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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Date Published: 5/03/08
Also in the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review:
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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MSRP:
$25,850 - 53,900
Invoice:
$24,041 - 50,127
Class:
Premium Compact Car
2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Expert Rating Summary
Expert Rating Summary
| Category |
C240 Lux. Sdn, auto. Rating
Ratings) |
Premium Compact Car Average Rating |
| Acceleration | 4 | 6 |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | 5.3 |
| Ride Quality | 7 | 6 |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | 7.3 |
| Quietness | 7 | 6 |
| Controls | 7 | 6.9 |
| Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) | 6 | 6.3 |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | 3.6 |
| Cargo Room | 3 | 4 |
| Value within Class | 4 | 6 |
| Total Score: | 53 | 57.4 |
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS BUYING RESOURCES
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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
Revised styling and introduction of a high-performance V8 model highlight 2005 changes to Mercedes-Benz' least-expensive cars. The C-Class offers three body styles: sedan, wagon, and 2-dr hatchback coupe. Mercedes divides the line into Sport and Luxury versions.
C230s have a 189-hp supercharged 4-cyl engine; they come in Sport Coupe and Sport Sedan trim. C240s have a 168-hp V6; they come as Luxury Sedans and Wagons. C320s have a 215-hp V6; they come as a Sport Coupe and Sedan, and as a Luxury Sedan. The new high-performance C55 AMG sedan has a 362-hp V8. It replaces the 349-hp V6 C32 AMG sedan and has front-end styling distinct from other models'. C230 Sport and C320 Sport models are available with a 6-speed manual transmission or the 5-speed automatic that's standard on the other models. Rear-wheel drive is standard. The C240 sedan and wagon and C320 sedan are available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive. Due during the '05 model year is a 3.5-liter replacement for the C320's 3.2-liter V6.
For '05, Luxury Sedans and Wagons get new-style wheels and adopt body trim used on the 2004 Sport versions. Sport Sedans adopt body trim used on the C32 AMG. Sport Coupes get a perforated grille. All have revised headlamps and taillamps and a redesigned dashboard. Interior trim--wood on Luxury versions, aluminum on Sports--is also revised.
The C55 and Sports come with sport-tuned suspension. The C55 has 18-inch wheels, the Sports 17s; other models have 16s. Every C-Class has ABS, antiskid/traction control, front/rear side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags. Options include a navigation system and bi-xenon headlamps. Coupes are available with Mercedes' large Panorama sunroof that teams with a fixed-glass panel over the rear seat; each has a power sunshade.
C230s have a 189-hp supercharged 4-cyl engine; they come in Sport Coupe and Sport Sedan trim. C240s have a 168-hp V6; they come as Luxury Sedans and Wagons. C320s have a 215-hp V6; they come as a Sport Coupe and Sedan, and as a Luxury Sedan. The new high-performance C55 AMG sedan has a 362-hp V8. It replaces the 349-hp V6 C32 AMG sedan and has front-end styling distinct from other models'. C230 Sport and C320 Sport models are available with a 6-speed manual transmission or the 5-speed automatic that's standard on the other models. Rear-wheel drive is standard. The C240 sedan and wagon and C320 sedan are available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive. Due during the '05 model year is a 3.5-liter replacement for the C320's 3.2-liter V6.
For '05, Luxury Sedans and Wagons get new-style wheels and adopt body trim used on the 2004 Sport versions. Sport Sedans adopt body trim used on the C32 AMG. Sport Coupes get a perforated grille. All have revised headlamps and taillamps and a redesigned dashboard. Interior trim--wood on Luxury versions, aluminum on Sports--is also revised.
The C55 and Sports come with sport-tuned suspension. The C55 has 18-inch wheels, the Sports 17s; other models have 16s. Every C-Class has ABS, antiskid/traction control, front/rear side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags. Options include a navigation system and bi-xenon headlamps. Coupes are available with Mercedes' large Panorama sunroof that teams with a fixed-glass panel over the rear seat; each has a power sunshade.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.
Our single Best Buy in the Premium Compact Car class is the Acura TSX. Our Recommended picks include the BMW 3-Series and the Saab 9-3.
Our single Best Buy in the Premium Compact Car class is the Acura TSX. Our Recommended picks include the BMW 3-Series and the Saab 9-3.
News
The C-Class will remain the most affordable U.S. Mercedes, as a lower-priced B-Class won't be coming here as promised. Based on Mercedes' Euro-market A-Class "supermini" hatchback and recently previewed in concept form, the B-Class is a compact high-body wagon that was intended to rival the Audi A3 and BMW's upcoming 1-Series. But the dollar's steady decline against the Euro looked to price the new model above its low-$20,000 target, threatening sales and profits, so Mercedes decided not to bring it in.
The weak dollar also dims U.S. hopes for the X-Class, a compact crossover SUV based on C-Class components. This "baby M-Class" was mooted for 2007-08 as Mercedes' answer to BMW's American-built X3, but German sourcing would likely put it at a price disadvantage. Assuming Mercedes can get around that, a U.S. X-Class could come here with a 3.5-liter V6, standard AWD and overall length of around 177 inches. A hot V8 version is rumored for later on, as Mercedes has reportedly registered the names X55 and X63.
Another evident U.S. no-show is the Smart ForMore, an SUV-flavored miniwagon from DaimlerChrysler's European small-car division. Based on a Dutch-built front-drive hatchback developed with Mitsubishi, the ForMore was to be sourced from Brazil with a small 4-cyl engine, conventional and computer-controlled manual transmissions, standard AWD, and "off-roader" styling on a raised suspension. ForMore was slated for 2006 to lead the U.S. launch of the Smart franchise under "official" Mercedes auspices. But Smart keeps losing money at home, and ForMore development has been halted amid rumors that Mercedes might kill its low-end brand. Smart could still have a chance, but the outlook seems increasingly grim. For Americans determined to drive Smart, a California company called Zap offers a U.S.-legal version of Smart's 8-foot-long ForTwo, a two-seat semi-convertible with a turbocharged 698cc 3-cyl engine tucked in the tail.
The weak dollar also dims U.S. hopes for the X-Class, a compact crossover SUV based on C-Class components. This "baby M-Class" was mooted for 2007-08 as Mercedes' answer to BMW's American-built X3, but German sourcing would likely put it at a price disadvantage. Assuming Mercedes can get around that, a U.S. X-Class could come here with a 3.5-liter V6, standard AWD and overall length of around 177 inches. A hot V8 version is rumored for later on, as Mercedes has reportedly registered the names X55 and X63.
Another evident U.S. no-show is the Smart ForMore, an SUV-flavored miniwagon from DaimlerChrysler's European small-car division. Based on a Dutch-built front-drive hatchback developed with Mitsubishi, the ForMore was to be sourced from Brazil with a small 4-cyl engine, conventional and computer-controlled manual transmissions, standard AWD, and "off-roader" styling on a raised suspension. ForMore was slated for 2006 to lead the U.S. launch of the Smart franchise under "official" Mercedes auspices. But Smart keeps losing money at home, and ForMore development has been halted amid rumors that Mercedes might kill its low-end brand. Smart could still have a chance, but the outlook seems increasingly grim. For Americans determined to drive Smart, a California company called Zap offers a U.S.-legal version of Smart's 8-foot-long ForTwo, a two-seat semi-convertible with a turbocharged 698cc 3-cyl engine tucked in the tail.
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