Mercedes a Class vs C-Class vs E Class

If you’re after a posh saloon car, Mercedes is probably one of the first brands which springs to mind. But which should you choose between the Mercedes C-Class and Mercedes E-Class? It can be a tricky decision, but this guide will walk you though the key differences to make things a bit simpler.

The E-Class sits above the C-Class in the Mercedes lineup, and is therefore a little more refined and , as a result, more expensive. Read on to find out if it’s worth spending the extra.

Mercedes E-Class Mercedes C-Class
Engines Petrol:
2.0-litre: 197hp
3.0-litre: 367hp
3.0-litre: 435hpDiesel:
2.0-litre: 200hp
2.0-litre: 265hp
3.0-litre: 330hp

Hybrid:
2.0-litre plug-in: 306hp
2.0-litre plug-in: 320hp

Petrol:
1.5-litre: 205hp
2.0-litre: 258hpHybrid:
2.0-litre petrol: 313hp

Diesel:
2.0-litre: 200hp
2.0-litre: 265hp

Gearboxes Nine-speed automatic Nine-speed automatic
Boot space 540-litres 455-litres
Dimensions Length: 4,841mm
Width: 1,860mm
Height: 1,420mm
Length: 4,751mm
Width: 1,820mm
Height: 1,438mm
Euro NCAP rating Five stars Five stars
Trims and equipment highlights Sport: 10.25-inch touchscreen and driver display, cruise control,
heated seats, leather upholstery, keyless entry and startAMG Line: 19-imch alloy wheels, leather dashboard, wood trim,
reversing camera with automatic parking, LED front and rear lights

AMG Line Edition: 19-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, metal
sports pedals

AMG Line Night Edition: 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass,
360-degree parking camera, wireless phone charging

AMG: sports bumpers, diamond grille inserts, red seat belts,
Nappa leather upholstery

Sport: 17-inch alloy wheels, leather interior, reversing camera,
autonomous emergency braking, 10-25-inch infotainment screenAMG Line: 18-inch alloy wheels, diamond grille, larger brakes,
sports seats, sports pedals, parking assist, adaptive criuse control

Value for money

The C-Class is priced from £39,860, slightly more than close rivals the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. It comes with plenty of equipment as standard, including a leather interior, 10.25-inch infotainment system, climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Costing from £41,680, the E-Class is, again, a little more expensive than alternatives such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, but offers impressive levels of comfort and luxury. Standard models come with 17-inch alloys, two large screens, all-round LED lights, heated leather seats and Mercedes’ Parking Pilot system.

Naturally, if you’re comparing similarly priced C-Classes and E-Classes, the former will give you more bang for your buck in terms of equipment and engine choice, while the latter offers more overall interior space.

Styling

The Mercedes E-Class is styled to look like a miniature Mercedes S-Class, and the C-Class looks like a smaller E-Class. They’re both classy looking saloons which are sure to get you looks in the corporate car park.

The E-Class is a more subtle looking car

The E-Class is the more subtle looking of the two cars, with a focus on elegance rather than sportiness. you get the classic Mercedes wide grille at the front and sleek LED lights, front and rear. If you’r after some mor aggressive looks, you can have the AMG Line model with deeper front and rear bumpers and larger alloy wheels.

The C-Class looks more youthful

The Mercedes C-Class is a more youthful car than the E-Class. It’s got a sleeker, more aggressive look, however if it’s true sportiness you want then you’ll be better off with a BMW 3 Series. You can have the AMG Line if you want larger wheels and an aggressive bodykit, and you can have a wider range of colours as well.

Interior and infotainment

The C-Class’ cabin is one of the best in its class, with immaculate build quality, plenty of luxurious materials and lots of on-board tech. The dashboard itself is stylish and draws inspiration from the larger S-Class. DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity are standard across the range while sporty AMG Line models get some extra sporty touches to mark them out.

