Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: No data available
Good looking; comfortable; good selection of engines; excellent crash safety.
Not as practical as some rivals; dull cabin.
Unadventurous, but another good family-friendly Mercedes.
Mercedes has sharpened up the C-Class's steering responses and suspension, and while this estate is not meant to be an all-out sportswagon it's no saggy, rolling load-lugger. A new Agility Control package is standard, with a short-throw six-speed manual gearbox, adaptive shock absorbers and more direct steering. A further dynamic handling package can be specified, lowering the ride height by 15mm, giving selectable Comfort and Sport modes for the suspension, and adding speed-sensitive power steering with a more direct ratio - and if that's still not enough, there's the AMG sports package option, with still shorter and firmer springs, and 17" wheels. Hard cornering is no problem, yet it retains fine everyday drivability and ease of use around town.
As with the saloon, the petrol engines are refined and strong, the supercharger boosting the entry-level C180 and C200 for good acceleration. For all-round usability, however, the diesels are immensely accomplished: all with plenty of torque, they're quiet, refined and very capable. The C230 CDI makes for a great performance alternative to the thirsty C350 - at least until the C63 AMG comes along to please the most power-hungry.
