|
2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
Fresh styling, redesigned interiors for everyman's (and everywoman's) Benz.
2005 C-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The C-Class delivers Mercedes engineering and design for the price of mass-market, up-level mid-size sedans.The C230 coupe offers a good balance of utility, visual impact and advanced safety technology at an attractive price. The C240 wagon drives like a sedan and provides 63 cubic feet of cargo space. The C320 sedan is smooth, powerful and comfortable, and arguably represents the best of the line. Of course, when you move to the more powerful, more substantially equipped C320s, you're moving away from mass-market sedan pricing. At this level, you pay at least a small price premium for the three-pointed Mercedes star, compared to comparably equipped "entry luxury'' competitors, such as the Lexus ES 330. Nonetheless, the strengths of the Mercedes brand get no more accessible than the C-Class.
|
|
| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Mitch McCullough |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz C230 sport coupe ($25,850); C320 sport coupe ($28,250); C230 sport sedan ($29,250); C240 sedan ($32,650); C240 sedan 4MATIC ($33,850); C320 sedan ($37,950); C320 sedan 4MATIC ($39,150); C320 sport sedan ($37,350); C240 wagon ($34,150); C240 wagon 4MATIC ($35,350); C55 AMG |
| Engines (standard) | 3.2-liter sohc 18-valve V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed manual |
| Engines (optional) | 189-hp 1.8-liter dohc 16-valve supercharged inline-4; 168-hp 2.6-liter sohc 18-valve V6; 215-hp 3.2-liter sohc 18-valve V6; 362-hp 5.5-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed manual; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | frontal airbags, front- and rear-passenger side-impact airbags, full-cabin curtain-style head-protection airbags; ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist; Electronic Stability Program |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Bremen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 26570 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport Sedan ($37,350) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, ABS, ESP (electronic stability program), power tilt/telescope wheel, 10-speaker Bose stereo with AM/FM/cassette and weatherband, 10-way power leather seats with three-position memory |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | CD changer ($420); Sunroof Package ($1790) includes auto-dimming mirrors, rain sensing wipers, glass sunroof, power rear-window shade, garage door opener |
| Destination Charge | 720 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 40280 |
| Horse Power | 215 @ 5700 |
| Torque | 221 @ 3000-4600 |
| Fuel Economy | 19/26 |
| Wheelbase | 106.9 |
| Length/Width/Height | 178.4/68.0/55.6 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 35.3 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.9/51.9/41.7 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.3/54.1/33.0 |
| Trunk Volume | 12.2 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent |
| Rear Suspension | independent |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3 |
| Curb Weight | 3430 |
| Stock Tires | P225/45ZR17 front; P245/40ZR17 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.4 |
|
2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
|