The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's line-up until the W168 A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class has been available with a "4MATIC" four-wheel drive option since 2002. The third generation (W204) was launched in 2007 while the current W206 generation was launched in 2021.
The upcoming W520 was unveiled in 2026 with sales starting in 2027.
Initially available in sedan and station wagon configurations, a fastback coupé (SportCoupé) variant followed and was later renamed to Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class. It remained in production until 2011 when a new W204 C-Class coupé replaced it for the 2012 model year.
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{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Chassis
!Type
!Debut
|-
|W201||"190" ||1982
|-
|W202||C-Class||1993 and displayed it in the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. Sales started on 31 March 2007 in almost all European countries. The new family had an extended wheelbase and tracks, a stiffer body/shell and a design inspired by the W221 S-Class with some influences from the C219 CLS-Class. The C-Class received a facelift in 2011 for the 2012 model year including new LED taillights, a revised dashboard and instrument cluster layout, and a revised front fascia and headlights. The W204 platform continued into 2015 with the C-Class coupe. The final farewell of the W204, and also the naturally aspirated V8, was in the Edition 507 model. This had increased power, lightweight wheels and the vented hood from the Black Series.
Fourth generation (W205; 2014)
thumbnail|left|Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan
The W205 C-Class was launched at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. The new structure was significantly lighter using aluminium and high-strength steel extensively throughout the body, resulting in a weight decrease. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class 205 chassis spawned four C-Class bodystyles; sedan (W205), wagon (S205), coupe (C205), and cabriolet (A205).
The car was officially unveiled on 16 December 2013. W205 production commenced on 4 February 2014 at the Bremen plant. Production was also undertaken at Mercedes-Benz plants in East London (South Africa), Iracemápolis (Brazil) and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (United States). European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014.
A mid-life update made its debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, including exterior changes and new engines.
Fifth generation (W206; 2021)
thumb|left|Mercedes-Benz C220d sedan
The W206 C-Class was unveiled on 23 February 2021. In China, the C-Class was launched in a long-wheelbase version (V206). For the first time, all W206 C-Class models are equipped with four-cylinder engines coupled with an integrated starter generator (15 kW electric motor) and a 48-volt electrical system.
The C-Class All-Terrain (X206) was released as an off-road focused, crossover-inspired estate model. The model received external body cladding, a 40 mm increase in ride height, 4Matic AWD and additional drive modes.
Battery electric (W520; 2026)
The W520 C-Class was unveiled on 20 April 2026. It has an 800-volt system, a two-speed gearbox with 350 miles of range, and a dash spanning dual display. Sales are set to begin in early 2027.
Production and sales
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Calendar year
! rowspan="2" | Production (sedan/estate/coupe)!! rowspan="2" | US sales
! colspan="3" |China sales
! rowspan="2"|Malaysia
|-
!ICE
!PHEV
!Total
|-
|2000
| ||
|
| ||
| 1,143
|-
| 2001
| ||51,210
|
| ||
|2,325
|-
| 2002
| ||64,025
|
| ||
|2,117
|-
| 2003
| ||65,982
|
| ||
| 1,257
|-
| 2004
| ||69,251
|
| ||
| 1,559
|-
| 2005
| ||60,658
|
| ||
| 1,721
|-
| 2006
| ||50,187
|
| ||
| 1,857
|-
| 2007
| ||63,701
|
| ||
| 1,826
|-
| 2008
| ||72,471
|
| ||
| 2,530
|-
| 2009
| ||52,427
|
| ||16,000
| 2,554
|-
| 2010
| 313,500 (250,600 / 62,900)||58,785
|
| ||27,220
| 2,756
|-
| 2011
| || 69,314
|
| ||
| 3,038
|-
| 2012
| 413,193 (-/-/48,145) || 81,697
|
| ||
| 3,988
|-
| 2013
| || 88,251
|
| ||
| 3,752
|-
| 2014
| 316,792 || 75,065
|
| ||
|3,195
|-
| 2015
| 443,909 || 86,080
|
| ||
| 3,839
|-
| 2016
| 490,200|| 77,167
|
| ||
| 5,597
|-
| 2017
| || 77,447
|
| ||
| 4,856
|-
| 2018
| || 60,409
|
| ||
| 5,328
|-
|2019
|
|
|
|
|
| 5,286
|-
|2020
|
|
|
|
|
| 3,340
|-
|2021
|
|
|
|
|
| 1,613
|-
|2022
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,958
|-
|2023
|
|
|150,153
|5,115
|155,268
|5,297
|168,073
|3,340
|126,470