Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon

Drive

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a fine, if slightly unexciting car to drive. It has a relaxed and quiet character when equipped with the larger V6 engines, but while the smaller petrol engines are economical, they're rather noisy. The handling is good - there's plenty of grip, but the steering is less engaging than BMW's pin-sharp 3 Series. All the engines in the range have been updated, and now offer stronger performance and improved economy. We would recommend the C220 CDI, which boasts 168bhp, delivering a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds, but has tax-friendly emissions of 117g/km when equipped with a manual gearbox. The optional seven-speed automatic gearbox increases emissions, but it's a must. Its seamless changes suit the saloon's relaxed character, and despite the extra cost, it's much smoother at changing gear than the vague and notchy manual. 

Comfort

Capturing some of the effortless luxury of the bigger S-Class, the C-Class is very comfortable. In SE trim it's a relaxed motorway companion. It's also remarkably quiet, with barely any wind or road noise disturbing the cabin. Only the smaller diesel engines, when pushed, sound a little coarse. There's plenty of space inside for passengers, but although the driver's seat comes with plenty of adjustment, rear passengers may find the firm seats a little uncomfortable. If you opt for the Sport model, the stiffer suspension and bigger alloy wheels can make the car feel slightly more uncomfortable over bumps.

Reliability

The previous Mercedes-Benz C-Class was a big step forward in terms of reliability, and with over 1.2 million cars sold worldwide, there have been few major problems reported. It placed 15th in the 2011 Driver Power satisfaction survey, and the new model has moved on even further in terms of build quality. It's safer than ever too, as there are ten new passive and active safety systems on board, with a pedestrian-friendly pop-up bonnet and attention assistance as standard, Pre-Safe emergency braking, active lane keeping, blind spot assistance and speed limit assist all available as optional extras.

Practicality

The C-Class isn't the biggest saloon around, but there's 475 litres of boot space - although this is slightly limited by the small boot opening. The tailgate opens electrically on all models, but the rear seats don't fold down, so longer items won't fit. Rear legroom is reasonable, although passengers may find the firm back seats uncomfortable on longer journeys.

Value for money

There are three trim levels to choose from - but all come with very generous levels of standard kit. The entry level SE has cruise control, alloy wheels, climate control, a leather multi-function steering wheel and parking sensors. For an extra £1,295 the comfort focused Elegance adds chrome trim, LED running lights and a storage pack, while the top-spec Sport comes with xenon headlights, sports suspension and seats, steel pedals and steering wheel mounted paddles for the automatic gearbox. However, with prices starting at £25,515, for the entry level petrol, the C-Class is more expensive than its premium rivals. That being said, like the previous version, residual values are expected to be strong.

Running costs

All of the engines in the saloon line-up are more fuel efficient than before, particularly the petrols, which all feature direct injection. The 3.5-litre V6 has more power than before, but fuel economy has been improved by 31 per cent. All models come with start/stop as standard, which helps cut emissions. This helps to keep running costs low, but as with most premium brands, servicing, parts and insurance will all be above average, particularly if you use the main dealers.