2016 Mercedes-Benz C250d Test Drive Review

Mercedes-Benz C250d Review

Car Tested: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C250d; Road Test No. 702

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 55.52 lakhs

The C-Class finally gets the engine it always deserved with a much needed power boost

If there’s an award for the most aggressive automaker in India, it has to go to Mercedes-Benz. They have been launching cars left, right and centre which has made their portfolio humongous. One of the latest addition to the lineup is the C250d which essentially is a new engine option for the hugely popular C-Class. So what good does the additional power do to the executive sedan?

Motor Quest: Launched in 2014 globally, the fourth generation C-Class came to India soon after. Initially, only the petrol engined C200 was on offer. Ours being a diesel-dominated market, the C220d made its way after a few months and set the sales charts on fire. However, the ones who yearned for extra performance were left high and dry as the C250d which was offered in the previous generation wasn’t launched. Now, the wait has ended and Mercedes has finally got it here.

Exteriors – A lot has been said about the looks of the current C-Class. Is looks like a mini version of the big daddy S-Class and it is a great thing. The design is ageing very well and will look fresh in the years to come. There is no difference on the outside in the C250d’s case except for the obvious change of badge on the bootlid. The gorgeous looking headlamps and tail-lamps make everyone notice the car. To the unaware, the car can pass off as a S-Class if they don’t notice the length.

Interiors – The Mercedes C-Class boasts of the best-in-class interiors with rich materials all around. The new age interior theme of the German carmaker is superb and has clicked well with the masses. The beige interiors lend an airy feel to the cabin and make it look more spacious than it actually is. Speaking of space, the rear seat of the Mercedes C250d is perfectly usable for those who are chauffeur driven. Sure, the legroom will be a little less but the seats offer good support to the passengers.

Performance – The talking point of the Mercedes C250d has to be the engine. Although it is the same 2.1-litre unit that powers the C220d, the tune is different making it gain 34 BHP and 100 Nm of torque. The extra power helps the sedan move with a little more go and the go is much needed too. It is the extra torque which will be the most appreciated characteristic as it ensures that power is available when you need it the most. The bump in power has improved the 0-100 km/hr timing which now stands at 6.6 seconds.

The C250d has the much needed punch to make the German sedan quick

To make things even more relaxing, Mercedes has equipped the car with its 9-speed automatic transmission which makes highway cruising very soothing. At 100 km/hr, the engine spins at a very lazy 1200 RPM in ninth gear although the gearbox will stay in eight gear to offer you the go even you dab the accelerator. I have to say this, while the additional power does improve the acceleration and cruising ability, the difference wouldn’t be noticed unless one really knows their cars. For quite some time, I was trying hard to notice the additional power.

Driving Dynamics – With no changes to any mechanical components except the engine, the driving dynamics of the C250d remain identical to the C220d. Clearly, importance has been given to comfort over sportiness. The suspension has been setup to filter out the undulations that Indian roads have to offer in plenty. The steering wheel is also light at low speeds but weighs up as the speed increases. The braking performance is absolutely spot on but then, that is something which is supposed to be the way it is at this price point.

Safety and After Sales Service – Safety is the first word which comes to mind when we speak of German cars. The C250d is no different and it gets the usual set of safety features including 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP and TCS. In terms of after sales service, Mercedes has a good reputation and the service quality is excellent for the most part. The service network of the brand is also widespread which lets people in the remotest corners of the country buy a Mercedes without worrying too much about the servicing aspect.

Verdict – The older C-Class always came in the C250 CDI variant and the newer version should have ideally been launched with the same too. However, to avoid the sticker shock, Mercedes played smart and got in the car later. As they say, better late than never. The sedan has finally got its much needed dose of power and it makes for an even better buy now. However, if your driving isn’t very high, it is the petrol counterpart which makes more sense as it is much more refined, offering decent performance and comes in a little cheaper.

What’s Cool

* Engine finally gets the go it needed
* Excellent interior and exterior design

What’s Not So Cool

* Price is dangerously close to the E-Class

Alternatives: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE, Volvo S60

2016 Mercedes-Benz C250d Specifications

* Engine: 2143cc, Inline-4, Turbocharged Diesel
* Power: 204 BHP @ 3800 RPM
* Torque: 500 Nm @ 1600-1800 RPM
* Transmission: 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic
* 0-100 km/hr: 6.6 seconds (Claimed), 7.22 seconds (VBOX)
* Fuel Consumption: 13 km/l (City), 17 km/l (Highway)
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: Multi-Link
* Tyres: 225/50/R17
* Brakes: Disc brakes (front), disc brakes, ABS
* Safety: 7 Airbags, ABS, BAS, ASR, ESP

2016 Mercedes-Benz C250d Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 4686 mm X 1810 mm X 1442 mm
* Wheelbase: 2840 mm
* Kerb weight: 1650 kgs
* Turning radius: 5.61-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 66-litres
* Boot Volume: 480 litres

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

Mercedes C-Class Petrol Review
Mercedes C-Class Diesel Review
Mercedes C-Class vs BMW 3-Series vs Audi A4

Photos – Adil’s Photography