‘Engineered like no other car in the world.’
That was Mercedes-Benz’s slogan about 30 years ago. It wasn’t just some snazzy tagline, either, because its most of its models before the late-’90s truly reflected that. One can even say that the company truly peaked in the ’80s, and things haven’t been quite the same since.
It’s a bit of a common sentiment among Benz enthusiasts, and we can’t blame them for that, either. Take the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, for instance. It came hot off the heels of the much-loved and critically acclaimed 190 models, and it hasn’t been as warmly recieved or loved as its predecessor, even if 33 years have since passed since the first one came out.
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The history of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class itself is a bit of a roller coaster ride. The first-generation was fine, but paled in comparison to the 190. The second-generation reeked of cost-cutting, but the third-generation was a strong return to form. If anything, Benzes from the late-’00s to mid-2010s were showing promising signs of bringing back the good ol’ days. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.
Don’t get us wrong, though, the previous-generation C-Class was still good, but the interior felt a little more low-rent compared to the one that came before it, and the infotainment system had lag that one could measure with a calendar.
Now that the new C-Class is here, we’re setting our expectations high. After all, this is a company whose tagline is ‘The best or nothing,’ and a Mercedes-Benz must always be held to a higher standard.
But first, a bit of a confession. This writer once owned a first-generation C-Class, so there’s all the more reason the latest model needs to impress.
Styling
‘A Mercedes-Benz must look like a Mercedes-Benz.’ That’s what the company’s legendary chief design Bruno Sacco once said. Mind you, he’s also responsible for all the cars that bore the three-pointed star from the mid-‘70s until his retirement in 1999.
The new C-Class still follows that ethos, as its design can literally be described as a mini-S-Class. It’s been that way since 1993, and we’re glad that it’s still that way. And it’s not like the looks hasn’t moved forward, as there’s a clear evolution of the design, culminating into this sleek but still distinctly a Benz aesthetic.
It’s smooth and elegant without coming off as bland and featureless. Think of it as a well-tailored suit, then.
Interior
Mercedes had gone for the whole ‘iPad stuck on the dashboard’ theme in the new C-Class. At this point, we’ve pretty much conceded to the fact that the Germans make interiors like this now. As mentioned on our BMW reviews, German automakers have practically waged war against buttons, and Mercedes-Benz is no exception.
At least the rest of the cabin is, no surprises here, elegantly sculpted. The dash wraps around the two front occupants with a waterfall style center stack. The round air-con vents appear to be a tribute to classic models, but it’s done in a way that it fits the rest of the interior ambiance.
The ergonomics should be familiar or Benz owners, with the classic single switch that controls the wipers, turn signal, and high-beams. The dial for the light switch is still there, and the same goes for the door-mounted seat controls. Anyone who’s had a Mercedes in the past will find these second nature, but first-time users might need a day or two to get used to it. That said, it does add a dash of personality.
Unfortunately, we wish we could say nicer things about the materials used inside. Yes, the dash and door panels are pillowy soft, and the leather is very supple, but some bits don’t feel nice to touch. A soft press on the dash produces creaks, and the stalks used for the gear selector and turn signal feel, well, cheap. The haptic touch bar below the massive infotainment screen wobbles with gentle provocation, which is not something you’d expect—or want—in a Mercedes-Benz, of all things.
Still, there are some good points to be had here. It’s reasonably spacious, and it has a pretty large trunk. There’s no shortage of cubby spaces inside, and the interior design is, well, generally pleasing to the eye.
Engine performance
What we have here is the C180 Avantgarde, and it is NOT powered by a 1.8-liter engine. Gone are the days when the badge on the trunklid stood for the engine capacity. Instead, it’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbo with mild-hybrid assist. It’s been that way since the facelifted version of the previous generation.
