Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric (2026 - ) review

The C-Class carries a premium price tag, but its running costs could be relatively low if it is charged mainly at home, ideally on a competitive electricity tariff. Though fully recharging the 94kWh battery pack on a domestic wallbox could take some time. Although using a DC rapid charger can cost considerably more, the Mercedes can add around 200 miles of range in just 10 minutes thanks to its peak DC charging rateof 330kW.

The fully electric C-Class has fewer moving parts than a combustion-powered equivalent, potentially reducing its mechanical maintenance requirements, although that alone does not guarantee reliability. For added peace of mind, every new Mercedes comes with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, while the high-voltage battery is covered for up to eight years. Mercedes also offers an extended warranty programme for owners planning to keep the car for longer.

The C-Class comes with plenty of technology designed to assist the driver and improve safety. This includes an array of airbags, among them a central airbag intended to prevent the driver and front passenger from colliding in a side impact. The driver-assistance systems include speed-limit detection and warnings, as well as an active limiter intended to prevent the car from inadvertently exceeding the posted limit. Cameras and sensors provide blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance, while the car can perform an emergency-braking manoeuvre if it detects a potential collision with another vehicle or a vulnerable road user.

There are plenty of creature comforts inside, including electrically adjustable front seats with heating, while ventilation and massage functions are available. The car's climate-control system is one of the most advanced Mercedes has created. In cold weather, the cabin is claimed to heat up twice as quickly as in conventionally powered cars, thanks to a clever multisource heat pump using around half as much energy as other systems. Optional adaptive air suspension can alter the ride height to improve efficiency and use real-time data from Google Maps to determine the optimum setting for the road. It provides the supple ride comfort expected of a Mercedes, but not always delivered by the brand's recent models. Rear passengers are well catered for, too. Easy access is complemented by decent legroom and headroom, while the panoramic glass roof brings additional light into the cabin. The Mercedes has 470 litres of rear boot space, and longer items can be accommodated by folding the rear seats. There is also a generous 101 litres of storage in the frunk, accessed by pressing the Mercedes emblem on the grille to release the catch.

The C-Class electric is something of a technological tour de force, provided you're prepared to pay for plenty of options. Mercedes has fully embraced the digital-dashboard treatment and offers two versions. The standard MBUX Superscreen uses a panel incorporating a 12.3-inch display and a 14.1-inch central touch-screen, with the option of adding another 14.1-inch touch-screen for the front passenger. The optional MBUX Hyperscreen turns the entire dashboard into one vast display measuring 39.1 inches across the diagonal. It is impressive to look at, but not hugely different in function from the standard MBUX Superscreen. The MB.OS operating system works well and responds quickly to the "Hey, Mercedes" voice command, while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported. Two wireless phone-charging pads on the centre console complement multiple USB-C ports in the front and rear of the cabin. Rear-wheel steering can enhance the car's handling by turning the back wheels by up to 4.5 degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts, reducing the turning circle to 11.2 metres. At higher speeds, they turn in the same direction as the front wheels to provide more direct and stable lane changes.

The C-Class electric is powered by a 94kWh battery with enough energy for an official WLTP driving range of up to 473 miles. Initially, it is available as the C 400 4Matic using two electric motors for up to 489 horsepower and 0-62mph in just four seconds. A two-speed gearbox on the rear axle improves performance and efficiency. The adaptive air suspension can alter the car's handling characteristics, ranging from a softer Comfort mode to a firmer Sport setting that also lowers the ride height. Steering weight can be adjusted through the different modes, and drivers can alter the level of energy recuperation using paddles behind the steering wheel. In the strongest recuperation setting, the Mercedes offers a one-pedal driving feel that is ideal in cities. Mercedes expects more than 90 per cent of braking to be achieved through energy recuperation rather than the friction brakes.