The C-Class has a more modern looking interior

The E-Class steps the levels of luxury up a few notches. It’s not been updated to include Mercedes’ latest infotainment technology yet, and it’s lacking the huge portrait screen of the C-Class. It’s still a very nice place to sit though, and it feels like it’s built to last.

The E-Class’ cabin hasn’t been updated for a while

Overall, the E-Class feels better made and slightly more luxurious, whereas the C-Class has a more modern looking cabin. In terms of technology, there isn’t much to separate these two cars. They’re both very well equipped as standard, however the E-Class gets slightly more as standard.

Practicality

The C-Class has impressively spacious rear seats, though they aren’t as big as the E-Class’

The Mercedes C-Class’ interior isn’t just handsome, it’s spacious too. Head and legroom in the front is impressive while, in the back, there’s a decent amount of space, although headroom is slightly dented by the sloping roofline. There are a few handy cubby holes and the 455-litre boot space is large enough for most buyers, however the opening is slightly restricted by the brake lights.

The E-Class has a larger boot, and more rear seat space

Unsurprisingly, the E-Class is roomier than the C-Class. Up front, there’s loads of head and legroom and there’s even more space in the back. The E-Class’ 540-litre boot is larger than some of its key rivals and has a wider opening than the C-Class making it easier to load. Split-folding seats are, again, a £345 option that would be standard on many of the Mercedes’ competitors.

Engines

The Mercedes C-Class gets a wide range of engines, starting with the C200 which gets a 1.5-litre petrol with 204hp. You can also get higher powered 2.0-litre petrols, diesels and a plug-in hybrid with 313hp. At the time of writing the fast AMG version hasn’t come out yet, however it will be along soon.

The E-Class gets a similar range of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. You can also get a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid and a 3.0-litre diesel with 330hp. If you want high performance, you can have the AMG E53 with a 3.0-litre petrol engine putting out 435hp.

Driving

The C-Class is a pleasant car to drive thanks to light, accurate controls and suspension that strikes a great balance between comfort and control. It doesn’t feel quite as nimble as the BMW 3 Series, but it soaks up bumps well provided you avoid larger alloy wheels and has a poised feel through the corners. Air suspension is an option that increases the comfort factor somewhat but is only really worth it on more expensive versions.

The E-Class is exceptionally comfy on the move – although it’s at its very best with the optional air suspension that lends it a luxury car float. The optional £1,695 Driver Pilot uses the adaptive cruise control and electric power steering to drive autonomously at speeds of up to 130mph, although you do have to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times for it to work.

Safety and reliability

Both the Mercedes C-Class and E-Class scored the maximum five-stars in their latest Euro NCAP safety tests, so both will look after you if the worst should happen.

As for reliability, there are no horror stories to report with either of these cars, and both have proven to be reliable. All new Mercedes models come with a three-year warranty as well for added peace of mind.

The C-Class is the sportier of the two so, if maximum interior space isn’t your top requirement but you want something with a little more driver appeal, it’s probably the car for you. The E-Class is more refined and plusher, however. If you can afford it, the E-Class’ more rounded driving experience with a greater focus on comfort and space might swing it, but the C-Class offers much the same experience for a lower price.

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What is the difference between a Class C

C-Class has 1993 cc (Diesel top model) engine, while E-Class has 2925 cc (Diesel top model) engine. As far as mileage is concerned, the C-Class has a mileage of 23.0 kmpl (Diesel top model)> and the E-Class has a mileage of 16.1 kmpl (Diesel top model).

Is Mercedes A or C better?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class are both exceptional compact cars, but it's important to consider every angle. The A-Class is more accessible, more efficient, and rich in technology, but the C-Class comes with more standard features and offers more engine options.

Is class or E

2021 MB E-Class vs S-Class comparison If you are more interested in a vehicle that has a ton of power and impressive performance, then you'll probably want to go with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Not only does it have more trims than the S-Class, but it has more power as well.

Is E

Verdict. If you're after a sportier model and interior space is not so high on your priorities list, the C-Class may be the car for you. But for a plush, elegant drive that provides an enhanced driving experience, then the E-Class offers all of this and more.