Power is rated at 168hp and 250Nm, which is rather conservative for a 1.5-liter turbo, but the mild-hybrid assist gives another 20hp. It’s safe to say that it packs more power than this writer’s old C230 from 1997 (148hp, 220Nm). It pulls its weight well enough, and it’s surprisingly sprightly off the line. Obviously, it’s no AMG, but its performance should please most.
Economy isn’t half bad, either. We registered 8.1 km/L in heavy traffic and 7.2km/L in more extreme conditions. That said, it’s similar to the BMW 318i we tested a while back, and that had a 2.0-liter with no hybrid assist. It does shine when the traffic is clearer, easily clocking in 13km/L.
There are, however, two things we didn’t quite like about the powertrain. We noted that the stop-start system is a little too eager to engage, cutting power even before coming to a full stop. It may save a few squirts of fuel, but it’s not too helpful in stop and go traffic when you need to inch forward. Another would be the transmission that would occasionally stumble when downshifting. It’s out of character for a Mercedes-Benz, somewhat dampening the driving experience.
Ride and handling
It’s more of a mixed bag in the ride and handling department. The good news is, this is the sharpest C-Class to drive to date. It feels sporty and dynamic, words we don’t usually associate with non-AMG Benzes. Granted, the steering feel is a little muted, but it’s a good car to chuck around corners. The C-Class always had excellent roadholding, but the fun handling was a pleasant surprise.
The bad news? If you’re looking a cushy ride, then this car isn’t the place to be. The ride over rougher pavement was, well, un-Mercedes-like. We were honestly expecting it to glide over bumps like the older models, but it just wasn’t the case at all.
The weirder part was, the dampers felt like there was a lot of slack in them, meaning the body would heave after a speed bump. We’re sorry to say this, but we scraped on a couple of humps because of how the body dips. Oh, and the brake pedal feels way too soft, which isn’t something we encountered in previous C-Class models.
On the flipside, things do improve at higher speeds. The C180 does a good impression of a mini-S-Class on the open road, and it feels more planted when the (digital) needle on the speedometer picks up.
Extra features
This is where the C180 claws back some points. For starters, it comes with advanced driver assists, which is something its rival from Bavaria doesn’t have. There’s also a wide variety of personalization options that its infotainment system provides. And while we’re not huge fans of the screen overload, the display is crisp, clear, and easy to use.
One surprising feature was its seat kinetics. Fitted to the front seats, it constantly shifts and moves around to maintain an ideal driving position while reducing fatigue. It’s a great idea, if only the car’s low-speed ride was smoother.
Verdict
If it sounds like we’re being harsh with the C180, it’s because of that three-pointed star on the grille. Given the brand’s history of excellence, we were hoping the new C-Class would be right up there among its peers, the BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS. Instead, we ended up with an experience that left us wanting.
At P3,990,000, it’s also the most expensive choice in its class. We wouldn’t mind paying for that premium if it were head and shoulders above the competition. Yes, it has features that the others don’t, but it doesn’t feel polished enough for its asking price.
We know Mercedes-Benz can do better than this, and the cars that made the brand prove that point. This is the company that built the 190E, possibly the greatest compact executive car that Germany, or maybe even the world, had ever produced. That car rode and drove like how a Mercedes should with outstanding comfort levels and confident roadholding. What the C-Class has to do is to take even just a sliver of its ancestor’s DNA and start from there.
A tall order, but if the company wants to live up to ‘The best or nothing’ motto, words spoken by Gottleib Daimler himself, then Mercedes-Benz has to act fast. With the facelifted model expected soon, we’re hoping the suspension tuning and transmission will see some improvements.
But perhaps we’ll speak differently if we sample the C-Class’ bigger brother, the all-new E-Class. Maybe then we’ll actually get a better gauge of what a modern Mercedes should feel.
SPECS: 2025 Mercedes-Benz C180 Avantgarde
Price: P3,990,000
Engine: 1.5-liter turbo mild-hybrid
Power: 168hp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Layout: RWD
Seating: 5
Score: 6/10
