individually adjustable segments to control the level of shade allowed into the cabin. The C400's boot capacity is 470L, but its new EV status means there is also now an extra 101L front storage space.

I once attended a car launch where they enlisted the help of one of Australia’s leading designers to tell us that ‘good design requires no explanation’. Which made it awkward when the car company executive then spent 30 minutes explaining the design of the newest model… While it was awkward and undercut the whole point of the design-led presentation, at least it made sense, because it was not a good looking vehicle. And that’s because despite all the concept sketches, clay models and focus groups, sometimes car companies just get it wrong. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and looks are very subjective, but sometimes you just need to call a spade a spade. And, more importantly, there have been some models that have clearly been impacted by their looks. For example, Ford’s AU Falcon is a cult icon now, but at the time it was released it was widely considered a case-study in getting design wrong. In fact, you can probably trace the decline of the Falcon (and arguably the locally-made large sedans) to the looks of the AU. Another example of design having a major impact on a vehicle’s performance is the divergent fates of the 2011 Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger. Both utes feature the same Ford-developed underpinnings, but whereas the Blue Oval went down a design path of ‘boxy, tough, truck’, Mazda went a very different way. It tried to carry across the design ethos of its then-popular CX-7 and CX-9 SUVs, which arguably made sense given the gentrification of utes. But as history has proven, ute buyers prefer boxy, tough and truck-like design. Within a few years Ford had more than doubled Ranger sales, while Mazda had grown only marginally. So, what are some of the other most ‘visually challenging’ vehicles on the market today? Below is our list, but we’d love to know what you think, so let us know in the comments or on social media which new vehicles have a face only its designer could love… Tesla Cybertruck Thankfully Australia has been spared the sight of the ‘dumpster-on-wheels’ on our roads. Clearly the American electric brand wanted to stand out from the pack when it entered the ute/pickup market. Unfortunately, it stands out the same way you might stand out in a crowd if you wrap yourself head-to-toe in tinfoil. It has become a symbol of Tesla the brand: unorthodox, but not necessarily in a good way. Kia EV4 When it comes to Kia the Tasman is the easy whipping boy of the brand. But that would be a cheap shot to hit it again, especially as the design was deliberately created to help the Tasman stand out in a very crowded ute market. It was a swing and a miss. The more unusual car in Kia’s otherwise very attractive line-up, is the EV4. The electric mid-size sedan is the definition of ‘form over function’, shaped by the wind tunnel for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. It works, with the long range models capable of more than 600km of driving on a single charge (according to Kia’s claim), but that doesn't change the fact it is an odd looking vehicle. Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV It’s not just the mainstream brands that occasionally strike design trouble. The German luxury brand’s latest addition is unlikely to go down as one of the brand’s most iconic creations. Memorable? Yes, just not for the right reasons. The front grille is as subtle as a Las Vegas casino and looks like you crashed into a diamante shop. While the rear has so many three-pointed stars stuffed into the design nobody should be in any doubt that you’re trying to ram down their throats you have a Mercedes-Benz. And then there’s the interior… I know the full-width ‘Hyperscreen’ is an optional extra, but it’s 39.1-inches of technology over-riding classy, sophisticated design. Subaru Outback Subaru has taken a big gamble on its latest-generation Outback, abandoning its wagon roots for an SUV design… sort of. Actually, what they’ve done is try to splice the two concepts together and the result is neither a good-looking wagon nor a stylish SUV. Instead it looks awkwardly proportioned, with a grille that wouldn’t look out-of-place on a US pickup truck. And the new Wilderness addition only adds more stuff to make it look even more bulky and awkward. Hyundai Santa Fe Like I said earlier, design is purely subjective and there’s every chance you disagree with every car I’ve put on this list. I say that with confidence because I don’t think the Santa Fe should be on this list, because I think it’s a fantastic looking SUV. But, ever since it has launched I have had people tell me they think it’s hideous. In particular, the rear-end styling, with the lights mounted too low on the body, seems to be a sticking point. Personally, I love the boxy, almost-Land-Rover-Defender looks, but I can understand why it polarises opinion. And that’s the same story for any car, because everyone sees design strictly through their own eyes. So let us know in the comments what you think are the cars that get it wrong on the styling front.

