Mercedes-Benz C-Class All-Terrain | Adult Dream
You've seen a fair amount of C-Class models being reviewed here, but you haven't seen this Mercedes-Benz C 220 d All-Terrain pass by. A flavor of C-Class that housed two premieres in fact.
I'll admit it right away: I'm a sucker for wagons that get turned into semi-capable 4x4 models. So when the Mercedes-Benz C 220 d All-Terrain made its debut, I was the first on our team to claim the rights to test it. And oddly I remained the only one. The rest of the crew simply had very little interest. Why? Because they have yet to turn 30 (Kenny only likes convertibles as he's already in a mid-life crisis), the age where practicality has embedded itself so deep in the soul that you confuse it for emotions. Over the past three years, I've grown fonder and fonder of this rugged automotive segment, one where the end paved roads usher in new adventures. Mercedes-Benz has never before ventured here with the C-Class but I welcome it with open arms.
So if you paid attention, you've spotted the first premiere here: the C-Class's first All-Terrain version. The second? That's the diesel engine, a 4-cylinder that will most likely never get a successor. A shame but let's not head in that direction. No, back to what counts: this C-Class All-Terrain. What is it you might ask? In essence, it is a heightened version of the C-Class Estate that gets a unique 4MATIC system, a rugged bumper kit, matching badges, and unique infotainment. I repeat: it only comes in the glorious form of a wagon. Mercedes-Benz knows what audience they're targeting here, those people above thirty that mistake practicality for an emotion.
Even deeper into the wild
No, I lied. We're heading deeper into the numbers for a bit here. So hold on while we run through the dullest, numerical part of the review. In terms of millimeters, there's quite a lot to talk about with the C-Class All-Terrain. Due to the beefy bumper set, there are 21 millimeters of extra width and there are 4 millimeters more lengthwise. The last tiny change making a big difference here is the earlier mentioned raised height which now comes in at 1494 millimeters. The latter is triggered by an increased ground clearance of 40 millimeters. The last number (I promise) you'll have to digest in this paragraph is one about the weight increase of the standard C-Class Estate: around 35 kilograms is added to the scale.
Just heightening the car and stopping there doesn't work, so Mercedes-Benz poured some additional development sauce over the beefy C. This version is equipped with a unique comfort suspension with a passive damping system, which comes as standard. There are also slightly larger steering knuckles up front and a multi-link suspension mounted on a rear axle carrier that is mounted on the hind axle (duh). Mercedes-Benz claims a " "balanced ride comfort" and "high driving stability" flow from these improvements, and I can give them exactly that. The composure at higher speeds in corners is downright impressive.
Adding to the sense of control, but at lower speeds and often the beaten path, are the two added drive modes: OFFROAD and OFFROAD+. The latter allows for controlled downhill speeds but both of them hone the parameters of the All-Terrain to keep you and the car moving when driving over sand or mud. MBUX adds even more sense of control by showing the car's various angles, and these values are also offered by the HUD. All are uniquely made for the All-Terrain versions of the C-Class. And again, these truly add to the car rather than just being a gimmick slapped onto an existing model.
All hail the new 220 d!
Back to the realm of pragmatism and this time round the C 220 d engine is the center of it all. All-new, this diesel engine offers exactly what people above thirty years old want in a car like this: huge range (1200 km on a full fuel tank, the one with increased capacity) and an abundance of torque. The latter comes in at 440 Nm and can benefit from 200 additional Newtonmeters from the starter-generator. So yes, this is a mild-hybrid setup. But don't even think the car feels slow, it can hit a hundred in well under 8 seconds and also feels very eager to pick up when on the move. The whole drivetrain feels surprisingly smooth, falling in line with that is the low consumption figure I managed to achieve. Adult me was very satisfied with 4.8l/100km during the full 800 kilometers I drove that week. For me, this 220 d is the perfect match to this All-Terrain pinnacle of pragmatism. It's powerful enough, eager enough, and very fuel efficient. Perfect.
Adult dream
Logically when you see words like those in the header of this paragraph, you have dirty thoughts. The only dirt I'm referring to here is the one you have to wash off the plastic wheel arches of the C-Class All-Terrain. And the adult part? Unless you're blind, you'll have noticed how I place this version of the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class on a pedestal. I put it there because the way it seduces potential buyers, the pragmatists, is simply brilliant. For those who don't get this All-Terrain concept, the car will undoubtedly look like an overkill. For those who get it, this car is everything their aging soul could wish for. And Mercedes-Benz knows them so well, that they only offer the AVANTGARDE package on the All-Terrain. No AMG, nothing of that childish sort here.
Falling in line with the rest of the C-Class models on offer, quality is present throughout the car. But the All-Terrain gets more love with its unique appearance, unique drivetrain, and unique suspension setup. It adds up to a high-quality package and Mercedes-Benz priced the car accordingly, it starting at € 59.665 (BE).
