Mercedes Refreshes the C-Class

Even with the rise in SUV sales, the C-Class is still a keystone vehicle. That’s why the latest round of changes to the 2019 model year are critical to the continued success of Mercedes-Benz. What we get are some mild design alternations for the mid-cycle refresh, combined with updated technologies.

You might notice that the front and rear fascias are different, but it’s nothing too crazy. LED headlights come standard for all models. A new 17-inch wheel design joins the fold. As for the interior, the overall layout is the same.

One big shift is the available 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Shoppers will also be able to get a 12.3-inch fully-digital gauge cluster. It’s not the one continuous screen now featured in the recently redesigned Mercedes-Benz models, but wait until the next generation.

What the C-Class does get from the E-Class are more driver aids. Radar sensors, a forward-facing camera, GPS, and map data allow the car to travel semi-autonomously in some situations. Yeah, there are a lot of qualifications there, and I seriously question the useful of this tech in its present form. But people supposedly want this stuff, some automakers “have” to provide it, no matter the ethical concerns.

A few performance tweaks are in the mix for the 2019 C-Class. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger now puts out 255 horsepower, marking a 14-horsepower increase. It’s something.