2021 Toyota Camry vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation of being a generic sedan by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The design featured flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights, which helped to visually widen the car. However, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their fake vents, which added unnecessary visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims offered a cleaner, albeit still large, grille. The Camry was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Avalon and RAV4. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite the low-rent feel of the materials, the Camry offered a variety of wheel options and trim levels, including the sporty TRD package and the Nightshade Edition with blacked-out features.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class presented a more cohesive and recognizable design, borrowing elements from other Mercedes models. The front end resembled the CLA-Class, while the rear took cues from the S-Class, resulting in a stylish sedan that was unmistakably a Mercedes. The C-Class featured cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive platform. Standard LED headlights and taillights could be upgraded to the Mercedes Digital Light system, which offered advanced functionalities like projecting warning icons. Inside, the C-Class aimed to emulate the luxury of the S-Class with features like a freestanding touchscreen, ambient lighting, and intricate speaker grilles. Despite its luxury aspirations, the standard upholstery was MBTex synthetic leather, with Nappa leather available as an upgrade.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive, and slightly less with all-wheel drive. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system that increased output slightly. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was also available, delivering 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total output of 208 horsepower. The SE Nightshade Edition, with its base four-cylinder engine and AWD, surprised with its eager performance and balanced chassis tuning, offering a fun driving experience without sacrificing ride quality. The TRD package added sporty enhancements like stiffer suspension and larger brakes, further enhancing the Camry's performance credentials.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup allowed for short bursts of additional power, contributing to a 0-100 km/h time of 6.0 seconds. The sportier AMG C43 variant offered a more powerful engine with 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The C300 4Matic test car provided sufficient power but suffered from turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. Despite these issues, the ride quality was impressive, and the car handled well on twisty roads, though it required a more deliberate driving approach compared to sharper sports sedans.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, with limited in-cabin storage. The Camry featured analog controls for key functions, enhancing usability, though some controls were awkwardly placed. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, available only as a sedan, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor. Front headroom increased by 2.5 mm, and rear legroom by 20 mm, leading its class in these areas. The seats were comfortable and supportive, with excellent forward visibility, though thick rear pillars created blind spots. The trunk offered 455 litres of space, with a wide opening for easy loading. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench allowed for longer items, though Mercedes did not provide a cargo-space figure with the seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and limited USB ports.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured a sophisticated infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen. Standard features included keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Burmester 3D surround-sound system. The MBUX system offered a "Zero Layer" setup for easy access to functions, and the voice recognition system was highly effective. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided clear guidance with overlaid arrows on a front-camera feed.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It came with the TSS 2.5+ package, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe systems. Optional features included lane-keep assist, a 360-degree camera system, and Car-to-X communication, which provided real-time warnings based on networked vehicle data.