Monday, 04 January 2021 05:47

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-class

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-class 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-class

Overview
With a complete redesign in store for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-class, the entry-luxury car segment is in for a shakeup. The C-class has long served as the entry-point to the Mercedes-Benz lineup, but new additions to the brand in recent years such as the A-class sedan have allowed the C-class to move upmarket and better battle rivals such as the Audi A4, BMW 3-series, and Genesis G70. We expect the all-new 2022 model to continue to be built on a rear-drive platform, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offer all-wheel drive as an option. The cabin is where we'll most likely see the most modernization, as the C-class is expected to borrow styling elements and technology from the newly-redesigned 2021 S-class sedan. Mercedes-Benz has been mum on details, and we've seen nothing more than some grainy spy photos, but the redesigned C-class appears to be on track for a debut sometime in 2021 as a 2022 model.

What's New for 2022?
In short: Everything. Spy photos of the redesigned C-class show a car that's clearly completely new and it's expected to launch for the 2022 model year.

Although we've only caught glimpses of camouflaged sedans so far, we expect Mercedes will continue to offer the C-class in coupe and convertible body styles as well. Without knowing more about the new car's standard and optional features, it's difficult to predict which one will be the best buy. When we learn more about the 2022 C-class, we'll update this story with details.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2022 C-class will likely continue to be powered by the same 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the outgoing model, but we expect it to start using the "350" designation in lieu of the current model's "300" to line up with the E350 sedan and GLE350 SUV, both of which use the same engine. All-wheel drive will likely remain an option with rear-wheel drive being the standard setup. When Mercedes releases information about the 2022 C-class's powertrain, we'll update this story with details.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't posted fuel efficiency estimates for the 2022 C-class yet, but the new car's ratings shouldn't deviate much from the current model, which is rated at 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. When we get a chance, we'll put the new C-class through our 75-mph highway fuel economy test and report its results here.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A full modernization of the C-class's cabin is expected and should include a digital gauge display, touch-sensitive controls, and a host of amenities. From the limited spy photos we've seen, we predict the car will have a steering wheel that looks similar to that of the redesigned S-class sedan's. The current C-class's interior is already one of the nicer cabins in the segment, with fine leather, real wood trim, and tasteful metallic accents, and we expect the 2022 model's cabin to be even nicer. Overall, the C-class looks to be similar in size to the outgoing model, so passenger and cargo space should be about the same.

Infotainment and Connectivity
If the redesigned S-class sedan is anything to go by—and we think it is—the C-class should launch with a large vertically-oriented center touchscreen similar to the 12.8-inch unit in the brand's new flagship. Regardless of screen size or orientation, the 2022 C-class will undoubtedly offer the most up-to-date version of Mercedes's MBUX infotainment system, complete with the voice-activated digital assistant, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and online access via a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have released crash test or safety information for the 2022 C-class. We are expecting Mercedes to pull out all the stops on driver-assistance features, though, and the new model should come standard with plenty of tech. Key safety features are likely to include:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Although rivals such as BMW, Genesis, and Volvo offer three years of complimentary maintenance, Mercedes-Benz omits that benefit from its standard warranty offerings. Otherwise, all new Benz's come with an industry-standard plan that covers most things for up to four years or 50,000 miles.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Source: caranddriver.com

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