Mercedes-Benz has done many things differently with its 2022 C-Class sedan. For instance, it eschewed the big-displacement engines it builds so well. The C-Class, instead, is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that uses hybrid technology to get a surge of power. That approach makes it every bit as quick as expected but more efficient. Now, we have another important detail for shoppers: The new car will be available in trim levels.
Mercedes sold the 2021 C-Class in a single trim level, the C 300. A host of special editions and high-performance AMG models gave buyers some options to differentiate their C-Class, but that’s it.
For 2022, Mercedes will instead sell the C-Class in three trim levels: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle.
All three will arrive in showrooms early in 2022. Mercedes hasn’t revealed pricing yet. For comparison, the 2021 C-Class starts at $41,600 (plus a $1,050 destination fee) and can be pushed to the low $50,000 with options packages.
Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle
The Premium model is plenty luxurious. It offers heated front seats, a sunroof, and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen with Mercedes’ MBUX entertainment and information controls. Safety tech includes active braking assist and a parking damage detection system that alerts your phone if the car is dinged in a parking lot.
The Exclusive trim includes all the same content, plus active parking assistance. Inside, it boasts a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, inductive wireless charging, and enhanced ambient lighting.
The top-of-the-line Pinnacle trim adds an augmented-reality head-up display and navigation.
Options Still an Option
Trim levels, however, don’t mean that Mercedes has taken away buyers’ ability to configure their C-Class with a la carte options. Options at every level include a heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, a panoramic roof, and a lighting system that adapts to illuminate around curves.
An AMG Line with Night Package adds black accents, a more aggressive fascia, AMG wheels, and a diamond grille with the Mercedes three-pointed star design in chrome. Inside, it has a flat-bottom AMG Steering Wheel, AMG floor mats, and a dashboard upholstered in Mercedes’ MB-Tex vegetarian leather. It’s available at every trim level.
Coupe, convertible, and high-performance AMG editions could all come later in the C-Class’s production run.
