2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. the Competition
For the full, uncompromising, Mercedes-Benz experience in a compact package, the C-Class delivers incredible luxury and an unbeatable driving experience. But the compact luxury market is a competitive one, and the C-Class is far from alone in this segment. So how does the C-Class compare to these other offerings? We put together this guide to show what sets the C-Class apart from those competitors.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class VS Cadillac CT5
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan | VS | 2025 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury RWD |
| $46,950 ✓ | MSRP | $48,990 |
| 255 HP / 295 LB-FT TQ ✓ | Horsepower / Torque | 237 HP / 258 LB-FT TQ |
| 26 / 36 / 30 ✓ | Fuel Economy (city / highway / combined) | 23 / 33 / 27 |
| 12.6 cubic feet ✓ | Trunk Space | 11.9 cubic feet |
| 37.6 feet ✓ | Turning Circle | 39 feet |
| Standard ✓ | Mild Hybrid System | Not Available |
| Standard ✓ | Active Park Assist | Optional |
| Standard ✓ | Power Folding Side Mirrors | Optional |
| Optional ✓ | Augmented Video For Navigation | Not Available |
The C-Class leads in equipment too, not just for standard equipment, but the available equipment is an excellent demonstration of the technological superiority that Mercedes-Benz offers across the whole lineup. This includes things like augmented video for navigation, which displays a real-time video feed of the road ahead, with things like street names and turning directions overlaid on top of it. It makes it a lot easier to orient yourself or to figure out confusing and unfamiliar intersections. Nothing of the sort is available from Cadillac.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class VS Lexus IS
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC®️ Sedan | VS | 2024 Lexus IS 300 F Sport AWD |
| $48,950 | MSRP | $46,345 |
| 255 HP / 296 LB-FT TQ ✓ | Horsepower / Torque | 260 HP / 236 LB-FT TQ |
| 6.0 seconds ✓ | 0-60 Time | 6.1 seconds |
| 23 / 33 / 27 ✓ | Fuel Economy (city / highway / combined) | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 9 ✓ | Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| 12.6 cubic feet ✓ | Trunk Space | 10.9 cubic feet |
| 36 inches ✓ | Rear Leg Room | 32.2 inches |
| 11.9 inches ✓ | Infotainment Touchscreen | 8 inches, 10.3 inches optional |
| Wireless ✓ | Android Auto / Apple CarPlay | Wired Only |
| Standard ✓ | Active Parking Assist | Optional |
Next up is the Lexus IS, a compact sedan that emphasizes the sporty nature of the segment. That said, the base four-cylinder option isn’t especially impressive in the performance department, so we’re comparing the 300 F Sport so the IS has a fighting chance. And indeed, this version comes with a 3.5-liter V6 which should give it an advantage over the C-Class and its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. And while the IS does have a bit more horsepower, it has a lot less torque. The end result is that the IS has both a slower 0-60 time and noticeably much worse fuel economy. Some of this is the engine itself, but some of it is the transmission, as the IS comes with a 6-speed automatic that is a bit outdated in today’s luxury compact segment.
While both of these sedans are compacts, and a lot of the dimensions are pretty similar, there are a couple of areas where the IS is a lot more cramped than you’d expect, specifically the trunk and the back seat, the latter of which is basically only going to be comfortable for children. Elsewhere in the cabin, the C-Class comes out ahead on equipment, with the Lexus offering up some seriously dated tech. That includes a tiny infotainment screen, and even though a bigger one is available as an option, this one is still noticeably smaller than the screen in the C-Class, where you’ll find it’s a lot easier to see what you’re doing. The IS also only offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with a wired connection, tech that’s several years behind the rest of the luxury car market at this point. It does at least offer active parking assist, even if Lexus makes you pay extra for it, although it’s standard equipment on the C-Class.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class VS Infiniti Q50
| 2024 Mercedes-AMG®️ C 43 4MATIC®️ | VS | 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD |
| $60,700 | MSRP | $58,500 |
| 402 HP / 369 LB-FT TQ ✓ | Horsepower / Torque | 400 HP / 350 LB-FT TQ |
| 9 ✓ | Transmission Speeds | 7 |
| Standard ✓ | Mild Hybrid System | Not available |
| Standard ✓ | Rear Axle Steering | Not available |
| App or keyfob✓ | Remote Engine Start | Keyfob only |
| 11.9 inches ✓ | Infotainment Touchscreen | 8 inches |
| Standard ✓ | Ambient Lighting | Not available |
| Optional ✓ | Panoramic Roof | Not available |
| Optional ✓ | Head-Up Display | Not available |
For our last comparison, we’re going to look at one of the performance versions of the C-Class, built by AMG®️. Infiniti makes a similar vehicle, a high-performance version of the Q50 known as the Red Sport 400. As the name suggests, the Red Sport 400 has 400 horsepower. That’s not much less than the C 43, but the difference in torque is a little bit more noticeable. On top of this, the C 43 has a more advanced transmission, a mild hybrid system, and rear axle steering. All of which adds up to a much more serious performance machine than the hotted-up Q50.
The Q50 is more than a little bit outdated by this point. A keyfob-only remote start, or a comparatively tiny infotainment touchscreen are both the kinds of things that the rest of the industry moved away from several years ago. Not even just luxury cars at this point either, the Q50 is outdated compared to any number of much cheaper cars. Ambient lighting has become standard on most luxury cars now, and the 64-color system used by Mercedes-Benz is a leader in this area, but Infiniti doesn’t even offer it as an option. Neither are a panoramic roof or head-up display on the options list, despite being common options elsewhere. So, while the Q50 Red Sport 400 is priced to compete with the C 43, Infiniti just hasn’t put in the effort to make it competitive.
Winner – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The highly advanced C-Class clearly stands out in its segment. The luxury, performance, and even practicality it offers simply can’t be matched by competitors. This is all the more impressive given how similar the pricing is for the competition. But really, the C-Class needs to be experienced in order to be fully appreciated. Let Mercedes-Benz of Easton help you find your C-Class.
