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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon boot space, practicality and safety

2014 - 2021 (change model)
Practicality rating: 4.4 out of 54.4

Written by Richard Kilpatrick Published: 30 September 2024

  • Good amount of interior space on offer
  • Boot is a good size and well-shaped
  • Lots of extra storage space, too

The C-Class is a surprisingly practical compact saloon, with enough space for four adults to comfortably sit for a long journey, as long as there aren’t two exceptionally tall people in the front seats.

There’s a vast amount of adjustment in the front, and the way the rear seat backs are reclined means those in the back shouldn’t struggle too much. A fifth passenger won’t want to spend too much time in the middle rear seat, though, as the transmission tunnel seriously eats into foot room.

You get multiple storage options in the cabin, including twin cupholders up front unless you’ve chosen a manual gearbox. There are large door bins and a generous central storage area beneath the armrest, and a reasonable glovebox. A reversing camera makes parking a lot easier. It’s hidden in the Mercedes badge, so stays cleaner than permanently-exposed ones.

Connected features via Mercedes Me allow monitoring of tyre pressures, fuel levels and lock status from a smartphone, with more features available the more recent the C-Class you’re looking at.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2020) rear seats

Will it fit in my garage?

The C-Class isn’t a large car, and is very easy to manoeuvre in tight car parks or about town, with quick steering at low speeds to aid this. With standard-fit parking sensors and the option of all-round cameras, it’s very easy to see all around the car, too.

Will my luggage fit?

At 455 litres the C-Class’s boot is a little smaller than those in the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series (480 litres for both), but with equally limited access due to the saloon body style. It’s wide enough to get most items in, but any trips to the dump will need something a bit more practical. You can fold the rear seat back for longer loads.

Oddly, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 and C 300 have slightly larger boots, but the EQ hybrid models drop to 300 litres.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2020) boot space

Safety

  • Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
  • Impressive amount of standard safety kit
  • More could be added at extra cost

As you’d expect from a firm famous for it, the safety credentials of the W205 C-Class were top-notch. In Euro NCAP crash tests, the Merc was awarded five stars. There are seven airbags as standard, while a further two in the rear can be ordered as optional extras.

Other standard equipment includes Attention Assist (which warns the driver if the car senses they’re tired) and Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which can autonomously brake the vehicle.

The bodyshell itself is constructed of far higher strength (yet lighter) metals than on the previous C-Class, which serves to mitigate the effects of any collision. Optional safety kit offered as part of the Driving Assistance package really bolsters the C-Class’s ability to de-stress and stay alert.

WATCH: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon Euro NCAP crash test

Euro NCAP rating

Overall NCAP safety rating 5 out of 5
Year tested: 2014
What is Euro NCAP?
Adult Occupant: 92%
Child Occupant: 84%
Vulnerable Road User: 77%
Safety Assist: 70%

Equipment and options

Each trim level will have different equipment offerings.
Basic equipment (21)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • Cruise control
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Front electric windows
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Service indicator
  • Side airbags
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
AMG Standard Equipment (7)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
AMG Optional Equipment (7)
  • Central locking
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Remote locking
  • Sports seats
AMG Edition Standard Equipment (9)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Central locking
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
AMG Edition Optional Equipment (3)
  • CD
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
AMG Line Standard Equipment (7)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Parking sensors
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
AMG Line Optional Equipment (5)
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Headlight washers
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
AMG Line Edition Standard Equipment (7)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Central locking
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
AMG Line Edition Optional Equipment (4)
  • CD
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
AMG Line Night Edition Standard Equipment (6)
  • Central locking
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
AMG Line Night Edition Optional Equipment (6)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Sports seats
AMG S Standard Equipment (10)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Central locking
  • DVD
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
AMG S Optional Equipment (1)
  • Electric sunroof
Nightfall Edition Standard Equipment (8)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
Nightfall Edition Optional Equipment (2)
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
S Standard Equipment (4)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Central locking
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
S Optional Equipment
  • n/a
SE Standard Equipment (3)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
SE Optional Equipment (6)
  • Central locking
  • Heated seats
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
SE Executive Edition Standard Equipment (8)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
SE Executive Edition Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Sport Standard Equipment (8)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Parking sensors
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
Sport Optional Equipment (4)
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Headlight washers
  • Lumbar support
Sport Edition Standard Equipment (8)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Central locking
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
Sport Edition Optional Equipment (4)
  • CD
  • DVD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Height adjustable drivers seat

Dimensions

Length 4686mm - 4757mm
Width 2020mm
Height 1426mm - 1452mm
View full specs