When you’re standing in a Mercedes-Benz dealership, seeing the massive price gap between the C-Class and the E-Class may lead to an internal debate over which is the better buy. Can the E-Class’ little brother give you all the luxury and performance you need? We dug deep into each model to find out.
See a side-by-side comparison of the C-Class & E-Class »
What the C-Class Gets Right
As the little brother to the E-Class, the base Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the 2020 C 300, starts at $42,395 (all prices include the $995 destination charge), making it $12,650 cheaper than the base 2019 E 300. There are a lot of option boxes buyers would have to check to get the C-Class even close to the E-Class’ price. The C-Class also makes great use of the corporate design language, as it looks the part of a downsized S-Class without the huge price tag.
Being a nearly 10 inches shorter and over two inches narrower than the E-Class makes the C-Class better suited for zipping through city traffic and pulling into those ever-shrinking parking-garage spaces. Plus, with the E-Class’ safety features trickling down to the C-Class, it's nearly as safe for the whole family as its big bro.
What the E-Class Gets Right
Like the C-Class, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has style for miles. Give Mercedes’ design team a larger canvas to paint on, like the mid-size E-Class, and this style gets even sharper. And with so many engine, body style, and chassis options to pick from, there's an E-Class for everyone.
The E-Class also gets a leg up in performance. Sure, the base E 300 and C 300 share a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, but the E-Class’ platform delivers a better combination of handling and ride quality. From there, it’s a matter of the E-Class adding power numbers the C-Class can’t match: a 362-horsepower 3.0L twin-turbo V6.
Finally, while it may be pricey, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes loaded to the gills with premium features and the best tech features. A great example of the latter is the Level 2 semi-autonomous driving tech available in even the base E 300. And things just keep getting better as you move up through the lineup.
On a Tight Budget? The C-Class isn't a Bad Option
There's just no way the C-Class can stand up to the E-Class, but it's a great option for buyers who just can’t pull off that $50K-plus MSRP. It has all the luxury you need, great performance, and a legendary name behind it.
Verdict: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the best-balanced luxury cars on the market with its delicate combination of luxury and performance. Plus, it has options to fit any buyer’s needs and even has red-hot performance models ready to tackle a curvy country road.