Jared Syrenne

2019 Mercedes AMG C 43 Wagon – Automotive Review

A Canadian treat, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC, is an unexpected solution for those who are looking for the space and room provided by an SUV but want the feel and performance of a sporty car

Overview/Summary

Honestly, at first, I was a little hesitant while picking up this car. It brought back memories of my Dad’s ugly old Ford Taurus; the backward-facing bench seat allowed my brother and myself to make faces at the vehicles behind us. However, that hesitant feeling vanished because the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC looks nothing like that old car. Mercedes-AMG as always has produced a very sleek and sophisticated vehicle, from the sweeping exterior lines to the premium look and feel of the interior.

After packing all the gear required for a weekend away at the lake, I was then entirely sold on the idea of a wagon. Unlike many of the smaller SUV’s and Crossover’s we’ve tested lately, everything just seemed to fit, and when taking an eight month old little girl camping… I mean everything. While it may have been packed full everyone still was comfortable on the long trip out to Port Alberni from the mainland.

It wasn’t only the space that had me sold; it was the drive. Just like it’s smaller brother the C43 sedan, the vehicle was just a pleasure to drive. The snapping and crackling exhaust notes found in the Sport+, mode could always put a smile on my face. With AMG tuning the 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine to have a whopping 385hp, the wagon can shoot down the road with almost criminal ease. While the 69% rear axle torque bias, and low center of gravity, kept that classic racecar feel. Keep in mind depending on the era, the muscle available in the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 could easily have been in an actual race car. As for the first time in 1986, AMG implanted the 5.0-liter V8 into an E-class coupe, which received worldwide fame under the nickname “The Hammer.” As per this 1986 Car and Driver review,

“The Hammer we tested leaped from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds flat. It hurtled through the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 107 mph. And it pounded down a long, flat straightaway to a top speed of 178 mph. Like the Corvette, the 911 Turbo, the Testarossa, and the Countach, the Hammer covers ground so quickly that you swear you can feel the earth’s curvature racing to meet you.”

Boy, it sure is crazy to see how far things have come… With a starting MSRP of $59,990 CND, this wagon available exclusively in Canada, while still expensive, when you compare it to the rest of Mercedes lineup or a luxury SUV it is actually quite reasonable.

(+) – Really fun and responsive to drive, but still has room for the whole family
(-) – In Sport/Sport+ mode, sometimes when accelerating hard from a stop and then easing off of the gas can cause the computer to shift like a 16-year-old learning a manual transmission for the first time

Highlights

Exclusive to Canada in the North American Market
385-hp bi-turbo V6 with a nine-speed quick-shifting transmission
4MATIC all-wheel drive with a 31:69 base front/rear torque split
7-inch high-resolution central display
Cargo Capacity of 460L behind back seats and up to 1480L with back seats folded

Comparisons

Volvo V90 Cross Country
- MSRP $62,500 CAD
- 316 hp @ 5,700 rpm; 295 lb.-ft. @ 2,200 – 5,400 rpm
- Cargo Capacity 1,953L
- Combined Fuel Efficiency 10.0L/100 km
Audi A4 allroad Quattro 45 TFSI Technik S tronic
- MSRP $57,300 CND
- 248 hp @ 5000 – 6000 rpm; 273 lb-ft @ 1600 – 4500 rpm
- Cargo Capacity 1510L
BMW 330i xDrive Touring
- MSRP $48,900 CAD
- 241 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 258 lb-ft @ 1,250 – 4,800
- Cargo Capacity 1500L
- Combined Fuel Efficiency 8.9L/100 km