Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet interior
The C-Class Cabriolet’s interior feels slightly more special than you’ll find in most alternatives, but some tech – including the flashy digital driver’s display – costs extra
Style
The Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet comes with a seriously stylish interior complete with S-Class-style metal air vents, brushed aluminium trim and cool metal switches for the heating and ventilation controls.
Even the standard electric seat adjustment buttons get a pleasingly cold-to-the-touch metal finish, and you can upgrade the standard black centre console trim to an eye-catching unpolished wood item that’s unlike anything you’ll find in the 4 Series Convertible or A5 Cabriolet.
If you fancy something sportier, the optional Carbon Pack brings with it some (you guessed it) carbon fibre trim on the centre console. This pack comes as standard in top-spec C43 models, along with an analogue clock for the dashboard. Another feature you might be tempted to pay extra for is the optional Burmester stereo. It doesn’t just sound great, it comes with some seriously intricate laser-etched speaker grilles on the doors that look fantastic.
Unfortunately, the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet’s interior isn’t without fault. No matter which model you go for, you don’t get leather seats as standard – instead it comes fitted with what Mercedes calls Artico faux leather upholstery. Thankfully, it’s pretty convincing, so your passengers might never guess that they aren’t sitting on the real deal.
The new infotainment system is a huge improvement over the old model’s titchy screen, but you still have Merc’s frustrating touchpad on the centre console
- Cash
- £42,124
- Monthly
- £602*
- Used
- £35,499
Infotainment
As standard, the C-Class Cabriolet comes with a 10.3-inch infotainment display which is a marked improvement over the old car’s 8.4-inch screen. It’s easier to read and comes with brighter, sharper menus, but still can’t quite match the crisper displays you get in the Audi A5 Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Convertible.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite as intuitive to use as the systems you get in these cars. There’s a helpful row of physical shortcut buttons on the centre console, but the rotary dial you use to scroll through the menus is partially hidden under a large, bulky, uncomfortable touchpad down on the centre console.
Thankfully, the Mercedes’ fairly attentive voice control features let you bypass some of the system’s less logical menus to quickly make a phone call or enter a destination into the standard sat nav.
Go for a range-topping C43 car – or pay extra for the Premium Equipment Line pack – and you get a second 12.3-inch display that replaces conventional analogue dials. Using neat touchpads on the steering wheel (instead of the old car’s unsightly plastic buttons) you can configure this screen to show a combination of readouts, from upcoming sat-nav directions to which song is currently playing the stereo.
Speaking of stereos, this upgraded equipment pack also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring so you can play music from apps such as Spotify through the C-Class Cabriolet’s built-in speakers.
If you’re seriously into your music, you should consider upgrading to the optional 590W Burmester stereo. It’s a serious improvement over the standard setup, but it’s only available as part of the rather expensive Premium Plus pack.
- Cash
- £42,124
- Monthly
- £602*
- Used
- £35,499
Build your own C-Class Cabriolet on carwow
Save on average £1,848 off RRP
*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.