Introduction

The C-Class is in so many ways a car perfectly described by its badge. Obviously smaller in size than an E-Class or an S-Class, but imbued with many of their characteristics. Striking a comfortable middle ground between Audi’s quiet quality and BMW’s overt sportiness, there’s a solid argument that the C-Class is the best car in its class for many buyers.

Did you know? The current C-Class, code-named W205 by Mercedes, uses a lot more aluminium in its structure than before, meaning significant weight reduction.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Verdict: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8.25/10)

The C-Class majors on smoothness. It looks smooth and sleek (albeit you can spot a slight disjoint between the styling of the front and the back), it’s very smooth and satisfying to drive, and the interior is a masterclass in logical control layouts and high quality. Comfort it arguably highest on its agenda, but there’s an engaging chassis too, and surprisingly sharp steering. The only flaw is that the ageing 2.1-litre diesel engines are rather too noisy and uncouth compared to the best of the competition.