Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Volkswagen CC VS 2013 Mercedes C-Class Near Phoenix, AZ

Both the CC and the C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the CC 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the C-Class Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the C-Class Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The CC’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the CC for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

There are almost 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CC’s warranty.

The Volkswagen CC’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the C-Class Sedan’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

As tested in Car and Driver the CC 2.0T is faster than the C250 Sedan (automatics tested):

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen CC uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CC has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the CC’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

The CC stops much shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the CC has larger tires than the C-Class Sedan (235/45R17 vs. 225/45R17). The CC 2.0T Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (235/45R17 vs. 225/40R18).

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the CC can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CC is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the C-Class Sedan.

The CC VR6 4Motion handles at .91 G’s, while the C350 Sedan pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The CC VR6 4Motion goes through Road & Track’s slalom 2.7 MPH faster than the C350 Sedan (66.5 vs. 63.8 MPH).

As tested by Road & Track, the interior of the CC VR6 4Motion is quieter than the C250 Sedan:

The CC has 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (93.6 vs. 88.2).

The CC has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room and 3.9 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Sedan.

The CC has a larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (13.2 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the CC V6/VR6 4Motion Executive to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The CC VR6 4Motion Executive’s standard air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.

Insurance will cost less for the CC owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CC will cost $1115 less than the C-Class Sedan over a five-year period.