Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Toyota Avalon

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Toyota Avalon contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Toyota Avalon.

In comparing the Mercedes-Benz C-Class's and the Toyota Avalon's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the advantage in the area of overall quality score. The Toyota Avalon has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class's and the Toyota Avalon's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Avalon is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Pricing: A used 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class ranges from $28,999 to $39,813 while a used 2022 Toyota Avalon is priced between $23,973 to $39,286.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class loses 52.5 percent of its value and the Toyota Avalon loses 43.1 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Avalon retains 9.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 8.4 out of 10 while the Toyota Avalon's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class being ranked 3 out of 35 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Toyota Avalon being ranked 1 out of 4 Best Large Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is 7.5 out of 10. For the Toyota Avalon the reliability rating is 8.7 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Avalon an advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Toyota Avalon base engine makes 301 horsepower. The C-Class is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 539 miles. The Avalon is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles.This gives the Toyota Avalon the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class the advantage in maximum range. The C-Class uses premium unleaded, and the Avalon uses regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota Avalon, a large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Toyota Avalon have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.