The ultimate review of Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4L, which one is best for you?

Medium-sized family sedans of luxury brands are a very good choice for most families who have entered the middle class. Among luxury brands, "sports", "technology" and "luxury" are generally consumer The three dimensions that buyers value most when choosing a car. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi from Germany, as leaders in mid-level luxury cars, have always been the most sought after by consumers.

Among them, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4L are representative models. Since the three models have their own characteristics and their own special skills, this also leads to consumers choosing It’s hard to make a choice. After all, the price is more than 300,000 yuan, which is not a small sum of money, so it’s better to shop around and make a good choice. So today we will compare them from multiple angles to see which model is best for you.

Appearance comparison

In terms of appearance, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class adopts Mercedes-Benz’s latest design language, and still provides two models, the standard version and the sports version. There are differences in all above. In contrast, the combination of Gypsophila’s center grille with enlarged logo is more popular among young consumers. The new style headlights are all LED light sources. The style of the front surround also provides two options according to the car model. The standing version adds more hollow mesh designs, while the sports version brings a stronger combat atmosphere through sharp component outlines. The shape of the headlights is very sharp, and the eagle-hook LED daytime running lights inside have a sense of design and also bring excellent recognition.

The side shape of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is smooth and slender. The parallel double waistline design enhances the layering of the side and also creates a sense of strength. In terms of body size, the length, width and height of the new car are 4882cm respectively. /1820/1456 (1461) mm, wheelbase 2954mm, entry model is equipped with 17-inch wheels, and other models are equipped with 18-inch wheels.

The rear of the car has a fuller visual effect. It adopts Mercedes-Benz’s latest triangular taillight design. The shape is very sharp, and the effect after lighting is also very cool. The shape of the rear surround echoes the front surround, and both sides* **The two exhaust decorative covers and diffuser elements also well show the sporty atmosphere of the vehicle, but this is just an appearance. In fact, the vehicle uses a single-sided single-outlet hidden exhaust layout, which lacks some momentum. .

In terms of appearance, the BMW 3 Series uses classic angel eye headlights, and the dual-barrel combination of high and low beams is covered by a more regular lampshade. The double-kidney grille does not blindly pursue a large opening, but stretches the width to make it look more sporty. At the same time, because the M sports package has now become standard equipment for the entire series, the structure and texture of the vehicle must be more three-dimensional; while the sports night package will complete all-black spraying including the grille, with a dot-matrix grille, The style of this sports car is indeed better than the other two in BBA.

In order to maintain the purity of sport, the BMW 3 Series is already the only model among the three BBA models that retains the standard wheelbase option. The standard wheelbase provides a length, width and height of 4728/1827/1452mm, and the wheelbase is 2851mm; while the long wheelbase provides a length, width and height of 4838/1827/1454mm, and the wheelbase is stretched to 2961mm, both above the head The gap in space is not big, but there will be a step-by-step difference of 1 punch in the legs of the rear row, and the former will be better to control.

The corners of the BMW 3 Series trunk door have a distinctly raised ducktail shape, which is the basic element of the sporty feel of the tail. The L-shaped taillights extend a certain length from the outer edge to both sides. The extended, slightly blackened light cavity is neatly arranged with "L" shaped light strips. At the same time, the more three-dimensional profile compared to the trunk surface increases the layering of the tail. The protruding rear bumper is added with a black guard plate. Covered, both sides are decorated with air ducts composed of vertical width indicators. The dual exhaust outlets and the diffuser guard shape also enhance the sporty atmosphere.

In terms of appearance, Audi A4L offers two sets of front face shapes. The dynamic grille has a black honeycomb structure. The fog lamp areas on both sides also adopt the same design style, showing a strong sporty atmosphere. .

The elegant center grid adopts a horizontal layout and has a stronger business atmosphere. From the perspective of young people, I think the dynamic front face style is more suitable for energetic young users. The shape of the light groups on both sides has a sense of technology. The daytime running lights are shaped like eyelashes, and the turn signals have a dynamic effect, full of a sense of technology. If there is a high demand for lighting, this car has a matrix headlights as an option.

