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The C-Class Electric delivers everything Mercedes currently knows about EVs in one divisively styled but thoughtfully engineered package. If you want a premium-badged lower-mid-sized saloon of this sort, it's never been easier to make the switch to EV.
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Background
The C-Class is arguably the most important model Mercedes makes. So the introduction of an all-electric version could hardly be more significant.
The C-Class Electric doesn't replace combustion-powered C-Class models, but it does set a fresh and rather divisive styling template that the continuing fuelled C-Class models also have to adopt. That's due to a change in Mercedes policy that now sees EV models designed to look similar to their combustion counterparts.
This C-Class Electric is the second car the brand has launched on its latest MB.EA electric platform; the first was the GLC Electric SUV, which donates all the engineering on show here. That GLC model's existence is the reason why this C-Class Electric comes only in saloon form. With opposition of the calibre of the BMW i3 and the forthcoming Audi A4 e-tron, it'll have to be good. Is it?
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 57995 | 70930 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 130 | 130 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 4 | 4 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 4894 | 4894 |
| Width (mm) | 1892 | 1892 |
| Height (mm) | 1505 | 1505 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 470 | 470 |
Driving experience
You might not think a near 2.5-tonne kerb weight a very promising start for creating 'the sportiest C-Class ever' but that's nevertheless what we're being promised here. The C-Class Electric is certainly the fastest mainstream C-Class ever - or at least it is in its C400 4MATIC twin motor launch spec. Here, there's a prodigious 489hp, good enough to hurl this heavy piece of Stuttgart real estate to 62mph in just 4.0s. To give you some perspective, that's as quick as the old V8-powered Mercedes-AMG C 63 super saloon.
This is also slightly more power than this model's arch-rival BMW i3 can offer in equivalent xDrive50 form. But crucially, the C400 4MATIC's claimed EV range figure (up to 452 miles) is some way off the impressive 559 mile stat of that Munich competitor. Mainly because this Mercedes uses a smaller (though still pretty substantial) 94.5kWh underfloor battery pack (the BMW's pack is 108kWh in size). If you want to get closer to the 500 mile range figure in a C-Class Electric, you'll need to look to the single motor rear-driven version you can ask your dealer about. Even the twin motor variant is basically rear-driven; the 4MATIC system adds a front axle-mounted additional motor, but that's usually disconnected, only kicking in when needed (dependent on drive mode and throttle load) to give full power.
All the MB.EA-platform engineering hardware here is borrowed from the GLC Electric SUV, which means that it's very sophisticated indeed. So instead of the usual single-speed EV transmission, there's a Porsche Taycan-like 2-speed gearbox on the rear axle, supposed to punch the car away from rest more quickly yet maintain higher efficiency at cruising speeds. Avoid base trim and you can order your car with a 'Refinement Package' that gives you air suspension and rear-axle steering, the latter turning the back wheels by up to 4.5-degrees in either direction. All of this is overseen by four integrated electronic 'brains' which streamline functionality.
Expect particularly fine ride quality, not only because of the air springs but also thanks to a combined Google Maps and Car-2-X system that uses data sharing so that the car will know in advance what kind of road surface is coming up and pre-adapt its dampers accordingly. There's also a superbly smooth regenerative braking set-up incorporating the option of one-pedal driving. Regen braking is nearly always used for stopping and is controllable via four settings - 'D-' (maximum), 'D', 'D+' and 'D auto'. Plus you can add a subtly synthesised drivetrain noise if you should want it.
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Design and build
Given that it's now Mercedes policy not to shape its new models according to powertrain, we wondered what we might get here in this 4.8-metre-long saloon-only design. Something very different to a combustion C-Class, that's for sure. The MB.EA platform of the C-Class Electric has a wheelbase length a massive 97mm longer than that combustion model, so there's room for an extended silhouette that flows back into a rakish, almost coupe-like rear end.
In place of the traditional three-box profile of all previous C-Class models, there's a 'three-window' side glasshouse which helps to disguise the 60mm of extra height required by the EV platform, aided by big wheels in muscular arches and a contrasting lower trim strip above the sills. At the back, there's what Mercedes calls a 'GT rear end' with four intricate round rear lamps set in a full-width black panel; it's very striking.
But not as striking as the simply enormous illuminated front grille, borrowed from the GLC Electric and intended to help the C-Class Electric stand out: it certainly does that. 1,050 individual lights are concealed within this controversial appendage and it's flanked by LED headlights incorporating a three-pointed star illuminating signature. In this car, no one will miss your arrival.
