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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Should I buy one?

If you are a resident of Delhi, you can’t buy the C 250d, at least for the time being. The blanket ban on the sale of all cars with diesel engines over two litres means the C 250d isn’t eligible for sale in the national capital. For its part, Mercedes claims the C 250d’s emissions are below regulatory limits – 30 percent below the permissible limit for NOx and 60 percent below the permissible limit for particulate matter.

In markets where it is available, the C 250d makes for an interesting proposition. Its Rs 44.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) price tag makes the C 250d about Rs 5 lakh costlier than the C 220d Avantgarde. But for the additional outlay, the C 250d does get a significantly more powerful engine and a sophisticated nine-speed gearbox, both of which contribute to provide a more involving driving experience. And that’s the thing. The C 250 d is an ideal pick for buyers who spend a good deal of time driving themselves. It adds a degree of performance that will make the money seem well spent. However, if it’s the back seat that you’ll be occupying for the most part, you’d do just as well with the cheaper C 220d.