Since the dawn of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it has generally followed the DNA suits of the luxurious full-size S-Class, giving buyers aspirations of the premium lifestyle without forgoing the premium funds. As we dock into a new generation of the S-Class, a new C-Class has been re-born with new tech, new mechanics, and a new take on the premium lifestyle.

Following uniform, this new C-Class design has a much statelier stance with a lower profile, long hood, and smooth tail end design. The design strikes a more symmetrical desire to its size unlike the electrified EQS. The C300 can also be had with an AMG Line Night Package offered across the trim lineup that elevates its stature with an aggressive sporty front-end design, star-patterned grille, and gloss black accents. In addition, our example was amplified with its upgraded 19-inch AMG wheels that completed its ensemble like a well-tailored suit.  

Moving forward with the times, Mercedes has dropped the bi-turbo V6 and is sticking to a carried over 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, for the first time, Mercedes has boosted the AMG mild-hybrid system and bolted to the C300’s engine, now using the 48-volt hybrid-assist and its motor-generator integrated into the transmission housing making the C300 one smooth operator.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces a comfortable 255-horsepower, and with torque being ramped up to 295 pound-feet, the C300 is respectably quick on its all-season rubbers going from 0-60mph in just under 5.5-seconds. The 48-volt starter-generator can provide up to an additional 20-horsepower and 148lb-ft of torque in small amounts when called upon; however, unlike a traditional hybrid, this system cannot propel the vehicle on its own merits or drive on pure electricity. It is not meant to be a fuel savor, but more of a peace-of-mind confidence booster. It is designed to fill in the performance gaps where the turbocharger may be trying to catch up. It also makes for one of the smoothest start/stop transitions on the market and parking has never gotten so quiet.

Delivery of power is flushed through Mercedes’ ultra smooth 9-speed transmission with gearing always on point whether upshifting or downshifting. And with the help of the mild-hybrid system, merging onto a highway or making passing maneuvers makes it feel effortless. The C300 comes standard in rear-wheel drive with the option to opt for the $2000 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

On the road, the C300 has a spark of joy to its road mannerisms. It comes standard with adaptive dampers; however, as part of the AMG Line Night Package, the suspension gets lower by half an inch and equipped with a sport tuned suspension that promotes its driving pleasure, just watch out for those driveway curbs. Courtesy of the AMG Line Package, an additional drive mode gets added with Sport +, on top of the Eco, Comfort and Sport drive modes – in any mode the C300 is always on its best behavior with well controlled body motions. The steering however finds its more enjoyable balance under Sport + feeling tight and in tuned to the driver. Under normal driving condition with use of comfort mode, the steering isn’t nearly as in touch to the car’s athletic capabilities. Which brings us to the brake pedal the seems to have been pulled from a work truck that feels squishy and requires deep application.

Inside, we find a lot of similarities to the flagship S-Class exuding premium application. Despite having the AMG Line packaging, the seats are not of sporty influence, supporting comfort over bolstering. There is an impeccable quietness to the cabin silencing most of the outside noises and furthermore, keeping the inside noises from the outside – not realizing how quiet the C300 is, when we got out of the car with music playing more loudly than it should have been, when we closed the door, it was like as if the music was turned to a whisper level.

The overall cabin design closely mimics the S-Class in a subtle way with a waterfall flowing 11.9-inch touchscreen display and 12.3-inch digital cluster. The streamline of the dash gives the occupants a cocooned sensation without feeling confined. We like the fact that Mercedes has broken away from the single pane glass screen look that spanned across the dash – this new look feels less busy, and more driver focused with ease of usage and minimize the usage knobs & buttons with controls like the climate control now being managed through the touch screen.

Tech gets advanced as features such as augmented video navigation are now standard options that display a live feed video with the navigation showing when and where to turn or when on a highway and what lane you need to be in to maintain course. The C300 now features over-the-air updates, online music, and of course wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity. However, something new for the US territory is the $1100 Digital Light Package – with the strict headlight restrictions we have in the United States, it is gnarly to see an advance headlight system such as this that not only uses Active Curve illumination and Ultra-Wide High-beams, but uses projection visual alerts to assist the driver of potential road hazards ahead such as construction zones, pedestrians, blind spot warning during lane changes and even helps illuminate lanes with better visibility when conducting a lane change or driving through construction zones.

With the demand of electrification, we’re pleased to see the C300 moving forward in a somewhat traditional way with some modernization use of electrified methods. And speaking to tradition, with three available trims, Premium, Exclusive & Pinnacle, prices start at a reasonable $44,600 with an a la carte options list – with our example decently optioned up with plenty of comfort & driving amenities, its out the door price of $60,505 still seemed fairly decent for a car that is nearly a spitting image of its six-figure flagship and can still make you feel just as special.