The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Deserves Its AMG Badge

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine not only differs from the outgoing 3.0-liter twin-turbo unit in terms of displacement and configuration, it also benefits from being hand built by the folks at the Affalterbach manufacturing plant in Germany. From a heritage perspective, this makes the C43 a truer AMG product than its predecessor, which received its engine via the standard assembly line.

Mercedes-AMG claims higher horsepower output for the new model, as well. With 402 hp on tap thanks to a new electric exhaust-gas turbocharging setup that's derived from insight gained from F1. Torque measures 369 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm, making the engine feel very "boosty" compared to many modern turbo cars that offer maximum twist at less than 2,000 rpm. Making peak power at 6,750 rpm, the C43 is better when it's driven hard, as the engine's thrills live at the top of the rev range.

On the track, we recorded a best 0-60-mph sprint of 4.5 seconds, and the car ran the quarter mile in 13.0 seconds at 107.3 mph. It's quick, but the AMG doesn't feel earth shattering like the C63 S E Performance did during our First Drive review of that car. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 we tested is also slightly slower than the previous-generation sedan, which hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.2 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 107.2 mph. Although the new model doesn't fully capture the performance of the V-6 variant, there's still plenty to like about the new drivetrain.

Our test car came equipped with the available AMG Real Performance Sound exhaust setup, which makes the C43 sound guttural on startup. At full throttle, it sounds totally feral. This option also gets rid of the standard fake exhaust passthroughs and replaces these outlets with handsome quad tips. The old V-6 may have sounded more buttery, but this exhaust won't disappoint buyers who expect a full AMG soundscape.

The 2023 C43 also boasts commendable steering, which is nicely weighted and very precise. With the help of four-wheel steering, this sport sedan is a confident and poised handler that rewards driving enthusiasts with wieldy nimbleness. A clever permanent all-wheel-drive system sends 31 percent of the torque to the front wheels and 69 percent to the rear, helping to keep the car neutral on corner exit. On our figure-eight course, we consistently executed 24.8-second lap times, just 0.1 second off from the previous-generation model. The latest version weighs 4,087 pounds, just more than 200 pounds heavier than its predecessor, which easily explains its small on-track deficits.

Even if the new engine can't replicate the old unit's acceleration, the car's braking improves significantly with the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43. We measured an impressive 60-0-mph stopping distance of just 103 feet. The previous C43 sedan we evaluated required 111 feet. Brake feel is excellent and highly communicative, too. We achieved our best figure-eight times by stopping just short of using the ABS, and modulating the brakes to do so was an easy feat. The brakes exhibited no fade over the course of our on-track testing, making repeatability of results one of the C43's best on-track qualities.

Mercedes-AMG offers a lot of setup customization for the 2023 C43 by way of the central display and steering-wheel-mounted dials and buttons. Aside from the typical Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes that are displayed on a dial on the right side of the steering wheel, the engine, suspension, exhaust, and AMG Dynamics profiles can all be adjusted separately in an Individual drive mode. Sport provides adequate responsiveness for spirited driving, and Sport+ sharpens up the C43 considerably for a proper flogging.

In the real world, we recommend sticking with the adaptive suspension's Comfort setting because the damper rates get very aggressive in Sport and Sport+. We also configured the engine to use Sport mode for added responsiveness off the line. Because we couldn't help ourselves, we also used the most aggressive exhaust profile to liven up our commute. For quick setting changes, Mercedes-AMG places a dial on the left side of the wheel that allows the driver to tap through the car's different components and use tabs located on the side to toggle settings on the fly. We appreciate how easy it is to use the Individual profile and also the fact Mercedes allows the driver to toggle settings further within the various preset drive modes.

Mercedes-AMG outfits the C43's interior with a large 11.9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, which can be configured with several layouts that feature unique graphics. You can also customize the ambient lighting with 64 different colors. There are even animated presets that enable a subtle lightshow. Make no mistake, there's plenty of razzle-dazzle inside the cabin to delight and entertain its occupants.

For all of the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43's tremendous driver engagement and cool technology, this sporty sedan has some shortcomings. The nine-speed automatic transmission uses a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter, and it delivers sharp shifts under hard acceleration. On the downside, those shifts manifest as jerkiness under more minimal throttle applications when you're slogging through traffic—this is the biggest point we'd like to see improved to better the C43's daily usability.

Our other gripe is with the interior. The dash is decked out with beautiful displays, but the rest of the cabin doesn't feel as upscale as we'd expect from Mercedes-AMG. There's a lot of plastic throughout the interior, and the hard material that encases the transmission tunnel is especially egregious. Although our test car was equipped with stylish metallic fiber-weave trim, which is applied to the panels on the dashboard and looks spectacular as it glitters in the sun, Mercedes opts for a copycat version of the material for the center console that is decidedly a cheaper-feeling plastic made to look like the real deal.

The sporty luxury sedan segment is generally pricey, and the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic is no exception. The starting price for the base Premium trim level is $61,050, making the 2023 C43 more expensive than its rivals. A 2023 BMW M340i xDrive starts at $59,395, and the 2023 Audi S4 undercuts it even further at $53,895. For a true value, the 2023 Genesis G70 3.3T AWD starts at $48,125.

Our 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 test car was also equipped with features from the long list of available goodies. Some upgrades, like the Selenite Grey Metallic paint ($750), Power Red and Black leather seats ($1,650), 20-inch wheels ($1,650), AMG Night Package I ($750), and AMG Night Package II ($550) were purely cosmetic. Mercedes-AMG also ticked the boxes for convenience features such as MB Navigation ($650), AMG Track Pace recording software ($250), and the Driver Assistance package ($1,600). The AMG Real Performance Sound exhaust system ($550) rounds out the spec sheet. In total, our test car stickered for $70,020.

Buyers can alleviate some of the upfront cost by going lighter on the options, but we think it's a shame the Driver Assistance package contains so many desirable features that are becoming increasingly common as standard equipment in other automotive segments. At least the C-Class has solid crash test scores; a Top Safety Pick+ from the NHTSA contributes to the C43's appeal as a daily driver.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 is expensive, but it drives like a truly special car. Our handful of complaints are overshadowed by genuinely thrilling dynamics and enough high-tech bells and whistles to keep us entertained for the long run. Of all of the midlevel sport sedans, the C43 is one of the most engaging.

Mercedes hasn't completely replaced displacement with its new drivetrain, but the C43 manages to deliver the hands-on driving enjoyment car enthusiasts love. This sport sedan is so full of character that we found ourselves popping out for errands and drives at every possible opportunity during our two weeks behind the wheel. Indeed, although the C43 sits in the middle of the C-Class lineup, it stands out as a car that genuinely deserves its AMG badging.