2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic design from the previous year, following a complete makeover that was widely praised. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class continued to make a strong case for the sedan with its sleek and elegant design. The long distance between the front axle and the dashboard added to its elegance, while the proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament highlighted its prestigious lineage. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, featuring a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, providing a sophisticated and functional interior layout.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class incorporated styling elements from other Mercedes models, resulting in a cohesive and stylish sedan. Its cab-rearward proportions emphasized its rear-wheel-drive platform, distinguishing it from the front-wheel-drive CLA-Class and A-Class. Standard LED headlights and taillights, with an optional Digital Light system, added to its modern appeal. Inside, the C-Class aimed to emulate the S-Class with features like a freestanding touchscreen, ambient lighting, and intricate speaker grilles. Despite its luxury aspirations, the C-Class came standard with MBTex synthetic leather, with Nappa leather available on higher trims, offering a comfortable yet slightly less opulent interior.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both serene commuting and spirited driving. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the electric motor. The S580 model boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, also with EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively. The S500 achieved fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, while the S580 managed 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 model was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system adding 20 hp and 148 lb-ft in short bursts. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph. The sportier AMG C43 version offered 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The C300's power delivery was occasionally marred by turbo lag, and the transmission exhibited some rough shifts. However, the ride quality was impressive, balancing luxury and sportiness, with good body control and precise steering on twisty roads.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and comfortable cabin with luxury features. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 13.8-cubic-foot trunk provided ample storage. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the rear. Front seats offered heating, ventilation, massage, and memory functions, with additional luxury options available. The Executive Line package enhanced rear-seat comfort with multicontour seats and entertainment systems. The S-Class's wide-opening doors, though luxurious, could be challenging to close, but soft-close functionality mitigated this issue.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor, with improved headroom and rear-seat legroom. It led its segment in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, though front legroom was less competitive. The seats were comfortable, with good bolstering for spirited driving. Visibility was generally good, though thick rear pillars created blind spots. The trunk offered 17.9 cubic feet of space, with a wide opening for easy loading. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench allowed for longer items, and a power trunk release was available.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system, offering superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided crisp imagery, with an optional 3D cluster adding depth. Augmented video for navigation and an available augmented reality HUD enhanced the driving experience. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an optional 4D system adding headrest speakers. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for improved maneuverability.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class adopted a similar infotainment setup to the S-Class, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Burmester 3D surround-sound system available on higher trims. The MBUX system featured a "Zero Layer" setup, allowing easy access to functions. The voice recognition system was highly effective, and touch controls on the steering wheel were intuitive. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided clear guidance with overlaid arrows on a front-camera feed.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features. Magic Vision Control optimized windshield spray, while active distance assist Distronic, active steering assist, and active brake assist enhanced driving safety. Pre-Safe systems prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offered a range of advanced driver assistance systems, with many features standard. These included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe systems. Optional features included lane-keep assist, a 360-degree camera system, and adaptive cruise control. Car-to-X communication provided real-time warnings about road conditions, enhancing safety.