2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe and Convertible Review: Bigger Isn't Always Better

As far as small sports cars go, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 coupe and convertible remain excellent choices for those who enjoy a comfortable and stylish drive with enough power on tap to raise the hear rate jus a tad. With a potent twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood, the AMG C43 coupe and convertible get 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque to play with, which is more than either the Audi S5 or the BMW M440i bring to the table. Mercedes' renowned 4Matic all-wheel drivetrain puts the power down to the road in a controlled manner that inspires confidence in even beginner drivers. Of course, you get traditional Merc luxuries inside, which gives it even more of an edge. While a closer look is definitely warranted, there is a good chance that the 2023 AMG C 43 is the best small performance two-door in the segment.

New for 2023

The new Mercedes-AMG C43 coupe and convertible enter the 2023 model year without any changes. However, a sedan variant has been added to the lineup for the new year.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Price: Which One to Buy

Even though it may be the entry point to the AMG lineup, the price of the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 is still quite daunting. The coupe will set you back $62,600, while the convertible costs $69,250 MSRP. The $1,150 destination charge is not included in these figures.

Features-wise, there is no real difference between the coupe and the convertible, with the drop-top being the big drawcard in the cabriolet. You do have to spend an extra $6k for the drop-top, and it asks for some sacrifices in trunk space that make it difficult to live with unless there are only two of you to ferry around. It's also worth remembering that neither car comes with the best driver-assistance features, which are locked behind the package paywall. For these reasons, we'd probably stick with the coupe, especially since it has the added benefit of more solid handling.

Interior and Features

While rear-seat passengers may bemoan the lack of space, the C43 is very comfortable for the driver and their plus one, creating an almost cockpit-like experience.

Mercedes doesn't know how to make a bad interior, and while it may be the cheapest AMG on the market, it is still very classy and boasts sumptuous materials used throughout. There is plenty of space for even taller adults in the front, and the controls are arranged in an ergonomic manner. We do wish the infotainment system were a little easier to operate, but it's not the worst one on the market. Build quality is naturally excellent, and you'll struggle to find any hard or unpleasant surfaces. Dropping the top on the AMG C43 Convertible will open up unlimited headroom and create a lovely leisurely, relaxed ambiance.

Space

Neither the coupe nor convertible body style is particularly well-suited to family living, so if you have a growing family, you'll have to look elsewhere. There is plenty of head- and legroom in the front for even tall adults, and while it can be a bit tricky to get inside due to the low roof, wide-opening doors help counteract this. The second-row seats are a less pleasant place to spend time as legroom is quite tight, and the sloping roof in the coupe cuts away loads of headroom. There is more interior space if you opt for the drop-top, at least if you keep the roof down, but it does nothing for legroom. Power front seats are standard, and they come with a heating function. AMG performance front seats are available for $2,500.

Cargo

Sports cars don't generally give you a lot of room for cargo, but the C43 coupe still offers 10.5 cubic feet. The rear seats can also be folded down in 40/20/40 split to free up some more space for larger items. Convertibles generally sacrifice half of their cargo space in order to make room for the roof, but the Mercedes C43 Cabrio still has 8.8 cu-ft on offer, which isn't too bad. It also has folding rear seats.

Around the cabin, there are a few spots to store smaller items, including a pair of cupholders in the front and a storage cubby in the center console. The door pockets are quite small, but the glove compartment is spacious.

Materials and Colors

The standard upholstery is MB-Tex synthetic leather/microfiber and your only choice of colors is Black with Red stitching. Luckily, you can upgrade to genuine leather for $1,620 and this opens up a lot more interior colors. These include Black with or without Red stitching, as well as Saddle Brown, Porcelain, and Cranberry Red, all paired with Black sub-tones.

Almost all the veneers are free of charge, including, Dark Brown Linden, Natural Grain Grey Oak, Natural Grain Black Ash, and Natural Grain Walnut woods, with the last two including some aluminum bits. AMG carbon fiber will set you back $975, though.

Features and Infotainment

Even an entry-level Mercedes is well equipped, and the new AMG C43 Cabrio and Coupe both come with dual-zone climate control, 14-way power front sport seats with heating, a 64-color ambient lighting system, keyless entry, and push-button start. In the case of the coupe, you also get a panoramic sunroof.

