Disclaimer: I didn't take any pictures but have used Mr. Mercedes-Benz aka Christian Wimmer's pictures for this review since the car his tested looks exactly like the one I drove. I hope you don't mind Wimmer




What a great Swedish day it has been. Warm weather, no anticipation for precipitation, lots of tanned gorgeous girls walking and a C200K Avantgare test drive. When the C-class was launched I was in California where it probably hasn’t even been launched yet, so today was actually the first time I got to see Mercedes latest spectacle in the metal.
How does it look then? Make no mistake, the car looks better IRL what it does in pictures. Not to exaggerate but the C-class exterior is as immaculate as the CL. I walked around a SOLD black Avantgarde on the show room floor for about 3 minutes and was stunned by the attention to detail surrounding the car. Not only is the front pointing like an arrow but so does the rear as well but not as strongly. A few months ago I referred to the new C as a mini S-class but have to take it back. It is a mini CL with four doors. Exterior wise it has more in common with the CL than what it has with the S-class. The design is very original, sensual and unique, top marks from me. Can’t wait to see it in AMG-trim.

Getting inside the car, the interior doesn’t live up to the exterior. A big let down actually. My biggest problem is the whole dash board which doesn’t have the typical horizontal Mercedes wood/alu panel stretching through it. That makes the car feel less premium, making the center console look like it’s belongs in a Honda or Mazda. It gives a very bare feeling. Even the Lexus IS has a better luxurious feel. The buttons and all the materials were just like expected, top quality and light years ahead of the pre-facelifted C32 I test drove earlier this year.



Now I can tell you that the myth is dead. Mercs are no longer boring non sporty cars. The C was fun as ever to drive, and the difference between it and the w203 is like night and day. First of all the steering has been heavily improved. It is much more responsive and even when I made sudden and rapid turns the front wheels turned instantly. You can’t really ask for a much more responsive steering, it’s really superb. The suspension was like expected, comfort orientated but really not any much different than the IS and 3er. Despite the comfort orientation the car still felt firm and not boaty like a Volvo. Off course the performance junkies would probably opt for the coming sports package but the suspension wasn’t so soft that it made the car boring.

Like the title states the car was a C200 Kompressor. Looking at the specs the engine is actually a 1.8L engine making the name C200 pretty deceiving, since most people would naturally believe that it’s a 2L engine. The engine itself offers power which satisfy most people, especially MB fans who love low-end torque.

Overall the new C is as great as it looks and a GIGANTIC improvement. So is it better than the 3er and IS? No it isn’t. All three cars are extremely well made. The IS is inferior in the steering feel department but has the second best exterior design after the C-Class. In the performance department the #3er is the winner. Interior wise the IS comes on top*Can’t believe I’m saying this*. Simply put all three cars are great. The C is the most expensive one and is even more expensive when you begin ticking off the goodies in the option list. A black C200K in the showroom was listed at around 470k, 13k worth of options. Just choose the Avantgarde trim, AMG kit- keyless Go, parking assist, sun roof, leather seats, other S-class options and before you know it your options cost a third of the car’s base price. It is extremely premium and nothing for someone who isn’t planning on specing it like a Benz.


Positive
Flawless exterior design
Very responsive


Negative
Pricey as a Macbook Pro
Uninspiring interior