2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The least-expensive cars from Mercedes-Benz come in sedan, wagon, and coupe body styles. Sedans and wagons are available with all-wheel drive vs. the standard rear-wheel drive. C230 versions have a 189-hp supercharged 4-cyl engine; they come in Sports Coupe and Sport Sedan trim. C240 versions have a 168-hp V6 and come as a sedan or wagon. C320 versions have a 215-hp V6 and come in all three body styles and include Sports Coupe and Sport Sedan editions. The high-performance C32 AMG sedan has a supercharged 349-hp V6, sport suspension, and 5-speed automatic transmission. On other C-Class models, a 6-speed manual transmission is standard and a 5-speed automatic is optional, except on the C240 and C320 sedan and wagon, where the automatic is standard. Mercedes' 4Matic AWD is available for any automatic-transmission C-class sedan or wagon, except the C230 and C32. Sports Coupe and Sport Sedan editions come with sport-tuned suspension, manual transmission, body cladding, and aluminum interior trim. Sport editions and the C32 have 17-inch wheels vs. other models' 16s. This year, 4Matic and heated front seats add $1200, a $1250 cut vs. 2003. All models are now factory prewired to accept a newly optional dealer-installed satellite radio. And Sports Coupes gain as standard a 3-spoke steering wheel, enlarged chrome exhaust tip, and other sporty appearance features. Every C-Class has ABS, antiskid/traction control, front/rear side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and Mercedes' BabySmart child-seat recognition system. Coupes are available with Mercedes' large Panorama sunroof that teams with a fixed-glass panel over the rear seat; each has a power sunshade. Mercedes' TeleAid assistance system is standard on the C32, available for other models. A navigation system also is available. Bi-xenon headlamps are a linewide option.