2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2021 Subaru Impreza exhibited a solid but unremarkable design language in its latest generation. Gone were the bold styling risks of past models, instead adopting a more conservative approach. The sedan and hatchback both sported sleek headlights and taillights that added an impression of width, punctuated by a nicely tapered front end. Subtle scalloping on the body sides provided some visual interest, while the awkward wheel arch sheetmetal of previous models was thankfully minimized. The Sport models received unique styling touches, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, adding a sporty flair that base models with 16-inch steel wheels lacked.

The Impreza shared its underlying Subaru Global Platform with larger models like the Legacy sedan, Outback wagon, Forester, and Ascent crossovers. This platform promoted a high level of refinement noted across Subaru's lineup. Inside, the Impreza’s interior did not excite with its predominantly plastic components and a dashboard bisected by the infotainment touchscreen housing. However, model-specific features like contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals in the Sport model, and leather upholstery in the range-topping Limited gave it a bit more elegance.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class exuded a more cohesive and unmistakably luxurious design. The exterior borrowed elements from other Mercedes models to create a recognizable and stylish sedan. The front featured a drooping design akin to the CLA-Class, while the rear end and thin taillights were S-Class inspired. The cab-rearward proportions emphasized its rear-wheel-drive platform with a long hood and short rear deck, distinctly setting it apart from its front-wheel-drive siblings, the CLA-Class and A-Class.

Standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an optional Digital Light system, offered advanced functionality such as curve-following illumination and the projection of warning icons. Inside, the C-Class aimed to replicate the opulence of the S-Class, with standout features like a freestanding touchscreen, prominent air vents, 64-color ambient lighting, and optional Burmester audio system speaker grilles. These elements collectively imbued the C-Class interior with a special luxury that mainstream brands couldn't easily replicate, although the standard MBTex synthetic upholstery reminded buyers of its price segment.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Subaru Impreza came equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The boxer engine, characterized by opposing pistons, resided lower in the chassis to help lower the car's center of gravity. Most Impreza models featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), although a five-speed manual was available on the base sedan and hatchback, as well as the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport trim also boasted model-specific suspension tuning and added torque vectoring for enhanced all-wheel-drive performance.

Driving the Impreza provided a generally agreeable experience, though it lacked the engagement found in competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. It felt solid and refined rather than tinny. The Impreza Sport's special suspension tuning struck a good balance between ride quality and handling. However, due to noncommunicative steering and the engine’s limited power, it fell short of being a true driver’s car; enthusiasts would need to look towards the WRX for that.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 sported a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, adding up to 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with its top speed electronically limited to 130 mph.

Mercedes also introduced a sportier AMG C43 trim, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, reducing the zero to 60 mph time to 4.6 seconds, with a top speed up to 165 mph with optional larger wheels.

Driving the C300 4MATIC, we found it adequately powerful but experienced turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. However, it delivered a smooth ride quality befitting a luxury car, muting impacts with bumps and potholes. On twisty roads, the C-Class exhibited good body control and precise steering, though it required deliberate handling. It performed well, albeit with more effort compared to more agile sports sedans.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered practical interior space typical of the compact car segment. Both sedan and hatchback versions provided reasonable legroom, though headroom in both rows was slightly below average. The Impreza sedan’s trunk held 12.3 cubic feet, the smallest among compact sedans. However, the standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat enabled flexibility for longer items. The hatchback version excelled with 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up, exceeding the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla hatchbacks but falling short of the Honda Civic hatchback. With rear seats down, the Impreza hatch offered 55.3 cubic feet, outpacing the Civic. Roof rails came standard on all hatch trims except the base model. The Impreza also offered an All-Weather Package on Premium trims and above, adding heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated mirrors. Sport trims included keyless entry with pushbutton start, while Limited trims added power driver’s seats and automatic climate control, with a power moonroof as an optional extra.

In comparison, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan grew larger than its predecessor, offering increased interior space. Front headroom improved by 0.1 inch, and rear headroom by 0.4 inches, coupled with an additional 0.8 inches of rear legroom. This design translated into leading front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom within its segment, although front legroom lagged behind competitors.

As expected of a luxury sedan, the C-Class provided comfortable seats with sufficient bolstering for spirited driving. While forward visibility was excellent, thick rear pillars created blind spots, hence the importance of its many available driver aids. Quibbles included dashboard glare in direct sunlight and an inconveniently placed wireless charging pad. The trunk space at 17.9 cubic feet was generous compared to rivals, with a wide opening making loading easy. The split-folding rear bench offered additional utility for longer items, although Mercedes did not specify the cargo space with seats folded.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza’s tech offerings were straightforward yet functional. Base and Premium trims featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen. An option package on the top Limited trim added TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. An unusual addition was a secondary display above the main touchscreen, showing information like estimated range near the driver's line of sight. Despite the redundancy with the gauge cluster display, the infotainment system was user-friendly with prominently large icons and minimal menu digging required.

For the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the infotainment system aimed to mimic the flagship S-Class, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enhanced connectivity, with higher trims offering a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, head-up display, and augmented-reality navigation. The MBUX system with “Zero Layer” functionality made navigating menus very intuitive, with important functions like audio and phone appearing as tiles over the navigation map background. Voice recognition in the MBUX system was top-notch, and touch controls on the steering wheel were easy to use and functionally organized. The augmented-reality navigation used a front-camera feed to overlay arrows on the touchscreen, clearly indicating turns and alleviating common navigation system issues.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza achieved high safety ratings, earning an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award with the highest “Good” score in all crash tests. However, the standard headlights received a “Marginal” rating, preventing a “Top Safety Pick+” designation, while suitably rated LED headlights were available on the Limited trim. NHTSA awarded both sedan and hatchback versions a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite came standard on CVT-equipped models, featuring technologies like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

For the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at publication time. Nonetheless, the 2021 C-Class was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+.” The 2022 model included a robust array of standard ADAS, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit assist, and Pre-Safe suite features. Optional features extended to lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, and advanced adaptive cruise control. Notably, the C-Class offered a Car-to-X communication system, sharing real-time information like weather conditions or road hazards among networked vehicles.