The front-of-cabin design is of course borrowed from the brand's other MB.EA-era model, the GLC Electric, so it's dominated by twinkling displays. To get the full effect, you've to pay extra to replace the standard three-display 'Superscreen' arrangement with a 'Hyperscreen' set-up. This is a 993mm-wide 39.1-inch single display that spans the entire width of the car and is made up of 1,000 individual LEDs, with particular areas of it dimmable using a slider control. It's based around the brand's latest MBUX infotainment platform and uses ChatGPT AI voice control that combines with Google Gemini and Microsoft technology in a way that Mercedes thinks will 'revolutionise the relationship between the vehicle and the driver'.
Given this (and the fact that you can talk to the AI 'like a friend'), there are more buttons and switches on the dashboard than you might expect. And above you is an expansive standard glass roof which can have 162 embedded illuminating stars and something called 'Sky Control' which allows segments of the glass to be made opaque.
In the back, rear seat folk will find themselves able to stretch out in a way never previously possible in a C-Class. That extended wheelbase length and higher roof line obviously help hugely here (it's as tall as an S-Class). There's a big 470-litre boot too (15-litres bigger than a conventional petrol C-Class) and the charging leads won't have to go in it because they can be accommodated in a 101-litre 'frunk' beneath the bonnet.
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Market and model
For the C-Class 400 4MATIC electric model available from launch, Mercedes was asking around £58,000, which represents quite a significant premium over what you'd need for an equivalent but longer-ranging BMW i3 xDrive50. That base figure is for entry-level 'Sport' trim: the brand also offers this car with 'AMG Line', 'AMG Line Premium', 'AMG Line Premium Plus' and 'Premier Edition' levels of trim.
As you'd hope for the substantial sums being asked here, quite a lot is included as standard. Even with base 'Sport' trim, you get 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, rear privacy glass and an 'MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST' package that steers you into spaces. 'AMG Line' spec gets sportier styling and the 'Supercreen' dash set-up. For the desirable 39.1-inch 'Hypercreen' dashboard arrangement, you've to stretch at least to 'AMG Line Premium' level, which also adds 'DIGITAL LIGHT' headlights, Active Ambient Lighting, Augmented Reality navigation and a 15-speaker Burmester 3D 670-watt Surround Sound System.
Plush 'AMG Line Premium Plus' spec adds larger 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats, massaging front sports seats and a 19-speaker 750-watt upgrade for the Burmester sound set-up. Top 'Premier Edition' spec gives you all of this with dark exterior highlights. Obviously, there's an enormous amount of drive assist and camera safety tech, courtesy of 10 external cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors. All C-Class Electric models come with Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist.
Avoid base trim and you can add a 'Refinement Package' with AIRMATIC air suspension and Rear axle steering. For a tow bar you'll need the 'Trailer Coupling Package' And for 22kW AC Charging capability, it's another £1,000.
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Cost of ownership
For the C-Class Electric, Mercedes waited until it had its MB.EA 800V electrical architecture in place and the benefit of that is a DC charging speed that at 330kW certainly looks impressive, even if it can't match the 400kW figure of a rival BMW i3. Even so, a 10-80% DC charge can be completed in 22 minutes and nearly 200 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes if you find a fast enough charger. Unfortunately in the UK at present, that's not very likely and you'll probably end up attached to a more common 400V DC charger. For this, the C-Class Electric has a DC-DC inverter included to throttle the charge power down and (unlike on the brand's electric CLA) this is included as standard.
At home, a full AC charge using a single phase 7.4kW wallbox needs15.25 hours, a time you can reduce to 10.50 hours if you're able to charge using a three-phase 11kW AC wallbox. You can AC charge at 22kW too, but that requires an extra £1,000 package to be added. Mercedes says that this car is 'prepared' for V2G and bi-directional charging, so it can act as a battery or a 'storage solution' in integrated home systems using solar power.
We gave you the C400 4MATIC model's EV range figure in our 'Driving' section - 452 miles. This means the 94.5kWh battery could theoretically cover well over 1,000km (620 miles) with one brief charging stop - roughly equivalent to the distance between Dundee and St Ives. To achieve that, you'll need to be constantly in the most frugal drive mode and make full use of the 'one-box' regen braking system.
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Summary
If you can get on with the way it looks and afford the premium asking prices, then you'll probably like most other things about the C-Class Electric. If ultimate range is important to you, it's shaded by its BMW i3 arch-rival - which is also divisively styled. If range isn't that much of an issue and you want a C-Class, we would though council you to also consider the surprisingly long-ranging PHEV version of the combustion model.
But if an EV it has to be and you want a car in this segment that really makes a statement, both inside and out, we can see why this Mercedes might appeal. The brand describes this car as 'a turning point'. Perhaps it is. And perhaps, just perhaps, you're ready to turn with it.
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