Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet Review 2023

What sets the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet apart from many rivals is its overall combination of style, performance, technology, and usability. It does so much, so well.

Beyond the limited rear-seat space (something that affects many convertibles) there are no major compromises to be made. The firm ride may take some adapting to, but this can be minimised with a careful choice of options. A fabric soft-top may be of concern for some, but Mercedes has overcome the main issue of inferior refinement. 

The car could be used daily for commuting, yet would still feel like a treat when you head into the country at weekends for driving pleasure. Unless you are looking for a convertible that can double-up as a practical family car, there are no real limitations to choosing a convertible C-Class.

Many buyers will find the petrol Mercedes C 200 more than enough for their needs. The four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 184PS, which helps it feel brisk, if not a true performance machine. 

For those who cover longer distances, the Mercedes C 220d diesel makes a lot of sense. With 170PS, it has almost as much power as the petrol C 200, but benefits from more low-down torque. It can also achieve up to 51 mpg, saving you money at the pumps. 

Regardless of fuel type, we would recommend a model with the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox. It suits the nature of the Mercedes C-Class comvertible perfectly, and helps boost efficiency. AMG Line trim also delivers notable value for money, combining lots of equipment with fancier styling for little extra cost.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible is the closest rival to the C-Class, offering four seats and superb driving dynamics. The latest model uses a similar fabric roof to the Mercedes, a change from the metal folding roof of its predecessor.

Audi’s A5 Cabriolet delivers an even classier interior than the Mercedes C-Class and also makes use of a fabric soft-top roof. The Mercedes edges the Audi slightly for ride comfort, but the margins between all three German cars are small. 

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible offers a leftfield take on the premium cabrio concept, even if it remains a rarity. And if performance matters most, the Ford Mustang Convertible offers serious power at a bargain price. 

It might sound like a cliche to suggest that a Mercedes-Benz has a well-built interior, but that is genuinely the case here. The latest models in particular have an extremely high-quality interior, so you will instantly feel like this convertible is worth the money.

Seats clad in either artificial or real leather add to the impression and the dashboard is finished with impressive materials. Earlier examples featured a mixture of gloss black trim with aluminium elements, whilst later cars used contemporary looking black ash wood. 

The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels suitably pricey to hold, while all the important buttons give the sense they are built to last. Some of the plastics lower down the cabin may feel a little cheaper, but you will need to make a deliberate search to find them. Performance AMG models gain a dashboard finished in Artico, making them look even classier. 

Ambient lighting is another impressive feature, offering LEDs that surround the door trim, cup holders and footwells. The colours and brightness can be changed, allowing an extra degree of personalisation for the inside of your soft top C-Class.

With the C-Class Cabriolet range spanning a wide range of prices, Mercedes-Benz fits a varying level of multimedia connectivity depending on the car chosen. 

All feature a digital display screen unceremoniously tacked to the top of the dashboard. This makes it easy to read, but it can look like someone has left a tablet device there. It’s also not a touchscreen, so don’t start jabbing at it.

Cars made before the 2018 facelift use a 7.0-inch display, apart from the range-topping AMG C 63 with its larger 8.4-inch unit. All cars sold after the facelift have a substantial 10.25-inch screen instead. 

A rotary controller is used to change settings on the screen in basic Sport and AMG Line models. Some higher-specification cars use an additional touchpad, while those sold after the facelift even have individual touchpads on the steering wheel. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but familiarity will demonstrate how user-friendly it really is.

Satellite navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB ports and iPhone connections are all included as standard. Higher trim levels gain the Comand Online system, which can access live traffic data and other useful information via a mobile internet connection. 

If you have the choice, go for a car with the Burmester surround-sound audio system. With 13 speakers it packs a serious punch for audiophiles.

Most buyers will not be considering a convertible for trips to the recycling centre or transporting all the family on a regular basis. Like many rival four-seater cabriolets, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has limits to its practicality, but it should be useful enough for most people considering one. 

