2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan Review
The C-Class is Mercedes-AMG's most successful series of vehicles from the entire Mercedes range, with the iconic C63 having pioneered performance for AMG since before it became a wholly-owned Daimler subsidiary. But the C43 isn't a real AMG, not according to the fanboys and keyboard warriors who'll gladly tell you that there's no one-man, one-engine philosophy for the V6-powered, all-wheel-drive equipped AMG C-Class. However with two turbochargers strapped to the 3.0-liter V6, and outputs of 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, the fiery sports sedan may prove doubters wrong yet. Rivaling the Audi S4, the AMG C43 Sedan sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. But the C43 isn't just about performance, it's also about class. It is appointed with an impressive range of standard features and its distinguished interior is complemented by contemporary tech and design. Can a classy, all-wheel-drive Mercedes really cut the mustard as a bona fide AMG?
What's the Price of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan?
The 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan carries a starting MSRP of $55,250 excluding Mercedes' transportation and handling charges of $995, taxes, registration, licensing and optional extras, which can quickly drive the price up by ten or twenty thousand dollars. Individual dealers may offer dealer-specific incentives and eccentric pricing structures.
2019 AMG C43 Sedan Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185.0 in | 111.8 in | 56.3 in | 71.3 in | 63.1 in | 61.3 in | 3,825.0 lbs |
2019 AMG C43 Sedan Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The AMG Ride Control Sport Suspension with three-stage adaptive suspension damping is performance-tuned, befitting a model endowed with an AMG badge. As such, the ride is firm, perhaps a little too firm, but remains stable when pursuing a series of high-speed twists and turns. Things can be slackened off, however, resulting in a decent balance between luxury and sport.
Handling wise, AMG models have never been renowned for their precision, but the C43 is a different breed relying less on the sledgehammer and more on the scalpel to get the most out of every road. There's a deftness to it and a lightness on its feet, aided by the rear-biased 4MATIC system and the reduced weight of a V6 over the front axle instead of a burly V8. Turn-in is sharp, and body-roll kept to a minimum, while on-the-go responses are equally as sharp. However, the steering isn't tremendously feelsome, although the demi-AMG leaves BMW for dead in this regard.
The Mercedes-AMG C43 isn't the sharpest handler in its segment, and the Jaguar XE S still caters to higher levels of driver enjoyment, but the Merc feels more enthralling than any Audi offering at this level, and until such time as we see the new M340i xDrive on the road, BMW doesn't have anything to rival the AMG C43 in the dynamics stakes.
2019 AMG C43 Sedan Interior
2019 AMG C43 Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan A Good car?
Relative to core class rivals, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan is a more than adequate mid-size luxury vehicle. It will cost prospective buyers slightly more while offering comparable performance. Where the AMG C43 Sedan shines is in its highly immaculate cabin design and high-quality appointments along with its ability to pair luxury with performance in any circumstance due to the fitment of all-wheel -drive. However, the ride is harsher than it should be for a mid-level performance sedan, and there isn't enough involvement to justify the harshness.
The technology featured in the AMG C43 is decent, but no touchscreen and a complicated interface and distracting optional touchpad controller make it less user-friendly and intuitive to that of the more modern MBUX infotainment system found in the latest offerings from the German manufacturer. The verdict is that the AMG C43 is a great car, but core rivals simply offer better performance at a lower price, and the V6 doesn't give AMG-lovers a thundering soundtrack to distract them from the C43's shortcomings.
What Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan Model Should I Buy?
The AMG C43 is the standalone mid-range performance model from the C-Class line-up and represents the entry point of the AMG-badged C-Class. For those that want more than a base C, but don't need a full-fat C63, the C43 is ideal. However, in order to get the most of the C43's binary performance/luxury character, we suggest adding the optional Multimedia Package for the advanced tech controls and added capabilities, and the Driver Assistance Package for the substantial addition of favorable advanced driver assist features. The total cost of the AMG C43 with the addition of the stated optional packages should come to around $59,350.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan Comparisons
2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan vs Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan
At $11,750 more than the AMG C43 Sedan, the AMG C63 Sedan offers the same level of luxury and convenience features, but substantially more performance and handling capability as a full-fat AMG variant. This AMG model is armed with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that blasts out 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels alone. With this setup, the C63 reaches the 60 mph mark quicker than the C43 by around 0.6 seconds, breaching into the three-second territory. In the real world, the additional power is hardly usable, however, the thrill of the V8 is noticeably absent in the C43, not just because of the more subdued soundtrack but because it lacks the dramatic thump in the kidneys if you pull away from a traffic light viciously. While the C43 is a performance bargain, usable in real-world conditions with all-wheel-drive, the C63 is more emotive, and for those who actively pursue track day thrills, is the better choice, despite the additional cost.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan vs Audi S4 Sedan
The 2019 Audi S4 carries a starting MSRP of around $5,000 less than the C43, and at that price point offers marginally better performance as far as outright numbers are concerned. Equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing lower outputs of 349 hp and 369 lb-ft, the S4 still manages to reach the 60 mph mark marginally quicker than the AMG C43, showing Audi know how to get the most out of an all-wheel-drive system. Along with these performance advantages, the S4 also manages to not comprise on luxury and standard vehicle features. The technologies in the S4 are far more intuitive than the C43's and are just as capable. As standard, it features tri-zone automatic climate control and front seats with heating and massage function. The trunk capacity in the S4 is slightly larger at 13 cubic feet, but legroom in the rear seats are similarly as limited as in the AMG C43. Overall, the Audi S4 seems to offer greater value for money and superior performance at that, which is why the S4 takes the objective win.