Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the rational entry point at RM292,888: it is RM446,000 cheaper, uses only RM90 a year in road tax and carries 455 litres of luggage. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class justifies its very different brief with 362 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time, against 201 hp, 300 Nm and 7.3 seconds. Its 28.6-kWh battery also brings a 100-km EV range, but annual road tax rises to RM2,128. For Malaysian buyers who need rear-seat luxury and charging access, the S-Class is in another league; for a manageable executive sedan, take the C-Class.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if RM292,888, RM90 annual road tax and its larger 455-litre boot matter more than rear-seat indulgence.
S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if you want 362 hp, a 100-km EV range and limousine-grade rear-seat equipment despite the RM738,888 price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888; Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM738,888.
- Performance: C-Class 201 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; S-Class 362 hp, 500 Nm and 5.2 seconds.
- Electrified driving: C-Class has no stated battery capacity or EV range; S-Class has a 28.6-kWh battery and 100-km EV range.
- Road tax: C-Class RM90 per year; S-Class RM2,128 per year.
- Size: C-Class is 4,751 mm long with a 2,865-mm wheelbase; S-Class is 5,289 mm long with a 3,216-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: C-Class 455 litres; S-Class 350 litres.
C-Class
- RM446,000 less to buy.
- 455-litre boot beats the S-Class by 105 litres.
- 1,650 kg kerb weight is 735 kg lower.
- 201 hp and 300 Nm trail the S-Class's 362 hp and 500 Nm.
- No stated EV range or battery capacity, unlike the S-Class's 100-km plug-in capability.
- Rear seats only split-fold; it lacks the S-Class's power adjustment, ventilation and massage.
S-Class
- 100-km rated EV range from a 28.6-kWh battery.
- 362 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- Air suspension and extensively equipped rear seats, including heating, ventilation and massage.
- RM738,888 costs RM446,000 more than the C-Class.
- RM2,128 annual road tax is RM2,038 higher.
- 350-litre boot is 105 litres smaller than the C-Class's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM292,888✓ | RM738,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM2,128 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 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 at 5,800 rpm | 362 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 500 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 78 mm × 78.3 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | 147 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 28.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 100 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| 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 | 6.6 L/100 km | 1 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 246 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 151 g/km | 22 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 1,820 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,437 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 | 225/45R18 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control Suspension | Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 14 (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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) | 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 | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto 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 Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 4 Front USB-C | 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 | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 11.4" 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, with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | 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 | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner | 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 |
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?
The S-Class is better for performance, electric running and rear-seat comfort, with 362 hp, 100 km of EV range and air suspension. The C-Class is the better financial choice at RM292,888 with RM90 annual road tax and a 455-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs RM738,888, which is RM446,000 more than the RM292,888 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Can the Mercedes-Benz S-Class be driven on electric power?
Yes. The S-Class plug-in hybrid has a 28.6-kWh battery, a stated 100-km EV range, 11-kW AC charging and 60-kW DC charging. It also carries an eight-year or 160,000-km battery warranty.
