Performance
Petrol buyers can choose from a supercharged 1.8 with either 154bhp or 182bhp, and V6s of 2.5-, 3.0- and 3.5-litres. There are also three diesels - 134bhp and 168bhp 2.1s, which are badged C200 and C220, or a 221bhp 3.0 (C320). All are good, but the C220 CDI strikes the best balance between performance and affordability. A C63 AMG with a 451bhp 6.2 V8 is also available. Manual gearboxes are unwieldy and gearchanges take a bit of effort - autos are more sensible and hold their value better.

Ride & handling
There are two distinct versions, geared towards comfort or sportiness. Both have adaptive suspension that react to road conditions, but Sport models feature lower, stiffer settings and more direct steering. The result is a car that changes direction quickly and with less roll than the standard C-Class. The ride is still far from harsh.
Refinement
Some wind noise can be heard around the door mirrors from just below the motorway limit, but it’s a minor intrusion. The engines are impressively smooth and hushed, too, but road noise does filter through to the cabin over coarse surfaces.

Quality & reliability
The dash is made from soft-touch plastics and the cabin has a solid feel, but it can’t match an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series for attention to detail. Still, Mercedes performed well in our most recent reliability survey and owners were generally positive in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey.
Safety & security
Seven airbags, including one to protect the driver's knees, are standard, and there's stability control to help you stay on the road. Options that have filtered down from bigger Mercedes include headlights that adjust their beam pattern to suit the road and features to brace you in the ideal position in an impending crash. Deadlocks are fitted as standard to keep thieves out.

Behind the wheel
The C-Class has chunky switchgear for the main heater and stereo functions, while a single rotary knob lets you scroll through on-screen menus to access minor systems (and optional extras such as the sat-nav). This arrangement dramatically reduces clutter, but you sometimes find your eyes wandering from the road to look at the screen. The driving position is fine and fully adjustable.

Space & practicality
The C-Class can carry four adults in comfort, although the optional panoramic sunroof is best avoided because it eats into headroom. A hefty transmission tunnel makes life uncomfortable for a central rear passenger. The boot is one of the biggest in the class, and is well shaped.

Equipment
Entry SE spec comes with the basics, such as alloy wheels, climate control and a CD player. Elegance cars are more luxurious, getting wood trim and convenience features like rain-sensing wipers, while Sport models have lower suspension, a muscular bodykit and the Mercedes badge on the front grille rather than the bonnet