Mercedes-AMG has released a more affordable version of its warmed-up C43 sedan in Australia. The special-edition variant, called Edition R, starts from $121,200 (before on-road costs), which is $2600 less than the standard C43.  This variant will be offered in limited numbers but a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson would not disclose how many will be made available Down Under. The Edition R+ gets performance front seats featuring ‘AMG’ lettering on the backrests, and bigger side bolsters, which the brand said aids dynamic driving. Front seats are also electrically adjustable, heated and have a memory function.  Seats are made from the brands’ 'ARTICO' synthetic leather, which has been given a Nappa look.  Elsewhere in the cabin, there is an 11.9-inch central touchscreen, head-up display and panoramic electric sunroof.  The car has 20-inch alloy wheels painted in a matt back, with red brake callipers. It also features the brand’s new styling look, which was previously only available on more expensive grades. This includes a gloss black front splitter as well as an AMG spoiler lip in the same colour.  Additionally, there is a rear gloss black diffuser, taken from the design on the range-topping C63 S E Performance. The C43 is a rival to other premium performance sedans, such as the BMW M340i xDrive, and the Audi S5, with Mercedes’ example more expensive than both.  It gets the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which produces 310kW and 500Nm, along with a mild-hybrid system, paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.  The set-up means the car can shift from 0-100km/h in under five seconds.   It will be on sale at Australian dealerships from today. 2026 Mercedes-AMG C43 pricing Australia    

