2017 Mercedes C-Class Review: Upscale Small German Luxury Car With High Ownership Costs

The 2017 Mercedes C-Class lasts around 150,000 miles with some power steering and sunroof problems reported. At $27,000 to $52,600, it’s expensive, but a decent value if you’re looking for a small and comfortable luxury car.

Is the 2017 Mercedes C-Class a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2017 is a good year for the Mercedes C-Class since it offers a lot of features and luxury for the money. Owner reviews praise the comfortable cabin, powerful engines, along with the smooth suspension on rough roads.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are extremely nice for a compact car, the seat options are all comfortable, cargo space is also good for its size.
• Reliability 7/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2017 C-Class, although it’s expensive to own long-term. Avoid models from 2015–2016 which have engine issues while 2017–2022 are more reliable.
• Performance 9/10 – Performance is good from the base engines, while the AMG models are some of the fastest compact coupes on the market.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2017 C-Class is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera, while optional upgrades include lane-keep assist along with an active parking assistant.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 25 MPG, giving 435 miles of range from the 17.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $11 higher than average, at $220 per month.
• Value 7/10 – The 2017 C-Class offers a lot of luxury features for the money, although fast depreciation paired with expensive maintenance costs lowers its overall value score.

What Do Critics Say About the Mercedes C-Class?

• Consumer Reports says the 2017 Mercedes C-Class offers a beautiful interior and driving experience, with good owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
• Edmunds rates the C-Class at 4.1/5, enjoying the cutting-edge safety features, but doesn’t like the clumsy touchpad stereo controls.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the C-Class a 4.3/5, praising the very luxurious amenities on the interior, but owners don’t like the less sporty steering than competitors.

What Common Problems Does the 2017 Mercedes C-Class Have?

Common problems reported on the 2017 Mercedes C-Class include damage to the engine wiring harness, power steering failures, along with some reports of broken sunroofs. Overall, these problems are worse than some other small luxury cars, leading to more expensive repair bills as it ages.

Damage to the engine wiring harness is the most widespread complaint from 2017 Mercedes C-Class owners, showing up in the first 45,000 miles. The wiring harness material attracts rodents which wind up chewing on the wires. If you have to park outside, we recommend using a strobe light under the hood to deter rodents since fixing the wiring harness can cost over $2,000.

Power steering failures have also been reported on the 2017 C-Class at around 15,000 miles. The power steering motor simply wears out quickly on some models, and has to be replaced. Changing out the power steering motor costs around $1,500, depending on local labor rates.

Broken sunroofs also happen to some C-Class models in the first 10,000 miles. There was a production run of sunroof glass which had some internal flaws, making it more susceptible to shattering when hit with a small stone. Replacing the sunroof costs around $1,000.

There are 16 recalls on the 2017 Mercedes C-Class, which is much worse than other compact cars from the same year. The most serious recall is for the starter current limiter overheating and potentially causing a fire. Mercedes will replace the limiter for free on affected models. Many other recalls cover software issues with the emergency call and location system.

How Long Will the 2017 Mercedes C-Class Last?

A well-maintained 2017 Mercedes C-Class may last around 150,000 miles, which is shorter than other small luxury cars like the Lexus IS. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than many competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $729 per year.

As a used 2017 Mercedes C-Class reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the mass airflow sensor for $550, sunroof motor costing $800, along with the catalytic converter which costs $1,500.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is great, offering a standard 7-inch central display screen. Optional upgrades include a larger 8.4-inch screen along with more powerful stereo system choices.

Standard safety technology is okay, offering a rearview camera.

Optional driver assistance features include:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane keep assist
• Pedestrian detection
• Traffic sign recognition
• Active park assist

Is the 2017 Mercedes C-Class a Good Value?

Yes, the 2017 Mercedes C-Class is a good value if you’re in the market for a small luxury sedan with some of the latest safety technology. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $27,000 to $52,600, making it more than an Audi A4 or Volvo S60. When new, the price range was $39,500 to $80,850. Depreciation is worse than other cars, losing about 15% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Mercedes C-Class?

There are four main models of the 2017 Mercedes Benz C-Class offered, from the entry-level C 300 through to the more powerful AMG C 63 S. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.

