Compare the2023 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2023 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

The Volkswagen Arteon has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Arteon’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Arteon has standard rear cross-path warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Mercedes charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Alert on the C-Class Sedan.

Both the Arteon and the C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Arteon’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Arteon for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Arteon’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Arteon’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the C-Class Sedan’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Arteon’s reliability 20 points higher than the C-Class Sedan.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 1 place higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Arteon uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Arteon offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Arteon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

The Arteon stops much shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

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

The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-Class Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon SEL/SEL Premium has standard 20-inch wheels. The C-Class Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Arteon has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the C-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Arteon has a standard 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.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Arteon a Large car, while the C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The Arteon has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (96.5 vs. 93).

The Arteon has .5 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 4.2 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Sedan.

The Arteon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

The Arteon SEL Premium has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Arteon has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Arteon, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes C-Class Sedan isn't recommended.