In terms of side shape, the body design is elegant with a hint of dynamics. The waistline of the body is very straight, and a through-line design is used to extend the visual length. The upper edges of the windows are decorated with silver trim to make the car body look less monotonous. 18-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels are mounted below, and the blade-style wheel design shows the vehicle's fashionable atmosphere.

In terms of dimensions, the length, width and height of the Audi A4L are 4858/1847/1439mm respectively, and the wheelbase length is 2908mm. Compared with competing products of the same level, the size of the Audi A4L is relatively satisfactory.

The rear design of Di A4L is relatively full. The slightly raised duck tail design above the rear trunk highlights its sporty nature. The taillights on both sides are blackened and the interior adopts a dot matrix structure. The layout is highly recognizable when lit. The rear enclosure is equipped with a black decorative panel, and the dual-exhaust exhaust on both sides is matched with a flat tail throat, showing the sporty feel of the vehicle.

Interior Comparison

In terms of interior, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class adopts the family’s new design style, which is very close to the S-Class, so it is very good at creating a sense of luxury. The standard 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and 11.9-inch central control screen perfectly demonstrate Mercedes-Benz's latest "virtual cockpit" concept. The overall sense of technology is excellent, and the three-spoke steering wheel is very sporty and uses punched holes. Wrapped in genuine leather, it feels great to hold.

The 11.9-inch vertical screen looks quite impressive. The second-generation MBUX system has made a new upgrade in the layout and operation logic of the interactive interface. Not only is the display effect more delicate, but also higher. The blessing of computing power chips also makes the overall response faster. In addition to the complete basic functions and applications, the new car also adds CarPlay and Android Auto mobile phone mapping functions. The addition of the connected car ecosystem also makes the overall operating experience more convenient.

For a long time in the past, BMW's interior innovations have been relatively small, which has also made many consumers complain about not keeping up with the trend. However, in the new BMW 3 Series, a dual-joint The addition of the curved screen has completely changed the overly conservative and cold "industrial style" of the old models. Better interactivity and fewer physical buttons have significantly improved the sense of technology in the car. At the same time, many new features have been added to the center console. Made of chrome-plated materials and painted decorative panels, the Yaoye package also comes with carbon fiber textured decorative panels.

The BMW 3 Series has been replaced with brand-new software and hardware. The 12.3-inch LCD instrument and the 14.9-inch touch screen are more naturally integrated. The redesigned UI is more friendly in terms of functional layout and operation logic. , especially the support for more external applications, allowing it to directly use QQ Music, Himalaya and other applications in addition to CarPlay/CarLife mobile phone interaction, which has greatly improved the fun and convenience of use.

Although assisted driving can no longer help luxury brands widen the gap with new forces, the ability to track and reverse can already demonstrate some of BMW's technical advantages. And by assembling a complete auxiliary package, the vehicle can perform high-level operations including automatic parking, automatic lane changing, etc. under L2-level assisted driving. Among them, automatic parking will appear on mid-range vehicles. Unfortunately, if you want to achieve complete L2-level assisted driving, all models need to pay extra, which will inevitably increase the cost of car purchase.

Coming to the car, the interior layout is a classic Audi design style. The interior of the car is mainly black. The center console is covered with a silver decorative panel, which extends to the doors on both sides and the air-conditioning outlet. The wind adopts a through-type design. There is a 10.1-inch floating touch LCD screen in the middle, which is smooth to use and has high clarity.

The instrument panel is a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and supports multiple mode switching. The virtual cockpit is well done.

In terms of functional configuration, front/rear parking radar, reversing image, cruise control, automatic parking, panoramic sunroof, steering wheel paddle shifters, keyless start and other functions are all standard. To be honest, for a luxury mid-size car, these configurations are far from enough. Features such as keyless entry, 360° panoramic images, driving assistance systems, and B&O audio all need to be optional. , however these will lead to increased car purchase costs. If the car purchase budget is relatively sufficient, it is recommended to consider the luxury version, which has more comprehensive configurations and can better meet daily use needs.