Room up-front is plentiful, with the highly adjustable seats allowing both driver and passenger to get comfortable. Interior storage comes in the form of sizeable door bins, along with a lockable glove box and space beneath the centre console armrest.

Those in the back will feel less accommodated. Although the seats may appear adult-sized, they lack legroom and have very upright backrests. It means longer journeys are likely to result in complaints. Headroom with the fabric roof up is also limited, although that’s clearly not an issue when cruising topless. 

Children are far more likely to be happy in the rear of the C-Class Cabriolet. Isofix attachments for child seats are also fitted as standard.

Using the back seats as an extension of the boot is perhaps the most practical option. With the roof up, there is a total of 360 litres of space in the boot of the C-Class. However, as with many convertibles, the soft-top partly eats into this space when lowered. 

It helps the rear deck of the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet look smooth, but it drops actual storage space in the boot to just 285 litres. That is less space than a typical family hatchback, but that’s also true for the BMW 4 Series Convertible and Audi A5 Cabriolet.

The Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet does at least benefit from rear seats that fold down. This allows longer items, such as skis, to be fed through from the boot.

Due to the limited luggage space, Mercedes-Benz does not fit the C-Class Cabrio with a spare wheel. Most models have a tyre-inflation compressor to cope with punctures, while AMG models use run-flat tyres instead. 

With great all round visibility when the roof is down the C-Class Cabriolet shouldn't be difficult to park. It's 4686mm long, 2016mm wide (including mirrors) and 1409mm tall. 

Engine options in the C-Class Cabriolet include four petrols and two diesels, ranging from the mundane through to the outright ridiculous. 

Pre-facelift diesels use the same twin-turbocharged four-cylinder unit. The C 220d has 170PS, and can be ordered with optional 4Matic four-wheel drive. Slightly more expensive is the C 250d version with 204PS. 

Later facelifted cars see the C 220d boosted to 194PS, with a new C 300d also introduced. The latter has 245PS, becoming the hottest diesel model offered. 

Petrol engines for pre-facelift cars start with the tame C 200 and C 300 turbocharged four-cylinder models. The C 200 has 184PS, and can run from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds with the standard manual gearbox, or 7.8 seconds with the optional 9G-Tronic automatic.

The more powerful C 300 comes with 245PS and the automatic transmission as standard. Capable of 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, it presents a notable step up from the C 200 without a major increase in fuel consumption. 

After the facelift, the C 200 gained ‘EQ Boost’ mild-hybrid technology, adding an extra 14PS. The C 300 model was upgraded to 258PS, while an entry-level C180 with 156PS was introduced, using a manual gearbox. 

Kicking off the AMG models is the C 43. With four-wheel drive as standard, it uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 to deliver 367PS. Later facelifted versions benefit from even more power, at 390PS.

Topping the range is the AMG C 63. With a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 it generates a hefty 476PS, increasing to 510PS for the AMG C 63 S. It makes the C-Class terrifying quick, and comes with a roaring exhaust note that sounds even better with the roof lowered.

Not having a metal top causes no problems for the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet when it comes to refinement. Driving the convertible should be no less relaxing than the coupe version.

The substantial fabric soft-top manages to insulate the outside world almost as well as a solid roof. Wind noise is generally hushed, although some does come from the wing mirrors.

Tyre noise can be detected on those with the biggest wheels. AMG C 43 and C 63 models with their 19-inch alloys are worst affected, although the exhaust note does help mask it. None of this is sufficiently annoying to detract from refinement inside the C-Class.

Naturally, lowering the roof does open up the potential for buffeting and draughts inside the cabin. The standard Aircap system works brilliantly to eliminate this, using a pop-up spoiler mounted at the top of the windscreen. It looks a little odd when raised, but its effectiveness is hard to ignore. 