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new pure-electric version of its mid-size C-Class sedan, boasting a sleek coupe-like profile, dual-motor all-wheel drive and a range of up to 762 kilometres (WLTP). Launched in a single C400 4Matic electric grade, the newcomer’s dual permanent magnet synchronous motors combine to deliver 360kW and 800Nm which is enough to propel the circa 2.5-tonne five-seater from 0-100km/h in just four seconds. A 94kWh battery is onboard and an 800-volt electric architecture allows DC fast-charging at 330kW, which enables the car to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. At just under 4.9 metres end-to-end, close to 1.9m wide and a fraction over 1.5m tall with a 2962mm wheelbase, the C400 4Matic electric is appreciably larger in every key dimension than its internal-combustion counterpart.     Energy consumption on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle ranges from 14.1 to 18.5 kWh/100km which is impressive for a car of this size and weight. Tech highlights include rear-axle steering and a new air suspension system managed by the car’s main operating system, now delivering predictive damping and automatic ride height control based on Car-to-X and Google Maps data. Inside, a seamless 39.1-inch MBUX ‘Hyperscreen’ covering media, car function and instrumentation spans pillar-to-pillar across the dash, there are 162 stars illuminated in the ‘Sky Control’ panoramic roof and the front sports seats, trimmed in ‘Twisted Diamond’ nappa leather, feature lumbar support, massage, seat ventilation and 4D sound. A fourth-generation ‘MBUX’ media and car interface combines multiple AI systems to create a powerful ‘Virtual Assistant’ capable of "conducting complex dialogues between the vehicle and driver.” Other stand-out standard features include ‘Surround Navigation’, an AR head-up display, Burmester 3D surround sound and a newly developed climate control system claimed to heat the interior “twice as fast as in combustion-powered models.” Boot space is a useful 470 litres with another 101 litres available in the front boot and braked trailer towing capacity is a worthwhile 1.8 tonnes. Introducing the new model, Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chairman of the Board of Management Ola Källenius said, “The all-new electric C-Class is redefining the mid-size segment for electric vehicles.  “It is the most powerful and sportiest C-Class we’ve ever built, offering pure driving pleasure and outstanding real-world range,” he said. Mercedes-Benz Australia expects the C400 4Matic electric to hit local showrooms in early 2027.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed details of a limited run version of its C300 mid-size sedan designed to combine the sporty character of an AMG enhanced model with a high-end luxury specification. The new Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line Plus Edition includes the normally optional ‘Night Package’ (high-gloss black elements on the radiator grille, exterior mirror housings, beltline trim strip and window surrounds), additional AMG styling elements (including an AMG spoiler lip) and unique 19-inch AMG ‘5-twin-spoke’ alloy wheels. Offered in Australia in “limited numbers only”, the edition also includes ‘metal-structure’ trim on the centre console and dashboard. These additions come on top of standard C300 features like an ‘AMG Line Interior’ (electric sports front seats with heating and memory, dual-zone climate control and synthetic leather upholstery). An 11.9-inch multimedia touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are joined by wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as wireless smartphone charging. There’s also ‘Agility Control’ suspension incorporating dual-chamber dampers to progressively adjust for optimal ride and handling balance. 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class price Australia 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine/powertrain and efficiency:  The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is offered with five powertrain choices. The C200 is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, mild-hybrid, turbo-petrol engine sending 150kW/300Nm to the rear wheels through a nine-speed auto transmission. The C300 features a 2.0L turbo-petrol four producing 190kW/400Nm, the C350e’s 2.0L plug-in hybrid combination delivers 230kW/550Nm and the AMG C43’s 2.0L turbo four is quoted at 310kW/500Nm with ‘4Matic’ AWD. The flagship Mercedes-AMG C63S E Performance winds up the 2.0-litre four to pump out a prodigious 500kW (670hp)/1020Nm, going to all four wheels via nine-speed multi-clutch transmission. Claimed combined cycle fuel use for the C200 is 6.9L/100km rising to 7.3L/100km for the C300 with a 66-litre fuel tank in both models. The C350e’s official figure drops to just 1.5L/100km (although that number’s based on keeping the battery constantly charged) with a 50-litre tank. The Mercedes-AMG C43 is rated at 9.1L/100km and the full-fat Mercedes-AMG C63S E Performance sits at a relatively modest 6.1L/100km, both with a 66L fuel tank. All models require a minimum 95 RON ‘premium’ fuel. Maximum braked trailer towing capacity is 1800kg for the C200, C300, C350e and C43 while the C63S E Performance is a no-tow zone.  2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class standard features:  18-inch alloy wheels Keyless entry & start AMG Line Interior 11.9-inch multimedia touchscreen 12.3-inch digital instrument display Panoramic sliding sunroof Rain-sensing wipers Synthetic leather trim (leather on high grades) Heated front seats Head up display Power bootlid Cruise control Active Parking Assist 360-degree camera view LED headlights (with adaptive high-beam) Ambient interior lighting Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning Leather-trimmed steering wheel Digital radio Reversing camera 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class colours:  Standard: Polar White Obsidian Black Metallic Graphite Grey Metallic Sodalite Blue Metallic High-Tech Silver Metallic Spectral Blue Metallic Selenite Grey Metallic Optional:   Opalite White bright metallic Patagonia Red bright metallic 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class safety: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class scored a maximum five-star ANCAP rating from assessment in 2022.   Adult occupant protection - 91 per cent Child occupant protection - 90 per cent Vulnerable road user protection - 80 per cent Safety assist - 84 per cent 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class warranty and servicing:  The C-Class is covered by Mercedes-Benz Australia’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (with roadside-assist included).  Three-, four- and five-year service plans are available for C-Class models.  2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class dimensions: Overall length for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 4751mm, width is 1820mm and height is 1437mm with a 2865mm wheelbase. Boot space with rear seat up is 455 litres (C350e PHEV - 315 litres) with the split-folding rear seat able to liberate additional volume.

