Hyundai Sonata vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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.

While its standout features are its value and safety ratings, in N Line trim the Sonata also offers some emotional appeal. Affordable sports sedans are increasingly rare, and aside from the Kia K5 GT and Subaru Legacy Sport, there’s little else in the 2025 Sonata N Line’s segment that gives you this much horsepower for this kind of price. Of course, there is a penalty to pay at the gas pump, but otherwise the N Line delivers. In general, new rear-seat air conditioning vents and improved crash-test ratings boost the 2025 Sonata’s appeal and while gas models aren’t very fuel-efficient, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid fares better in this respect.

Verdict: Hyundai refreshed the Sonata in 2024 and improved its safety rating in 2025, keeping it competitive against midsize sedan rivals. All versions offer compelling value and are impressively safe, while the N Line model is pleasantly sporty.