A 12.3-inch digital display keeps you informed of vehicle operations, while a 10.25-inch touchscreen lets you access the infotainment, which includes features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. This comes paired with a 13-speaker Burmester sound system. There are only a few options on offer, such as a wireless charger, navigation, and a head-up display.

Performance

The coupe is a smidge quicker and handles more nimbly, while the convertible cruises effortlessly akin to a grand tourer.

The Mercedes-AMG C43 comes equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine that makes 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. This is regulated by a slick-shifting nine-speed automatic, which directs outputs to a 4Matic AWD system. The AMG C43 Coupe will go from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while the slightly heavier convertible takes 0.1 seconds longer to get there. Both cars are electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph, though 165 mph is possible with the AMG Driver's Package.

Though it may not have as much raw power as the C63, the C43 is still a dream to drive. The suspension is not quite as stiff, so you get a bit more comfort when cruising around, but put your foot down, and the car feels taut and confident. You'll feel the bumps a little, but the car never loses its footing, thanks to the standard AWD. And with an engaging suspension setup, you get a fair amount of feedback. Steering is sharp and responsive, which helps to counteract the car's weight, while strong brakes ensure you are always in full control and come to a stop when you need to.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas mileage is usually where performance cars drop the ball, and it is often a hidden cost that many buyers don't think of. Luckily, the C43 is far from the worst offender, though it could still be better. The Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe gets 18/27/21 mpg across the city/highway combined cyces, while the convertible manages 18/28/22 mpg.

Both models have the same fuel capacity of 17.4 gallons, so you can expect a maximum driving range of between 365 and 383 miles.

Safety

The regular C-Class sedan is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award winner, and this safety review carries over to the AMG C43 coupe and covnertible.

Sadly, no official safety review of the Mercedes-AMG C43 coupe and convertible exists as most sports cars shy away from crash testing. The regular C-Class sedan earned top marks, however, and even got a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

Standard safety tech includes six airbags, ABS, and stability control, along with a rearview camera, active brake assist, attention assist, and blind-spot monitoring. A lot more systems can be found in the options list, such as a surround-view camera, rear cross-traffic alert, active distance assist, active steering assist, evasive steering assist, speed-limit assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-change assist, Pre-Safe plus, and congestion emergency braking. There is also active parking assist, which comes with Parktronic.

Reliability

Though JD Power has no reliability rating for the AMG C43, the regular C-Class managed 79 out of 100 overall in 2022, with quality and reliability getting 81/100. Sadly, there have been three recalls for the 2023 model, including for an electric wiring harness problem and issues with the fuel pump shutting down. There were also five recalls for 2022 and seven for 2021, so at least there seems to be an improvement over time.

Every new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 gets a standard warranty that is valid for four years/50,000 miles.

Warranty

Design

Mercs have always been among the most stylish cars on the road, and even when they are built to go fast, they retain an air of sophistication. The two-door coupe and convertible variants of the AMG C43 are quite fetching, with full LED lighting up front, including sleek daytime running lights along the inner edge of the headlights. The grille comes with a mesh design and twin horizontal bars intersected by the Tri-Star logo. From the outer edge of the headlights, there is a groove that runs the full length of the car's profile, ending at the LED taillights.

The rear end has a small spoiler on the trunk lid, and there are quad exhaust outlets. As standard, the sports executive rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, but various 19-inch designs are on offer. The coupe gets a power-operated panoramic sunroof, while the convertible boasts an electronically retracted soft-top roof available in black, blue, or red fabric.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe A Good car?

Many high-performance cars are used as daily drivers in the USA, but while many take the form of muscular cars or sedans, some buyers are a little more discerning. For these people, the Mercedes-AMG C43 should definitely be on their shortlist. It costs about as much as a top-tier Ford Mustang, but in return, you get a potent and refined V6 engine and excellent handling - an entry point to the six-figure speedster segment. It's not the quickest, but few people will ever feel the need to push it to its limits. Yes, the BMW M440i is quicker and a little cheaper, but it doesn't feel as special, particularly on the inside. That being said, we do have our gripes with the C43, such as a small cargo hold and a finicky infotainment system, but these are easily overlooked when you focus on the big picture. Unless you have made a blood oath to BMW, you should consider the AMG C 43 as a solid alternative.