2017 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Cabriolet review

Mercedes-Benz dealerships must be running out of floor space to house every model in the ever-expanding range, and this C 200 cabriolet is yet another variant of the C-Class line.

The convertible roof does its thing in around 12sec, but the speed of the operation is not so much of an issue given you can operate the roof remotely via the key fob. You can also whip the top off on the move at speeds up to 50km/h which helps make this convertible a little more convenient. Making top-down life less windswept is Merc’s Air Cap system which consists of a wind deflector that pops up at the top of the screen and another which rises from behind the rear seats to better shield the cabin from buffeting at speed. Once you’re back to cruising, all four windows can be dropped via one handy button. It’s all about making convertible living easy with the C.

Local buyers would be wise to option the $1900 warmth comfort pack. If there are fine skies but it’s a little chilly the heated seats will keep the buns toasty while the Air Scarf will breeze warmth around your neck via the outlets in the seat headrest. Rounding off a convincing convertible package, the hood is well insulated, muffling much of outside world’s din. Helping alleviate top-up rearward vision problems is a standard-fit 360 degree surround view camera.

Top-down progress is largely free from any shake and shimmy in the cabin, but the ride is firm as they’ve specified sports suspension as standard. The 2.0-litre turbo hauls the C 200 around well as it’s quite strong through the 1500-4000rpm zone, making it ably suited to 90 per cent of driving. Up the pace and that urge starts to diminish past 4500rpm but we feel that for the C 200 buyer, the performance will suffice. For those who might want more there’s a brace of AMGs to choose from, starting with the $135,900, 270kW/520Nm C 43 to the raving $190k, 375kW/700Nm C 63.

As for dynamics, it’s much like the regular C, competent up to about 80 per cent effort, but then it feels a bit too much like hard work. Look to the AMG gear for a more sporting drive, or a drop top BMW 4 Series.

It’s the usual C-Class fare inside too with good safety equipment levels. While you miss out on active cruise and lane keeping, it has AEB and nine airbags, including side bags for rear passengers and head bags that pop out of the doors. There’s a head-up display which is rendered useless if you wear polarised sunglasses, and the C 200 doesn’t get a smart key.

It’s the usual C-Class fare inside too with good safety equipment levels. While you miss out on active cruise and lane keeping, it has AEB and nine airbags, including side bags for rear passengers and head bags that pop out of the doors. There’s a head-up display which is rendered useless if you wear polarised sunglasses, and the C 200 doesn’t get a smart key.

It’s a genuine four seater, well as long as you don’t expect limo-like rear leg room, but you’ll fit a quartet easily enough. Like most converts, boot space is limited when the top is folded but the hold is of reasonable use when the roof is in place.

The C 200 Cabriolet is a well executed convertible, but perhaps its best feature is that people think it is more expensive than its $90k price tag.