AUTOS

The Mercedes C300 vs.Tesla Model 3

Henry Payne
The Detroit News
New Age meets Old World. The 2019 Mercedes C300, right, is Germany's classic luxury brand. The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is America's modern, Silicon Valley-inspired answer. They sell in similar numbers in the U.S. in 2019.
New Age meets Old World. The 2019 Mercedes C300, right, is Germany's classic luxury brand. The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is America's modern, Silicon Valley-inspired answer. They sell in similar numbers in the U.S. in 2019.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Rear view. The 2019 Mercedes C300, right, is adorned with exhaust pipe tips and badging. The Tesla Model 3, left, is naked by comparison with only a logo on the trunk.
Rear view. The 2019 Mercedes C300, right, is adorned with exhaust pipe tips and badging. The Tesla Model 3, left, is naked by comparison with only a logo on the trunk.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The interior of the 2019 Mercedes C300 is the best in luxury with ornate decoration and controls — and premium materials.
The interior of the 2019 Mercedes C300 is the best in luxury with ornate decoration and controls — and premium materials.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The interior of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 is a study in minimalism — with a big, colorful screen in the middle.
The interior of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 is a study in minimalism — with a big, colorful screen in the middle.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The front of the 2019 Mercedes C300, right, is an ornate sculpture of three-star grille and diamond-studded grille. The electric Tesla Model 3 doesn't even have a grille.
The front of the 2019 Mercedes C300, right, is an ornate sculpture of three-star grille and diamond-studded grille. The electric Tesla Model 3 doesn't even have a grille.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3, left, boasts 15 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2019 Mercedes C300 has 12.6 cubic feet.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3, left, boasts 15 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2019 Mercedes C300 has 12.6 cubic feet.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Mercedes C300 has a similar shifter stalk to the Tesla Model 3.
The 2019 Mercedes C300 has a similar shifter stalk to the Tesla Model 3.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 features a shift stalk that is similar to that of the 2019 Mercedes C300.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 features a shift stalk that is similar to that of the 2019 Mercedes C300.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Mercedes C300 has 35.2 inches of rear legroom — enough to fit a 6-footer comfortably.
The 2019 Mercedes C300 has 35.2 inches of rear legroom — enough to fit a 6-footer comfortably.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has 35.2 inches of rear legroom — enough to comfortably seat a six-footer.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has 35.2 inches of rear legroom — enough to comfortably seat a six-footer.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Under the front hood of the 2019 Mercedes C300 is a 2.0-liter, turbo-4 engine connected to a smooth, 9-speed auto tranny.
Under the front hood of the 2019 Mercedes C300 is a 2.0-liter, turbo-4 engine connected to a smooth, 9-speed auto tranny.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Under the hood of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 is ... a frunk. The battery and single-speed-drive motor are in the basement.
Under the hood of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 is ... a frunk. The battery and single-speed-drive motor are in the basement.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Mercedes C300 comes with a rear-view camera and options 360-degree view.
The 2019 Mercedes C300 comes with a rear-view camera and options 360-degree view.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 comes with a rear-view camera and 270-degree view of the car while driving
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 comes with a rear-view camera and 270-degree view of the car while driving
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Optional on the 2019 Mercedes C300 is a moon roof.
Optional on the 2019 Mercedes C300 is a moon roof.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3's moon roof comes standard.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3's moon roof comes standard.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The name Mercedes-Benz can be traced to the names of its founding families.
The name Mercedes-Benz can be traced to the names of its founding families.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Tesla was named after Nikola Tesla, a forward-looking engineer who was instrumental in designing the modern, AC electrical supply system.
Tesla was named after Nikola Tesla, a forward-looking engineer who was instrumental in designing the modern, AC electrical supply system.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Keys. The 2019 Mercedes C300 recognizes the key in your pocket, left; the Tesla Model 3 senses the card in your wallet/purse.
Keys. The 2019 Mercedes C300 recognizes the key in your pocket, left; the Tesla Model 3 senses the card in your wallet/purse.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Mercedes C300 boasts 255 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbo-4 channeled through RWD.
The 2019 Mercedes C300 boasts 255 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbo-4 channeled through RWD.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 boasts 271 horsepower from an 80.5 kWh battery and single speed electric motor driving the rear wheels.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 boasts 271 horsepower from an 80.5 kWh battery and single speed electric motor driving the rear wheels.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
In an age of lookalike utes, the 2019 Mercedes C300 sedan stands out.
In an age of lookalike utes, the 2019 Mercedes C300 sedan stands out.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The RWD 2019 Tesla Model 3 bests the AWD 2019 Mercedes C300 from zero-60: 5.1 seconds vs. 5.5, according to Car and Driver.
The RWD 2019 Tesla Model 3 bests the AWD 2019 Mercedes C300 from zero-60: 5.1 seconds vs. 5.5, according to Car and Driver.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Premium art. The 2019 Mercedes C300 features some gorgeous instrument graphics.
Premium art. The 2019 Mercedes C300 features some gorgeous instrument graphics.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
With 325 miles of range, the 2019 Model 3 must rely on Tesla's own EV charging infrastructure (as in this Chicago-navigates route), while the 574-mile range 2019 Mercedes C300 can be filled anywhere with gas.
With 325 miles of range, the 2019 Model 3 must rely on Tesla's own EV charging infrastructure (as in this Chicago-navigates route), while the 574-mile range 2019 Mercedes C300 can be filled anywhere with gas.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Mercedes C300 features exquisite, premium controls and materials as seen on its driver's door.
The 2019 Mercedes C300 features exquisite, premium controls and materials as seen on its driver's door.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
State of the art. The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is constantly updating over-the-air like a smartphone. Example — this feature that allows the driver to set interior climate for a pet left in the car.
State of the art. The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is constantly updating over-the-air like a smartphone. Example — this feature that allows the driver to set interior climate for a pet left in the car.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Like the Tesla, the 2019 Mercedes C300 will change lanes automatically in self-driving mode.
Like the Tesla, the 2019 Mercedes C300 will change lanes automatically in self-driving mode.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has a blizzard of functions for adjusting everything from self-drive controls to mirrors, shown. They are all located in the center screen.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has a blizzard of functions for adjusting everything from self-drive controls to mirrors, shown. They are all located in the center screen.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2019 Mercedes C300 has a blizzard of buttons in the cabin for adjusting everything from self-drive controls to climate.
The 2019 Mercedes C300 has a blizzard of buttons in the cabin for adjusting everything from self-drive controls to climate.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News