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will reintroduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in Australia, starting with the new C 350e.

It seems the market has spoken, with Mercedes-AMG set to reverse its decision to downsize its hero C63’s engine to a hybrid four-cylinder.

Word has come from the top brass at Mercedes-Benz — eights are back. During the financial reporting wrap up from the executives at Mercedes-Benz, a few hints at future plans were sprinkled in, including mention of a new, next-gen V8 under development. Under one of the core approaches Mercedes is planning to follow, “building the most desirable cars”. Merc said it aims for its AMG performance sub-brand to “outgrow the performance market”. This is apparently coming thanks to “a heavily refreshed model lineup from 2026 onwards and a strategic evolution of its portfolio,” but the biggest news is that moving forward means moving back in a sense. The plans include what AMG said is “a next-generation, high-tech electrified V8” as well as “dedicated “ performance EVs based on the AMG.EA electric car platform. The timing of the announcement comes following a gradual slowing in the increase of EV uptake almost worldwide, but particularly in Europe. In addition to this, poor reception to the shift from V8-power to a hybridised four-cylinder engine in the brand’s iconic AMG C63 sedan provides more ammunition for the brand to refocus its resources and efforts into the V8 space. It was reported in 2023 via a correspondent for US outlet Car and Driver that senior engineers at AMG believed only minor bodywork changes to the new C-Class (and E-Class) would be required to accommodate a V8 engine. At the time, it was also stated the hybrid four-cylinder powered C63 would remain an option. Whether the V8 now being developed was born from the existing one isn’t clear, as AMG still retains V8 power for models such as the AMG GT or even as a plug-in hybrid in the GT S E four-door where it produces 620kW and 1400Nm. Even without electrification, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit makes 430kW and 800Nm in the GT 63 sports coupe - nothing to turn your nose up at.  Given AMG has already confirmed the next-gen V8 will be electrified, the ceiling for performance will surely be even higher than before.

Mercedes-Benz has slashed the price of its popular C200 after feedback from customers.

Those aspiring to be Mercedes-Benz owners may be in for a shock with the prestige brand recently axing its A-Class small sedan, while increasing prices across its entire range by up to $6000.  The A-Class sedan made its Australian debut in 2019 and joined the A-Class hatchback to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 sedan and Sportback.  The A-Class is also the most affordable entry point into Mercedes-Benz’s entire Australian line-up. Mercedes-Benz says the discontinuation only affects the A-Class sedan and the hatch will remain on sale. “The A-Class sedan is currently still on sale in Australia, however factory orders have been closed,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide.  “Customers can order locally available stock. The A-Class hatchback is currently still available for factory and stock order.”   The A-Class sedan and hatch have been a success story for Mercede-Benz with the total sales for 2024 reaching 1997 — about 50 more cars than the year’s sales for the C-Class sedan. The reason for the sedan’s departure Mercedes-Benz says is to make way for electric and hybrid models which will be the new entry points into the brand. “Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new range of entry-level vehicles built on the all-new, electric-first MMA platform. The upcoming CLA will lead this range, which will include a four-door coupé, a shooting brake, and two SUVs.”  The A-Class hatch might remain but it’s also now expensive with the price rising by $600 to $57,500. Actually, every model in Mercedes-Benz’s entire line-up (there are 64 of them) has seen a price increase with the most expensive Maybach S 680 vlimbing by $6000. Entry into the C-Class sedan range is now $92,600 (up by $1200), while the E-class starts at $132,000 (up by $1586). Mercedes-Benz’s smallest and most affordable SUV the GLA 200 is now $63,600 (up by $700).  Mercedes-Benz told CarsGuide the price increase was caused by several factors but would not go into detail. “As pricing is a dynamic topic that is influenced by a wide range of factors, we can’t provide any further comments,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide.   You can see our table below for the full list of price changes.  Prices listed are before on-road costs but include LCT and GST