Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. E-Class Sedans

Despite constantly increasing competition from crossover SUVs, no other car type can quite match the sedan when it comes to blending elegance and sportiness. If you’re looking to add luxury to that mix, the best choice you can make is arguably a Mercedes-Benz sedan. Two of the most popular ones are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class. While there’s no wrong choice when deciding which is your favorite, it does help to learn more about the differences between them so that you can make the best decision.

Design and Dimensions

The most obvious difference between the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is their size. The C-Class is considered a compact version of the midsize E-Class. It’s up to you to decide which size fits you best. Their dimensions are:

• C-Class: 187-inch length, 56.6-inch height, 80-inch width
• E-Class: 194.9-inch length, 57.9-inch height, 81.3-inch width

As you can see, the E-Class is slightly longer, taller, and wider than the C-Class. This provides a little more passenger room and cargo space. If you’re planning on using your luxury sedan for family outings, the E-Class may suit you a little better. If that’s not the case, you might like the C-Class more since it’s slightly easier to maneuver on crowded streets and in small parking lots.

Performance and Engine Options

Both the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have the same base engine. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder can generate up to 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough for most sedan drivers. Powertrain options for higher trims are different, though, emphasizing the sportiness of the C-Class and the elegance of the E-Class. All versions use a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission. Let’s look at the powertrain configurations and performance figures for each one.

2025 Mercedes C-Class Engine Options and Performance

The first optional engine available for the C-Class is on its AMG® C 43 trim. Similar to the base powertrain, it’s also based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder but has a much higher output of up to 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The AMG® C 43 trim also comes with additional performance-enhancing features, including a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, a sport exhaust system, and rear-axle steering that improves cornering ability. This engine configuration pushes the C-Class AMG® C 43 from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds.

If you want the highest-performing Mercedes-Benz C-Class you can get, the answer is its AMG® C 63 S E Performance trim. This plug-in hybrid powertrain is also based on a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and can deliver an impressive 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. It comes with useful features to help you control all that power, including performance brakes, fully variable torque distribution, and an all-wheel-drive system. The C-Class can go from a standstill to 60 mph in this configuration in an astonishing 3.3 seconds.

2025 Mercedes E-Class Engine Options and Performance

The 2025 E-Class’ first optional powertrain configuration includes a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that can deliver up to 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This pushes it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, a similar time to the similarly configured C-Class.

The top-of-the-range AMG® E 53 configuration is also the most powerful. Its turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine is paired with a plug-in hybrid system to produce a total of 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. This helps it reach 60 mph from a standstill in only 3.9 seconds, which is slower than the equivalent C-Class but impressively quick for such a large and comfortable luxury sedan.

Technology and Safety Features

Having plenty of infotainment and safety features has become a norm in the automotive world, with luxury sedans like the C-Class and E-Class certainly making no exception. As expected, given the C-Class’ focus on sportiness and the E-Class’ emphasis on interior comfort and elegance, the latter has slightly superior infotainment features. For instance, the base touch-screen interface on the C-Class is 11.9 inches wide, which is pretty large compared to many other vehicles but smaller than the 14.4-inch one on the E-Class.

The C-Class also comes with a standard digital instrument panel, a five-speaker sound system, and wireless smartphone connectivity through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Optional features include a navigation system, a 360-degree camera system, and a head-up display that shows essential info right on the windshield. The E-Class has all of these, plus other useful tech amenities, such as a wireless smartphone charger and an extra 12.3-inch touch screen on the passenger’s side that connects to the main 14.4-inch one.

Both models also come with plenty of driver-assistance features to enhance active safety. Some essential ones are:

• Automatic emergency braking: It automatically detects an imminent frontal impact and automatically hits the brakes if you don’t react in time.
• Evasive steering assistance: It reduces the chances of a frontal collision even further by automatically steering the vehicle to avoid the impact.
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning: It alerts you if another vehicle is in your blind spot when changing lanes or while driving in reverse.
• Blind-spot intervention: It automatically steers the vehicle back into its original spot if you try to change lanes while another vehicle is in your blind spot
• Adaptive cruise control: It maintains a constant driver-set distance between your Mercedes-Benz and the vehicle in front and automatically adjusts speed to keep that distance constant.
• Lane-keeping system: It constantly makes minor steering adjustments to keep the vehicle in the center of its lane.

Come Choose Your Favorite at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there’s no wrong choice when deciding between the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Since both are excellent vehicles that fit a wide variety of purposes, choosing your favorite comes down to how you feel about them. Trying them out is probably the most effective way of deciding which to buy. We’ll be here to answer your questions and help you make a decision. Contact us today to schedule a visit or just come by our dealership when you can.