Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Acura ZDX

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the automaker’s entry-level model, but it needed a new role. Mercedes now has a line of compact cars serving as lower-priced entryways to the brand, so it’s moving the C-Class upmarket. The redesigned 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan borrows design elements from the automaker’s flagship S-Class to entice new car buyers on a budget who still want the most Mercedes for their money.

The C-Class competes against a formidable array of small sports sedans. Like the Mercedes, the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS, and Volvo S60 are fixtures in this segment, with nameplates that date back at least two decades. The Acura TLX, Cadillac CT4, and Infiniti Q50 are newer names that build on their respective brands’ experience in the segment. The Genesis G70 is a relative newcomer from a recently launched brand that’s already managed to impress.

The all-new C-Class launches in C300 sedan form with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD), optional 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), and Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trim levels. Our test car was a C300 4Matic in the top Pinnacle trim. An AMG C43 performance model is also on the way, but it’s not expected to hit showrooms until after the C300, which arrives at dealerships later this spring.

Seeking a fast path to an electric vehicle, Acura and its parent company, American Honda, partnered with General Motors to use GM's acclaimed Ultium EV platform and component set. The results are the 2024 Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue, and the ZDX is an appealing entry in the two-row electric luxury SUV segment. Acura sources it from GM's Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant, which also produces the Cadillac Lyriq.

Verdict: Acura-specific design and details distinguish the new 2024 ZDX as different from GM-branded electric SUVs. Still, those in the know will identify GM-sourced design and components as apparent as the infotainment system and as subtle as the new-car smell. Does that matter? Ultimately, the market will decide, but we like the ZDX.