A more traditional wind deflector also rises from behind the rear seats, further helping isolate draughts. Unlike designs used by rivals, the Mercedes draught stopper still allows access to the rear seats.

Mercedes-Benz has built a strong reputation for safety, and the C-Class Cabriolet does nothing to dispel it. When tested by Euro NCAP, the C-Class managed to score 89% for adult occupant protection, 79% for child occupants, 66% for pedestrians and 53% for safety assist technologies.

A total of seven airbags can be found inside the C-Class. This includes one that protects the driver’s knees, plus window bags that deploy from the tops of the doors. These are all combined with a strengthened front windscreen, plus pop-up roll hoops that hide behind the rear seats. The rear seats feature Isofix attachment points for child seats, including top tether mounts. 

Stability and traction control systems are standard, as is Attention Assist to detect if the driver shows signs of falling asleep at the wheel. Mercedes also offers an additional Driving Assistance Package, including features such as Blind-Spot Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, an Active Brake Assist. 

Collision Prevention Assist is an important standard feature. This scans the road ahead for potential hazards, and automatically applies the brakes should the car sense an imminent collision. A pop-up bonnet is fitted to help prevent harm to pedestrians. 

Front and rear parking sensors are fitted to all models, and supported by a standard reversing camera. Active Parking Assist, which allows the C-Class to steer itself into parking spaces, is a feature across the range. 

Tyre pressure monitoring is another standard-fit item. This is particularly important, given the lack of a standard spare wheel. AMG models use run-flat tyres, while lower models have a compressor kit designed to repair minor punctures. 

As a manufacturer Mercedes-Benz didn't perform as well as previous years in the latest HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index. Overall the firm didn't rank badly, out of 30 manufacturers, Mercedes came 13th with an overall satisfaction of 87.9%. However, the previous generation of Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate came 3rd in the top 20 worst cars for reliability. 

As a premium four-seater convertible, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabrio is always going to be towards the expensive end of the scale when it comes to insurance costs. This is clearly not a car aimed at those who have just passed their driving test.

The cheapest petrol models to insure are early C 200 versions in Sport specification, fitted with a manual gearbox. These should fall into insurance group 32 out of 50. Early C 220d diesels sneak into group 31, potentially making them marginally cheaper. 

Moving up in power brings higher group ratings. This reaches a maximum with the AMG C 63 S, which scores the top group 50 insurance rating thanks to its incredible speed.

First launched in 2016, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet finds itself falling across multiple VED (road tax) schemes. For cars registered before the VED changes introduced in April 2017, the C 220d Sport attracts the cheapest tax. With CO2 emissions of 116g/km, it grabs the desirable £30 per year tax bracket. 

Many of the C-Class Cabrio models start just above the £40,000 threshold. This adds an additional £325 charge, payable for five years, to the standard £150 VED rate. Applicable to cars registered after March 2017, this will affect almost all nearly-new models on sale. 

Company car tax rates also vary substantially across the range. The C 200 Sport attracts a 31 percent benefit-in-kind rate, increasing throughout the different models to the AMG C 63 S at 37 percent.

Pre-facelift specification started with Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet Sport trim, although this was dropped after September 2018. These cars have 17-inch alloy wheels, comfort-orientated suspension, LED headlights, Artico artificial leather upholstery and satellite navigation as standard. 

Original Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet AMG Line brings 18-inch alloy wheels, a sportier design for the front and rear bumpers, plus a fancier front grille. Sports suspension, sports steering and a flat-bottomed steering wheel were also included.

After the 2018 facelift, Mercedes-Benz began offering Premium versions. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet AMG Line Premium cars benefit from a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, ambient LED interior lighting and wireless charging over the regular AMG Line version. 

Topping the range is Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet AMG Line Premium Plus. This adds keyless entry and start, a 360-degree camera system and the impressive Burmester sound system. In terms of value for money, AMG Line is arguably the best option on cars before or after the 2018 facelift. It includes plenty of standard equipment, but still maintains a level of relative affordability.