Verdict
The C-Class is the sane driver’s sedan here: RM292,888, 201 hp, 300 Nm and 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h, with a bigger 455-litre boot than the S-Class. The S-Class at RM738,888 is a different buy, using 362 hp, 500 Nm, a 147 hp motor, 28.6 kWh battery and 100 km EV range to justify limousine money. It is 538 mm longer, has a 351 mm longer wheelbase and far richer rear-seat kit, but its 350-litre boot and RM2,128 road tax sting.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want the lower buy-in, RM90 road tax, larger boot and still get a 9G-Tronic rear-drive sedan.
S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if rear-seat comfort, 100 km EV range, air suspension and the stronger 362 hp/500 Nm powertrain matter more than price and boot space.
Key differences
- Price: C-Class RM292,888; S-Class RM738,888
- Engine output: C-Class 201 hp/300 Nm; S-Class 362 hp/500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: C-Class 7.3 seconds; S-Class 5.2 seconds
- Battery and EV range: C-Class 1 kWh/no EV range quoted; S-Class 28.6 kWh/100 km
- Wheelbase: C-Class 2,865 mm; S-Class 3,216 mm
- Boot space: C-Class 455 litres; S-Class 350 litres
C-Class
- RM446,000 cheaper to buy
- Bigger 455-litre boot
- Much lower RM90 annual road tax
- Slower, at 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h versus 5.2 seconds
- No quoted EV range or plug-in charging; the S-Class gets 100 km, 11 kW AC and 60 kW DC
- Less rear-seat kit, with no power-adjustable outer rear seats, massage or ottoman
S-Class
- Stronger 362 hp and 500 Nm petrol engine, plus a 147 hp motor
- 100 km EV range from a 28.6 kWh battery
- Air suspension and much richer rear-seat equipment
- Costs RM446,000 more
- Smaller 350-litre boot
- RM2,128 annual road tax versus RM90
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 292,888✓ | RM 738,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist | 24-valve DOHC with Electric Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 362 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 78 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | 147 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | 28.6 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 100 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 246 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 22 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 2,033 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,438 mm | 1,503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 3,216 mm |
| Weight | 1,650 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 455 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control Suspension with Selective Damping System | Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Rear Passengers, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Left Cushion |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point with Illumination and Rear Belt Bags |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Outer Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Folding Rear Pillow Headrests with Built-in Neck Warmers; Powered Ottoman and Leg Rest for Left Seat with Massage Function; Centre Load-through |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 4 Front USB-C, 6 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 11" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System (710 Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Stop and Go and Speed Limit Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front and Rear Qi Wireless Chargers, Rear Wireless Headsets |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 2,128 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used C-Class & S-Class for sale
C-Class vs S-Class FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Mercedes-Benz S-Class better?
For most owner-drivers, the C-Class is the better buy because it is RM446,000 cheaper and has more boot space. The S-Class is better if you sit in the back, want 100 km EV range and need the stronger 362 hp/500 Nm drivetrain.
What is the price difference?
The S-Class costs RM446,000 more: RM738,888 versus RM292,888.
Which is better for chauffeur use in Malaysia?
The S-Class. Its 3,216 mm wheelbase beats the C-Class’ 2,865 mm, and it adds power-adjustable outer rear seats with heating, ventilation, massage, one-touch recline, ottoman and leg rest for the left seat.