2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra maintained the refreshed design introduced in 2020, mirroring a smaller Altima with its sleek, coupe-like silhouette. The model radiated modernity and elegance, significantly distancing itself from the more cartoonish earlier iterations. The exterior came in multiple bold colors such as blue, burnt orange, and Scarlet Ember, along with a subdued gray option with a contrasting black roof.

Inside, the Sentra was praised for its simplicity and functionality, with a trio of vents at the center dash and a prominent touchscreen as the visual highlight. The base S trim offered 16-inch steel wheels, power windows, and a 7-inch touchscreen with essential features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV trim added luxuries such as heated side mirrors, proximity keyless entry, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The top SR trim further upgraded the vehicle with 17-inch alloy wheels, unique LED headlights, and a sporty interior with dual-zone climate control. The Midnight Edition package offered darker aesthetic elements, including black 18-inch wheels and a black rear spoiler.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class combined design elements from other models, creating a cohesive and stylish sedan. Its front end mirrored the CLA-Class, while the rear evoked the flagship S-Class. The result was a clearly recognizable Mercedes design, accentuated by the prominent three-pointed star logo on the grille. The C-Class's long hood and short rear deck emphasized its rear-wheel-drive layout.

Standard LED headlights and taillights could be upgraded to the Digital Light system, enhancing functionality with features like curve-following lights and pedestrian warnings.

Inside, the C-Class emulated the luxurious S-Class with features such as the freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, ambient lighting with 64 colors, and intricate speaker grilles. Although it came with standard synthetic leather upholstery, genuine Nappa leather was available on higher trims. The car’s interior aimed to offer a premium feel, justifying its luxury brand status.

Every 2022 Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the engine wasn't particularly exceptional, the CVT managed power effectively, offering consistent low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra’s steering was well-balanced, and its cornering was sharp, though not sporty. The suspension handled minor road bumps adequately but struggled with more severe conditions. Overall, it was a solid performer for commuting and occasional road trips.

The C300 model of the 2022 C-Class was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, supplemented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup included an electric motor providing an additional 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed limited to 130 mph. However, some turbo lag and rough gear shifts were observed during testing.

For those seeking more power, the Mercedes-AMG C43 variant offered 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The C300’s ride quality met luxury standards, handling bumps and potholes well, though with minor vibrations. On twisty roads, it showcased good body control and precise steering, albeit requiring more effort compared to top sports sedans.

The Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing many small sedans except for a few like the Kia Forte, which offered 15.3 cubic feet. The rear seats could fold down in a 60/40 split, although they created a small ledge that might complicate sliding larger items in. The trunk could be released remotely via the key fob or a dashboard button and popped open as if it were power-operated.

Inside, the Sentra boasted spacious seating across two rows. Front occupants enjoyed ample headroom and legroom, while the rear seats offered decent legroom and headroom. The cabin featured numerous storage spaces, including large door trays and multiple cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2022 C-Class sedan, available only in this body style for now, was longer and wider than its predecessor, marginally increasing interior space. Front headroom and rear headroom saw slight increases, with rear-seat legroom gaining 0.8 inches, making it a leader in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom among competitors. Despite the luxurious seating and bolstering, the thick rear pillars created a blind spot, mitigated by available driver aids.

The C-Class offered a substantial 17.9 cubic feet of trunk space, facilitated by a broad opening for easy loading. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats allowed for longer items, enhancing practicality even if specific cargo-space figures were not published by Mercedes. A power trunk release was available for added convenience.

The Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, supplemented by a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, maintaining the user-friendly interface and conventional hard buttons below the screen, alongside volume and tuning dials.

Despite its ease of use, the graphics on the Sentra’s system could benefit from an update, and it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—a feature increasingly common even in non-luxury vehicles like the Honda Civic.

The C-Class’s infotainment system mirrored the S-Class, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, standard on the base C300 Premium model. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with the mid-tier C300 Premium adding a Burmester 3D surround-sound system and the top C300 Pinnacle incorporating a head-up display and augmented-reality navigation.

The MBUX infotainment system, familiar from other Mercedes models, included the “Zero Layer” setup from the EQS electric car, allowing multiple functions to be displayed simultaneously on the screen. This efficient layout and the high-quality voice recognition system simplified access to various functions. The optional augmented-reality navigation provided real-time directional arrows overlaid on a front-camera feed, enhancing navigation accuracy.

The Sentra was equipped with a robust array of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Our test model also featured adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor. However, the adaptive cruise control’s braking tended to be abrupt, which could cause discomfort.

The Sentra earned the highest overall rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and received the highest "Good" rating across all crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also achieved the highest “Superior” rating for driver-assistance features, earning a “Top Safety Pick” award, despite lower headlight ratings.

Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication. However, the 2021 model was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+”.

The 2022 C-Class included a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit assist, a driver-attention monitor, and Pre-Safe features. Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, park assist, and advanced Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class also supported Car-to-X communication, which allowed vehicles to share information automatically, providing warnings, such as for weather or road conditions.