We review the Mercedes-Benz C 300 convertible: is it as good as it looks?
- Convertibles aren’t very practical, and they aren’t the best choice for performance driving. But they are fun, writes Matthew DeBord
It’s convertible season here at Business Insider. Warmer weather in the northeast of the United States has brought the drop-tops to our suburban New Jersey test centre, and with them the unvarnished joys of open-air motoring.
Convertibles aren’t terribly practical cars, and because chopping the roof off tends to undermine overall stiffness, they aren’t the best choice for performance driving. But they certainly are fun, day or night. In the month or so, I’ve got my kicks in the BMW M850i, the BMW Z4, and most recently the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic Cabriolet.
Three rather varied ragtops, actually. The M850 was a beast, the Z4 was an uber-roadster, while the C 300 Cabrio was the perfect compromise.
All three were soft-top convertibles, which could signal a trend. I’ve driven quite a few hardtop cabrios, and while they do allow a convertible to perform double-duty as a quasi-coupé, they aren’t really in the ragtop spirit. Soft-tops are, importantly, quicker to stow than retractable hardtops, and also lighter and simpler, which means more boot space (that is where the top typically ends up when folded down).
In many ways, the convertible is the purest expression of what the automobile is supposed to be about: blissful, directionless driving on a sun-drenched day with the landscape whizzing by and the wind in your hair. When considered in its essence, you want to experience this in a two-seater. But for a little more practicality, there is also the two-plus-two, with two nominal extra saddles thrown in.
That is the C 300, which as-tested came with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The base price was US$53,850, but a lengthy options list added thousands, topping out at US$70,725.
Worth it? Read on to find out.
The 2019 Mercedes C 300 4Matic Cabriolet landed in my driveway wearing a chic “Iridium Silver Metallic” paint job (US$720 extra.)
Convertibles should have soft tops and look good with them up. The C 300 gets everything right on this front. I also like the jazzy character lines, and although the rear end of the car is certainly stubby, the overall package is small, so the effect isn’t so bad.
