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Compare the2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe VS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

Safety

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

Warranty

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Engine

The 430i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 127 more horsepower (382 vs. 255) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 430i Gran Coupe 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder RWD gets better fuel mileage than the C 300 Sedan RWD (25 city/34 hwy vs. 23 city/35 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the C-Class Sedan have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 4 Series Gran Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Environmental Friendliness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mercedes C-Class Sedan is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Transmission

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-Class Sedan’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan.

Suspension and Handling

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is .9 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.8% to 50.2%) than the C-Class Sedan’s (53% to 47%). This gives the 4 Series Gran Coupe more stable handling and braking.

Passenger Space

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.5 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more front legroom than the C-Class Sedan.

Model Availability

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes C-Class isn’t available as a .