C 300 is the entry-level model with:

• Available in sedan, coupe, and convertible body styles
• Sedan offers Sport and Luxury sub-trims, with slight differences in suspension and styling
• COMAND infotainment system with a 7-inch central display
• 17-inch wheels (sedan), 18-inch wheels (coupe)
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 10-way power front seats with memory settings
• Synthetic leather upholstery (MB-Tex)
• 40/20/40-split folding rear seatbacks
• Optional packages include Premium 1, 2, 3, and 4 with upgrades in technology, safety, and comfort features
• Convertible models come with Airscarf system, power-folding fabric top, and a blind-spot monitor
• Standalone options include panoramic sunroof, head-up display, heated and ventilated seats

AMG C 43 is a step up, adding:

• Standard Premium 1 package
• Unique interior trim including natural grain, black wood trim (sedan), gloss black trim (coupe, cabriolet)
• Optional sport seats, red seat belts, special AMG head-up display

AMG C 63 is a sportier model with:

• Standard Premium 2 package
• Option for sport seats, red seat belts, and a special AMG head-up display
• Option to upgrade wheels, tires, exhaust, and brakes for enhanced performance

AMG C 63 S is the flagship model which has:

• Standard Premium 2 package
• Similar options as the C63 for sport seats, red seat belts, special AMG head-up display, and performance enhancements

What Engines Come In the Mercedes C-Class?

• The base C300 is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 241 horsepower. The combined fuel economy stands at 25 MPG. The engine pairs with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The C300 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.0 seconds.
• The Mercedes-AMG C43 features a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 362 horsepower. It has a combined fuel economy of 23 MPG. This model uses a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its 0-60 mph time is around 4.6 seconds.
• The Mercedes-AMG C63 is powered by a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 469 horsepower. The combined fuel economy is about 20 MPG. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The C63 can reach 60 mph from a standstill in around 4.0 seconds.
• Lastly, the top-of-the-line Mercedes-AMG C63 S houses a more powerful version of the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, putting out 503 horsepower. Its combined fuel economy is also around 20 MPG. It uses the same seven-speed automatic transmission. The C63 S can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 3.9 seconds.

What Colors Does the Mercedes C-Class Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Mercedes C-Class?

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class excels in providing a high degree of comfort, a characteristic common to vehicles within the luxury segment. The car comes with high-quality materials throughout the interior, offering an ambiance of sophistication and elegance. The seats in the C-Class are supportive and comfortable, with standard power-adjustable front seats providing an optimal driving position. Some models even offer leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof, enhancing comfort levels further.

Regarding ride comfort, the C-Class delivers a smooth and composed experience. It successfully absorbs most road imperfections, providing a ride that’s plush without feeling overly soft. Moreover, the cabin remains quiet, even at high speeds, which helps to create a serene driving environment.

Space-wise, both the front and rear seats offer a good amount of head and legroom, accommodating adults comfortably, even on longer journeys. The car also has a good reputation for its climate control system, which maintains a consistent cabin temperature, contributing to overall passenger comfort.

How Much Storage Space Does the Mercedes C-Class Have?

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a decent amount of storage space, considering its classification as a luxury small car. Regarding cargo capacity, the sedan variant offers 12.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which is standard for the class. This translates into a sizable amount of room for various items, including a couple of average-sized suitcases or a week’s worth of groceries for a small family.

If you opt for the C-Class coupe, cargo space slightly reduces to 10.5 cubic feet, but still, you can manage to fit some smaller suitcases or multiple shopping bags.

The wagon variant, which is highly appreciated for its practicality, offers a much more generous 17.0 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 53.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down, which should easily accommodate larger items like bicycles, or even a small piece of furniture.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The fourth generation of the Mercedes C-Class was introduced for the 2015 model year.

2015: C-Class sedan fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new styling, upgraded interior, and more powerful engines.

2016: Diesel and plug-in hybrid models introduced, more powerful C 450 AMG introduced.

2017: Fully redesigned coupe and convertible models introduced, AMG C 43 introduced, and a standard rearview camera.

2018: New nine-speed automatic transmission on the C 300.

2019: More powerful engine in the C 300 and C 43 models, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, C 350e Hybrid no longer offered.

2020: More standard features than earlier years.

2021: Standard 12.3-inch driver display and heated front seats, along with a new Night Edition package.

How Does the Mercedes C-Class Compare to the Competition?

The 2017 Mercedes C-Class is a nice compact luxury car, although you do trade in some long-term reliability for the upscale interior and advanced technology.

The Mercedes E Class is a larger car offered by Mercedes, which costs around $1,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Mercedes E Class, while the Mercedes C Class feels more nimble on winding roads. We recommend the Mercedes E Class since it’s slightly more reliable, although both are very similar.

The BMW 3 Series is another compact luxury car which is available for around $1,000 less. Where the BMW 3 Series stands out is with a sportier driving experience, while the Mercedes C Class offers a more luxurious interior. We recommend the BMW 3 Series since ownership costs are lower as they age.

Do Owners Recommend the Mercedes C-Class?