2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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Rating8.6

Ranked #2 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$34,800 - $44,370
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Stream of potent and efficient engines

Cabin is small compared to rivals

The V6 engine is amplified for more power

Signature Mercedes driving dynamics even with the base trim

AWD isn't standard

Refined and improvised 7-speed transmission

Impressive gas mileage

Lavish and well-appointed interiors

Specs & Features

$34,800

price

201 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

229 lb.-ft. @ 2200 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.8L 4cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan is a compact sedan offered in 3 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $34,800. For that price, it mainly competes with the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, and the Volvo S60. Between the 3 trims, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan offers 3 powertrains. The base engine is a 1.8L turbocharged Inline-4 engine making 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 228 horsepower-making 3.0L V6 engine. Also available is the 3.5L turbocharged V6 engine that puts out 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. All three engines are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan reaches 60 mph from zero in 7.4 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5.6 seconds with the 3.5L engine. Depending on the powertrain, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan can manage a combined fuel economy between 22 and 25 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 11 striking colors the C-Class Sedan comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

We recommend the mid tier C300 trim that comes with an efficient and powerful V6 engine and with plenty of features like Harman-Kardon sound system, heated front seats, iPod interface and many more as standard.

Trims

    C 250 Sport
    $34,800 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/HD/Satellite-Prep
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Heated mirrors
    • Rain sensing windsheild wiper
    • Rear Fog/driving lights
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    C 250 Luxury
    $35,220 onwards
    • 17-Inch wheels
    • Automatic headlights
    • Cruise control
    • Rain-Sensing wipers
    C 250
    $37,220 onwards
    • Engine: 1.8L 4cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 201 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 229 lb.-ft. @ 2200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.1 sec
    • Top Speed: 152 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg
    C 300 Sport
    $38,020 onwards
    • Harman kardon premium audio
    • Satellite radio
    • USB/iPod audio interface
    C 300 Luxury
    $38,430 onwards
    • Driver memory functions
    • Heated Front Seats
    C 350 Sport
    $40,575 onwards
    • 18-Inch wheels
    • Bluetooth audio streaming
    • Tilt & telescoping steering wheel
    C 350
    $42,370 onwards
    • Engine: 3.5L 6cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 302 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.3 sec
    • Top Speed: 133 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$34,800- $44,370

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.55

Horsepower

302 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

273 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$30,010- $38,650

Gasoline

7.66

201 hp @ 7000 rpm

170 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$47,300- $48,700

Gasoline

8.19

333 hp @ 5500 rpm

325 lb.-ft. @ 2900 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,500- $36,400

Gasoline

8.48

211 hp @ 4300 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,900- $60,800

Gasoline

8.38

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

5

Read Review

$38,500- $46,050

Gasoline

6.9

328 hp @ 7000 rpm

269 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,900- $51,300

Gasoline

8.07

328 hp @ 7000 rpm

269 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,100

Gasoline

6.8

218 hp @ 6400 rpm

187 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,100- $34,500

Gasoline

7.47

218 hp @ 6400 rpm

187 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$40,220- $42,680

Gasoline

8.5

306 hp @ 6400 rpm

277 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7 sec15 sec133 mph
    2012 Audi S4

    Ranked #1

    4.9 sec13.5 sec155 mph
    5.2 sec13.9 sec-
    5.3 sec13.6 sec-
    5.5 sec13.8 sec-
    5.7 sec14.2 sec130 mph

    2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      21 mpg31 mpg25 mpg17.4 gal.365.4/539.4 mi.
      23 mpg34 mpg27 mpg15.8 gal.363.4/537.2 mi.
      22 mpg31 mpg26 mpg18.5 gal.407/573.5 mi.
      2012 Audi A4

      Ranked #3

      22 mpg30 mpg25 mpg16.9 gal.371.8/507 mi.
      20 mpg29 mpg23 mpg20 gal.400/580 mi.
      20 mpg30 mpg23 mpg17.8 gal.356/534 mi.

      2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        180.8 in.69.7 in.56.3 in.4.1 in.108.7 in.
        187.9 in.69.8 in.57.2 in.5.1 in.112.2 in.
        187.9 in.69.8 in.57.8 in.4.9 in.112.2 in.
        187.9 in.69.8 in.57.8 in.4.9 in.112.2 in.
        187.9 in.69.8 in.57.2 in.5.1 in.112.2 in.
        2012 Audi S4

        Ranked #2

        185.7 in.71.9 in.55.4 in.5 in.110.7 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          12.4 cu.ft.88 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.
          14 cu.ft.94.5 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi S4

          Ranked #3

          12.4 cu.ft.90 cu.ft.34 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.99 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi A4

          Ranked #5

          12.4 cu.ft.91 cu.ft.57.9 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.41 cu.ft.

          2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            70.1 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.-
            62.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.-
            2012 Audi S4

            Ranked #3

            62.9 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.34 cu.ft.-
            11.3 cu.ft.13 cu.ft.13 cu.ft.-
            41 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.41 cu.ft.98 ft.
            13.1 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.-

            2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1135 lbs.3428 lbs.
              3307 lbs.890 lbs.3548 lbs.
              1000 lbs.850 lbs.3470 lbs.
              -1024 lbs.3822 lbs.
              -1043 lbs.3746 lbs.
              2012 Audi A4

              Ranked #3

              --3505 lbs.

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