Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2011 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $60,990 (C 200 CDI) $67,900 (C 250 CDI & C 250)
Options fitted: Refer bottom of page
Crash rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
Fuel: Diesel/Petrol
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 7.2 (C 250), 5.4 (C 200 CDI), 5.1 (C 250 CDI)
CO2 emissions (g/km): 167 (C 250), 143 (C 200 CDI), 134 (C 250 CDI)
Also consider: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS

From two dozen yards away the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class looks the same as it did when launched in 2007. But get a little closer and you'll notice a number of subtle changes to the W204 model.

Sure, the car's overall silhouette is no different, but the re-sculpted headlamps add a more contemporary air to the German car, while the various LED daytime running lights could be enough to make Audi owners perform a double-take.

Driving the updated C-Class was a seamless and largely enjoyable experience. I had the good fortune of testing a couple of different trim levels and engine types -- two diesels and one petrol -- and in all instances it was hard to fault.

The C 200 CDI, C 250 CDI and C 250 CGI were all tested over the course of a month, and I'll happily lay my cards on the table right now: I enjoyed driving all of them. They're not perfect, simply very, very good.

Moreover, this updated C-Class has changed the way I perceive the brand, showcasing an impressive style that Mercedes-Benz knows how to craft.

For mine, one of the best things about the current C-Class is the adoption of seven-speed automatic transmissions on all C-Class cars -- even the poverty pack models. Previously four-cylinder C-Class models were packaged with a five-speed auto, so this is a big step up.

It's a very smooth gearbox, yet one that delivers rapid shifts should you be in a hurry, and its tiny computer brain never became confused during our tests, always choosing the right gear for the job at hand.

Crack the throttle and the gearbox is quick to drop a few cogs, giving the driver almost instant access to the engine's sweet spot. The 7G-Tronic transmission also provides the Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a more frugal nature when cruising on the highway, as the addition of a very tall seventh gear lets the engine tick over at minimal engine speeds. All C-Class models are rear-wheel drive.

Another aspect of the car's fuel-saving engineering that was initially very impressive was the stop-start engine system. It's one of the quickest systems to react; shutting the engine down when it detects the car is at a standstill. In moderately flowing traffic it's a good system, cutting power to the engine when you pull up at traffic lights and restarting when you take your foot off the brake.

However in slow moving traffic the constant stopping and starting of the engine every few seconds was annoying on almost every occasion. Thankfully the system can be toggled off.

Interior ambience is almost peerless, as the C-Class manages to deliver a number of neat features that lift it above the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

Roomy inside, with ample space for four adults and a surprising amount of rear seat head room get the car off to a good start, with only shoulder room and rear leg room slight concerns for the tallest of occupants.
 
But it's not just the sense of space that makes the C-Class a nice place to spend time. It's the little things, like the way the seat belts automatically tighten across your chest when you plug them in, adding a sense of security before you drive away.

The Benz stylists have taken a scalpel (rather than a hatchet) to the cabin, creating an agreeable atmosphere that isn't as minimalist as the BMW 3 Series, but is very easy to work out. Controls are clearly labelled, both on the steering wheel and centre console, ergonomics are generally good and the instrument panel looks sensational thanks to a high resolution TFT colour display inside the speedometer, which adds to the car's premium feel.

Furthermore, all models also come standard with a 14.7cm colour LCD screen that displays everything from your radio station choice to satellite navigation (the latter is optional).

Basic comfort is taken care of by 'man-made' leather on the C 200 CDI and authentic leather on the other two models. The squab cushions were a little too soft for my liking, but the leather quality was excellent, adding to the car's luxurious pretensions.

There are also neat storage areas underneath each front seat, with easy open/close mechanisms and enough room for a camera, iPod or purse. Another small touch that makes a big difference is the dashboard cover that extends all the way to the centre console, which really benefits drivers in sunny climes by reducing the sun dazzle and reflection on the screen.

Guiding the C-Class through the various obstacles that daily driving throws at drivers is not only effortless, but satisfying at times. With a rear-wheel drive layout, acceleration is assertive, even on the entry-level C 200 diesel, and power assisted steering is direct if devoid of meaningful feedback.

