Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric: Range leader faces cabin friction in first drive

Mercedes-Benz has released a first drive review of the 2027 C-Class Electric, positioning the vehicle as a significant step forward in range and performance while noting specific ergonomic and software friction points. The initial US market offering is limited to the dual-motor C 400 4Matic variant, which utilises a 94-kilowatt-hour battery pack to achieve an estimated EPA range of 425 miles and 0–60 mph acceleration in 3.9 seconds. This launch occurs against a backdrop of declining sedan demand in the United States, with competitors such as Chevrolet and Buick having discontinued similar models. The new model follows the long-standing C-Class lineage, which dates back to the early 1990s, and aims to address aerodynamic and efficiency goals that previously characterised the brand’s EQE sedan. The test drive, conducted in Helsinki and the Finnish countryside, highlighted both the vehicle’s refined ride quality and handling, as well as criticisms regarding the intrusive placement of the 39.1-inch Hyperscreen display and lag in the AI voice assistant system.

The C 400 4Matic powertrain delivers 483 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the current AMG C43 and approaching the output of the top-tier C63 E Performance. While the acceleration is rapid, the vehicle’s primary selling point is its efficiency. The 94-kilowatt-hour battery pack supports charging rates up to 330 kilowatts, allowing a charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 22 minutes. Although the European WLTP cycle estimates a range of 474 miles, the harsher American EPA testing protocol is expected to yield the 425-mile figure. This represents a substantial improvement over the previous EQE sedan, which utilised a 96-kilowatt-hour battery but achieved only 308 miles of range in its single-motor configuration.

Inside the cabin, the vehicle features a 39.1-inch Hyperscreen display that spans the dashboard. While the image quality is described as spectacular, the review criticises the vertical positioning of the panel, which creates a claustrophobic feel when combined with the high centre tunnel. Despite these ergonomic concerns, the interior offers comfort and material choices, including a fully vegan upholstery option. The digital interface also includes a passenger display capable of streaming video content and running legacy applications, alongside a Burmester sound system with Dolby Atmos support and integrated Microsoft Teams functionality.

A significant point of contention in the review is the vehicle’s artificial intelligence voice assistant, which aggregates three large language models from ChatGPT, Google, and Microsoft. The system exhibited laggy responses during requests for restaurant reviews and demonstrated a tendency to make unprompted interruptions during conversations. In one instance, the AI interjected with unsolicited commentary on a private discussion between the driver and passenger. While these unprompted responses can be disabled, the review notes the feature serves as a disconcerting reminder of the vehicle’s constant listening capabilities.

On the road, the C-Class Electric demonstrated strong ride quality and handling, particularly in Sport mode where rear-steering adds agility. The optional adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride in Helsinki’s moderate-speed conditions. Advanced driver assistance features, such as MB.Drive Assist Pro, are available as an extra-cost option and will enable automatic navigation following and intersection stopping. The vehicle is scheduled to arrive in US dealerships in the first half of 2027, with the final success of the model likely dependent on its pricing strategy and the resolution of the noted cabin quirks.