Mercedes-Benz will put its electric C400 4Matic saloon on sale in the UAE by the end of this year, DriveArabia reports. It adds a German rival in an executive segment where Chinese brands are pushing hard.
What has Mercedes confirmed?
The C400 4Matic electric, designated W520, joins a growing Mercedes EV range. Mercedes revealed the car on 20 April 2026 and opened orders in May. It sits on the firm’s MB.EA platform.
The saloon claims 0-100kph in about four seconds. Its WLTP range reaches 762km, according to Mercedes’ figures. That figure is a manufacturer estimate. At an 800-volt charger, it can take up to 330kW and add 325km in ten minutes, Electrek reports.
Which variants follow, and when?
The electric C-Class range will grow over 2027. Less costly C300 and C200 electric versions will follow the C400 4Matic. Mercedes also plans a rear-wheel-drive version with around 800km of WLTP range. Meanwhile, the electric cars will sit alongside petrol-powered C-Class models, with facelifted combustion versions also due in the coming months.
How much will it cost, and who does it face?
UAE pricing is yet to be announced, though DriveArabia expects it to start around AED300,000. In Europe, it costs about €67,000, Autonext notes. Its main rival will be BMW’s i3 50 xDrive, which BMW says reaches its first customers from this autumn.
On paper, the two cars are closely matched. The BMW makes 345kW (469hp) and 645Nm, while the Mercedes produces 360kW (482hp) and 800Nm. However, BMW claims a WLTP range of up to 900km, beating the Mercedes estimate.
The Mercedes is also a large car. It measures 4,883mm long, 1,892mm wide and 1,503mm tall, with a 2,962mm wheelbase.
How does the powertrain work?
Two permanent magnet synchronous motors drive the car, one on each axle. Both draw power from a 94kWh battery pack. In addition, the rear motor sends drive through a two-speed transmission. DriveArabia reports that the shifts can’t be felt from the cabin.
A front-axle disconnect also cuts energy losses by 90 percent under low load, which helps efficiency.
What is the cabin like?
Inside, the C400 4Matic mixes classical design with heavy technology. The focal point is an optional 39.1-inch Hyperscreen that spans the dashboard. The standard MBUX Superscreen has two displays, and the passenger screen is optional.
The MB.OS system uses Google services plus artificial intelligence from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini. Navigation runs on Google Maps and integrates Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent. Buyers can also download third-party apps for streaming and gaming.
Reviewers disagreed about the screens. Auto Express praised the display quality. Similarly, carsales found the large screen sat low enough to avoid distraction. By contrast, DriveArabia found the amount of screen hard to take in, and some functions hard to reach on the move. Physical switches are mostly gone, though the steering wheel keeps a volume roller and a rocker switch for adaptive cruise control.
Is there space and quality?
Cabin space is generous. The wheelbase is 97mm longer than the combustion C-Class, which frees up legroom front and rear. Furthermore, the standard panoramic roof adds 22mm of front headroom and 11mm in the rear.
Auto Express found ample legroom across all three rear seats. However, DriveArabia felt the rear seatbacks were too upright for long trips. Some hard plastic appears, and Autonext criticised a cheap-looking rear panel. Elsewhere, faux-metal and open-pore-wood-effect trim lift the ambience. There’s also a vegan interior option, certified by The Vegan Society.
For storage, the boot holds 470 litres and a front boot adds another 101 litres. Combined, that gives 571 litres.
How does it drive?
Reviewers drove the car at its launch in Finland, and every review praised the ride comfort. Auto Express called the ride on air suspension truly luxurious. Similarly, carsales found it soaked up rough Finnish roads well.
The optional AIRMATIC air suspension uses Car-to-X data and Google Maps to prepare for bumps ahead. As a result, DriveArabia judged ride and refinement close to S-Class levels.
Handling divided opinion. The car weighs 2,460kg, and carsales described it as a cruiser more than a sporty saloon. Auto Express agreed that it puts comfort ahead of driver engagement. On the other hand, Autonext found the optional rear-axle steering made it feel smaller and more agile. Its 800Nm of torque also gives strong overtaking pace.
What is the verdict?
Real-world range estimates vary. In mixed driving, carsales averaged 17kWh/100km, which works out at about 552km. DriveArabia estimated between 550km and 600km. Meanwhile, Auto Express expects 563km to 604km on colder motorway runs.
Overall, early verdicts are positive. Auto Express rated it four out of five, and Autonext scored it 8.4 out of 10. DriveArabia called it arguably Mercedes-Benz’s best EV so far. Styling remains a matter of taste, and Auto Express found the nose blocky.
The big unknown is how it compares with the BMW i3 50 xDrive on the road. DriveArabia expects the BMW to be the sportier car, and the Mercedes the smoother, easier daily car.