Power comparison

In terms of power, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has launched a comprehensive electrification upgrade. All models use 1.5T power, and a 48V light hybrid system has been added, 125kW (170Ps ) and 150kW (204Ps), both power settings have smooth enough output performance with the assistance of the motor. The transmission part is matched with 9AT. More gears and dense gear ratios create a relaxed and smooth driving experience. The 48V system also optimizes the performance during the start-stop phase, making it harder for the driver to detect uncomfortable vibrations when turning off the ignition.

The front and rear multi-link suspension is softer in the initial stage of vibration isolation, and the delicate feedback significantly improves the comfort in the car. It can isolate more unnecessary vibrations from the chassis when facing continuous bumps. Below, the rear section of the suspension is more resilient, while also taking into account the support performance required during intense driving. The steering feel under electronic power assist isolates most of the road feel, but such a gentle setting can meet the needs of more users.

In terms of power, BMW has provided three power nameplates to realize the combination of the entire series of 2.0T turbocharged engines and Aisin 8AT gearboxes. The 320/325/330 correspond to 115kW/135kW/180kW respectively. The three power levels have torques of 250N·m/300N·m/400N·m respectively. Among them, the 330i/330Li model can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. But it is a pity that only the 325Li nameplate can get the only xDrive four-wheel drive system in the entire series. Its greater role is to optimize handling and control in dynamics rather than improving straight-line performance.

The chassis is the biggest advantage of the BMW 3 Series. Even though the front axle still uses MacPherson independent suspension, BMW's special double-ball joint shock-absorbing spring strut can give the vehicle a smooth ride on sharp turns and More extreme control during quick lane changes and other aspects, making the front direction of the car clearer. At the same time, the double-wishbone independent suspension of the rear axle can make the rear of the car more stable, and it can maintain good wheel feedback even without a variable steering ratio.

In terms of power, the entire Audi A4L series is equipped with a 2.0T engine, which is divided into two versions: low-power and high-power. The low-power engine has a maximum horsepower of 190 horsepower, and the high-power engine has a maximum horsepower of 252 horsepower, matching 7 Wet-block dual-clutch gearbox. The suspension uses front and rear five-link independent suspension, with a front-wheel drive layout. The engine's power response is very fast, and the gearbox works efficiently. It feels a little jumpy when you step on the accelerator slightly, and the sharp acceleration in the middle and rear sections is also quite smooth. The steering direction of the steering wheel is very precise, and the suspension support is strong. Compared with this generation of 3 Series, it has compromised comfort. Therefore, many car owners feel that the driving control of this generation of Audi A4L is not inferior to that of the 3 Series, or even a little worse. of.

In general, the three models all have the characteristics that a luxury brand should have. The reason why the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class can quickly break out of the circle has a lot to do with the internal and external design of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which closely follows the flagship design. The style allows users to enjoy a class-leading experience with less money. I have to admire Mercedes-Benz for understanding consumer preferences. The improvement in power and optimization of electrification also make the overall driving experience more advanced.

It can be said that the current BMW 3 Series has shown its status as the king in the same market. Sports is still its big bargaining chip, and the continued provision of standard wheelbase options also allows it to cover more market groups with different needs. In addition, it visually continues to enhance aerodynamics and personality by expanding the coverage of the M sports package, and has completed key upgrades of intelligent interconnection software and hardware, making it very suitable for users who prefer sports. As a first-tier luxury B-class car, the Audi A4L has a stylish and sporty exterior design, coupled with a fully advantageous price. Combining these two aspects, the A4L is indeed a relatively cost-effective luxury car.

This article comes from the car review by the author of Yichehao. The copyright belongs to the author. Please contact the author for any form of reproduction. The content only represents the author's opinion and has nothing to do with Bitauto