This lack of feedback is not a problem in most scenarios, and the power assistance is actually a boon for the most part. But if you fancy a drive along the coast or through the hills, it does take a little bit away from the experience.

I'm not saying the new C-Class isn't enjoyable to drive should you decide to attack corners; it's just that on less than perfect surfaces it's difficult to tell whether the front wheels are at their grip limit.

The chassis is impressively tuned, delivering an almost ideal balance between ride quality and handling prowess. While the handling isn't quite as sharp as the BMW 3 Series, the ride quality is better than its German competitor, providing a more comfortable cruiser -- one that suited my needs more adequately as a result.

Some bigger bumps on the road could be felt more clearly on the models fitted with 18-inch tyres but generally speaking all three models were very well behaved on the road.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is very quiet car, as well being comfortable. This is particularly noticeable at freeway speeds. It just seems to hum along like a stealth car, the mild hum of the engine the only intrusion.

Speaking of which, testing three different engines back to back provided a new insight into the increasing refinement of the modern diesel engine.

While the (150kW/310Nm) C 250 CGI 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine is a smooth, quiet and relatively eager powerplant, it lacks the low down grunt of the diesel mills.

If you're driving manifesto regularly features brisk drives through the hills on crisp but cold winter afternoons, the petrol engine will not disappoint; its ability to rev and a strong top end make it a satisfying vehicle to drive hard and fast, and the chassis is capable of holding a decent line through a corner.

Mercedes-Benz claims an average fuel consumption figure of 7.2L/100km for the four-pot petrol engine (we recorded close to 10.0L/100km), and while it feels quicker to 100km/h than the four-pot diesels, in a more pertinent benchmark for everyday driving -- 0 to 50km/h -- it's not necessarily the quicker vehicle.

Indeed, if you are expecting to spend most of your drive time commuting or just visiting friends and family, and not straying too far from the urban jungle, the diesel mills are a far better choice.

Forget what you might think about turbodiesel engines; the latest generation Benz oilers are quiet, refined and surprisingly satisfying to drive and both the C 200 CDI and C 250 CDI exemplify these traits.

The Mercedes-Benz C 200 CDI is powered by a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which develops 100kW/300Nm, and it's that latter figure that matters most. The Toyota Corolla outputs the same power as this $60,900 machine, but the 300 Isaacs gives the car impressive low-down pulling power.

The gentle nature of the diesel engine's power delivery is a better fit for the car as well -- even if you drive the accelerator pedal hard into the carpet the car never feels abrupt or jerky.

My final fuel consumption figure for the C 200 CDI was 6.4L/100km over 400km. About 80 per cent of those kilometres were daily commuting and stop-start inner city traffic on the weekend, though Benz claims the car is capable of a 5.4L/100km average.

The C 250 CDI commands a $7000 premium over the C 200 CDI, and pumps out significantly more power and torque, 150kW/500Nm to be precise. It uses the same 2.1-litre engine block as its lesser sibling but adds a second turbocharger to reach its lofty power heights, and you feel the extra urge on the road.

Acceleration in the C 250 CDI is substantially improved over the C 200 CDI, though I'm not convinced it's worth the extra dough. If you have to have the 250 lettering on your car then go for it, and it is a nicer car to drive thanks to a more muscular mid range -- just not $7000 nicer.

Criticisms for the C-Class are few and far between. It's a meticulously designed application, but there were a couple of things that struck me as not just strange, but illogical. Firstly, switching off the ESP. The stability control works well and is subtle enough that most drivers won't need to turn it off, but don't try turning it off in a hurry.

Most vehicles have a standalone button to switch it off. Not here. The German interior designers have decided it's better to make you scroll through several menus on the instrument panel to switch it off. This seems somewhat odd to me.

The other aspect that befuddled me was the inclusion of a foot-operated park brake. Lexus still persists with this anachronism, but Mercedes? It feels so out of place and so dated that for mine it took away a little of the car's sheen. Granted it is easy to use, but on one occasion I almost accidentally stabbed the throttle instead of the park brake. Mercedes Australia wouldn't have been happy if that happened...

Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz has delivered an impressive upgrade on its C-Class, which is a car for all seasons and, seemingly, all people.

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