Mercedes C 250d review, test drive

The Mercedes-Benz C-class gets a more powerful diesel engine version with a nine-speed gearbox. Here’s what we thought about it.

Published on Apr 07, 2016 02:03:00 PM

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What is it like to drive?

If you thought the C 220d was lacking in power, you won’t be disappointed by the C 250d. You can immediately tell the engine is punchier here with noticeably more power just about everywhere in the rev range. The engine is responsive at low revs, has a strong mid-range and charges on quite effortlessly to 4,600rpm should you keep the throttle pinned to the floor. What undoubtedly helps performance is the nine-speed auto gearbox. The close ratios and quick shifts allow for brisk acceleration from any speed. Furthermore, the gearbox too is very responsive to tugs at the paddles and even lets you downshift aggressively. However, the gearbox won’t let you hold gear even in the sportiest (namely Sport +) of the drive modes. Enthusiasts might also rue the absence of launch control, something the BMW 320d comes with.

The C 250d not only felt quick but also registered pretty impressive numbers in our performance tests; 0-100kph took all of 7.89 seconds while 20-80kph and 40-100kph were dismissed in 5.49 seconds and 6.44 seconds respectively. These times make the C 250d faster than the C 220d though the launch control equipped BMW 320d is quicker to the ton with a time of 7.25 seconds.

But the C 250d is not just about big speed and power. It is also a very relaxing car to drive, say on routine city commutes and on long highway cruises. The engine and gearbox adapt well to driving style and engine noise is well contained for the most part. In town, the light steering makes the C 250d easy to live with.

But like the other mainstream C-class models, you will note the ride is slightly firm at low speeds and there’s also a fair amount of vertical movement when driving fast. It’s not uncomfortable in the least but isn't the benchmark in the segment either. Head to your favourite set of twisties and you’ll like how precise the C 250d’s steering feels. Handling on the whole is good but the C doesn’t feel as sharp or willing to change direction as a BMW 320d. We suspect handling would have been better with a grippier set of tyres. Our test car’s Bridgestone Turanzas let out a squeal at the slightest hint of spirited driving.