2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Coupe: better (and cheaper) than orange Lexus RC350 - It is true that the editor of TTAC spent last wee...
It is true that the editor of TTAC spent last week in a $ 11.595 2016 Chevrolet Spark, auto writers living on the east coast of Canada are rather more used to receiving highly optioned car fleet of the press.
There were 2016 Mazda CX-9 Platinum prices in Mazda USA speak to $ 45,215. A couple of weeks before, the new Honda Civic Coupe Touring arrived in balance - not if, not Type R - a US market price of $ 26,960. Toyota Highlander? Make it a hybrid Limited at $ 51,445.
So what a pleasure it was to see a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe 2017 pull into my driveway and see no AMG badge, the 2.0-liter turbo basic / combo of all-wheel drive, and only $ 7,540 in options. A simple suspicion of options. Barely a hint of selections from the long list of choices of Mercedes-Benz.
Thus, with shockwaves reverberating around GCBC Towers, a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe arrived as successor to our tester 2016 Lexus RC, a direct competitor class C Coupé, with 00 $ savings in hand.
Yes, tested, the Benz was $ 6,000 less than its Lexus rival. And yes, the Benz is the best car.
CABIN
It starts inside. The style is a subjective question, but I struggled to find a single passenger who has not found multiple notches booth C300 above the inside of the button infested Japanese prototype Lexus RC.
the nailed on screen with an entourage that appear cheap on a knock-off iPad is a great disappointment given the quality of materials and the sense of solidity elsewhere the Benz, but it does not remove the vibes hi-lux C300 sends from dark trim option open meadow wood ash, saddle brown leather, or proper operation of HVAC vents. Neither is the handle of the stupid column or roof that sounded like it was crunch of gravel
The Lexus, by comparison, was a more typical car loaded :. Starting proximity access, pushbutton, and cooled seats, examples. But luxury is not always on substance . Mercedes feels and gaze and feels like it should cost $ 15,000 more than it does.
MOTION
In the real world, the C300 4Matic is also much more engaging partner on the road. Although I tolerated - even accepted, and sometimes appreciated - the lack of RC sense to turn because of its sublime ride quality and comfort from day to day, sharper responses C300 4Matic, the higher the level of commitment and tolerable ride quality obviously creates a superior driving experience.
A week earlier, I always say that the new passengers RC350 F Sport is not half as sports because they thought he would be. I am constantly allowances for an orange car with outrageous style that was held not to shock and fear.
Be very sure, the C300 4Matic, even with upgrade 245 / 40R18 Continental ProContact GXSSRs 18 inch alloy five-spoke, is keener on sport cruise sports car enthusiasm. But when you demand more of Benz on a winding road, turn in is fast enough, the automatic 7-speed escapes his behavior at low rev sometimes difficult to break changes, and the car as a whole gets to work.
excessive circumference of RC causes Lexus to hold a sign of metaphorical warning. "I can do it if you really want me," the Lexus seemed to say, "or we can just let the Benz have his fun. We'll catch up later."
COUPLE
Caned on a long straight, there is probably not much between the 306 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 in the Lexus RC350 and 241 -horsepower 2.0 liter turbocharged Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder. The Lexus produces only three other couples pound-feet, and he does it at 4800 rpm, 3500 rpm until the tachometer that peak torque in the C300.
Therefore, in routine driving, regardless of what might happen on an airport runway, the Mercedes-Benz feels like the car more lively. I will not lie: these modern turbos in small engines make me miss a throttle response naturally aspirated. In action, however, when following a dawdling tractor-trailer on a road and you need to squirt quickly in traffic, I want my marriage now.
Revs are fun. Smooth V6 rides are even more fun. Instant response is not as fun, but it is convenient.
TWO FOR ONE
On at least one other account, much less expensive Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic is the winner in my back back almost comparo said. Agility Select Mercedes-Benz radically transforms the car, craft multiple personalities in one machine.
The Lexus RC350 F Sport was a button, too. Press to Normal, Eco turn left, turn right for Sport or Sport +. The RC is undoubtedly a more sporting and responsive car in Sport + in Eco. Rather than tarnish the throttle, the RC becomes hyper. The steering is heavy, the ride is firmer. The differences, however, are not surprising. - It's fine the same car
In the Mercedes-Benz, however, dragging the little rocker / dynamic wheel marked with the Eco Sport + reveals a completely different car. Gone is the detached cruiser and comes exuberant go-getter chomping at the bit. There is also a personal setting that allows you to mix and match the best of many worlds.
Thus, the Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic was not only the cheaper of the two luxury cuts, it was more than a car.
this article previously referred to this as C300 4Matic car 2016 model. It is actually a car of 2017 model, and the article has been updated for clarity.
[Images: © 2016 Timothy Cain / The Truth About Cars]
Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net , who is obsessed with the free publication and frequent US and Canadian auto sales figures. Follow us on Twitter @goodcarbadcar and Facebook .
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