DecodedCars2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl, 2.6L 6-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 21 for similar models.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact car offered with 4 engines (1.8L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl, 2.6L 6-cyl and 5.4L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 29 highway), 3% better than the 2005 compact car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C230 Kompressor | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 370 |
| C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 370 |
| C230 Kompressor | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -1% | $3,550 | 386 |
| C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | -1% | $3,550 | 386 |
| C320 4matic | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -14% | $4,100 | 444 |
| C240 FFV FFV | 2.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | -14% | $4,100 | 444 |
| C320 FFV FFV | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -14% | $4,100 | 444 |
| C240 FFV (Wagon) FFV | 2.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 444 |
| C240 4matic | 2.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -18% | $4,350 | 468 |
| C320 | 3.2L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $4,350 | 468 |
| C240 4matic (Wagon) | 2.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | -16% | $4,350 | 468 |
| C320 Sports Coupe FFV FFV | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | -18% | $4,350 | 468 |
| C320 Sports Coupe | 3.2L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -23% | $4,550 | 494 |
| C55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -31% | $5,150 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Lexus IS | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Audi A4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Volvo S60 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Infiniti G35 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Volvo S40 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Jaguar X-Type | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other C-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 C-Class | 29 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 C-Class | 29 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 C-Class | 29 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 C-Class | 30 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 C-Class | 29 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 C-Class | 29 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 C-Class | 27 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 C-Class | 28 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 C-Class | 27 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 C-Class | 30 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 C-Class | 30 | 187 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 C-Class | 30 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →