Verdict
The Volvo S60 costs RM10,348 less yet brings 320 hp, 400 Nm and all-wheel drive, cutting the 0-100 km/h run to 4.4 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s 7.3 seconds. Its 11.6-kWh plug-in hybrid battery also gives a quoted 49 km EV range, useful for short charged commutes, while road tax is RM365 versus RM90. The C-Class counters with a 455-litre boot, 40:20:40 rear seat and 64-colour ambient lighting, but the Volvo is the stronger buy for buyers able to charge regularly.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you value its 455-litre boot, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat and lower RM90 annual road tax.
S60
Pick the Volvo S60 if you can charge at home or work and want 320 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 49 km EV range for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888; Volvo S60 RM282,540.
- Performance: C-Class 201 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; S60 320 hp, 400 Nm and 4.4 seconds.
- Hybrid system: C-Class has one 20-hp, 200-Nm motor with no stated battery or EV range; S60 has one 87-hp, 240-Nm motor, an 11.6-kWh battery and 49 km EV range.
- Driveline: C-Class rear-wheel drive; S60 all-wheel drive.
- Running figures: C-Class is rated at 6.6 L/100 km, 151 g/km CO2 and RM90 annual road tax; S60 at 2 L/100 km, 46 g/km and RM365.
- Practicality: C-Class has a 455-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat; S60 has a 442-litre boot with no split-folding rear seat listed.
C-Class
- 455-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- RM90 annual road tax.
- Powered hands-free boot and 64-colour ambient lighting.
- 201 hp and 300 Nm trail the S60's 320 hp and 400 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No stated EV range or battery capacity, unlike the S60's 49 km plug-in capability.
S60
- 320 hp, 400 Nm and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 11.6-kWh battery with 49 km EV range and 3.7 kW AC charging.
- Panoramic sunroof, head-up display and 14-speaker 600 W Harman Kardon audio.
- RM365 annual road tax is RM275 higher.
- 442-litre boot is 13 litres smaller and no split-folding rear seat is listed.
- At 2,041 kg, it is 391 kg heavier than the C-Class.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM292,888 | RM282,540✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM365 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 320 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 78 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | 87 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | 240 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 49 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.6 L/100 km | 2 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 246 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 151 g/km | 46 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,820 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,437 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,650 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 455 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 4 Front USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 9" Sensus Connect with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon Premium Sound with 14 Speakers (600 W) |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
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 & S60 for sale
C-Class vs S60 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Volvo S60 better?
The Volvo S60 is the better performance and plug-in hybrid choice: it has 320 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 49 km EV range. Choose the Mercedes-Benz C-Class for its larger 455-litre boot, split-folding rear seat and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S60 costs RM282,540 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM292,888, so the Volvo is RM10,348 cheaper.
Which is quicker, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Volvo S60?
The Volvo S60 is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class takes 7.3 seconds, a difference of 2.9 seconds.