With circa 8.5 million Mercedes C-Class models sold worldwide since 1982, the car has become a core model for the German luxury brand.

In 1982, the 190 was a revelation, and in 2014, the C-Class is making waves again. The design is bolder, there’s more technology than ever, while fuel economy has improved and CO2 emissions have been reduced.

The compact executive sector of the market that includes the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 is hotting up with the arrival of the latest iteration of the C-Class. Mercedes has upped its game, but is it good enough to jump to the top of the podium? Read on to find out.

Performance

On test we drove the C220 BlueTEC model which Mercedes claims will be the biggest seller in the UK. Under the bonnet lies a 168bhp four-cylinder 2.1-litre engine mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

When compared to other engines in the range, this unit is a tad noisy while the automatic gearbox is not as smooth as that in the C250 BlueTEC, which was a bit disappointing. 

Performance figures for the C220 BlueTEC are about average for this size of car – propelling the car from zero to 62mph in 7.7 seconds, going on to a top speed of 145mph. If you are after a slightly quicker option then there is the C200 182bhp model, this offers a zero to 62mph sprint of just 7.5 seconds.

Ride and Handling

Choose the Sport+ mode and the car gets firmer, the steering becomes weightier, while at the same time the throttle response quickens.

The ride and handling of the C-Class have been vastly improved when compared with its predecessor. Our test car was fitted with the Dynamic handling package including Airmatic suspension. This package includes five modes: Individual, Sport+, Sport, Comfort and Eco meaning you can tailor the car to the journey or your driving mood by the flick of a lever. Choose the Sport+ mode and the car gets firmer, the steering becomes weightier, while at the same time the throttle response quickens. The C-Class is a good car on twisty roads but it’s still not as good as its rival the BMW 3 Series. On the motorway though, it is certainly one of the most comfortable in its class, sure to attract business drivers who clock up motorway miles. There is noticeable body roll in the corners with the C-Class, but due to its excellent comfort it shouldn’t faze you.

Interior and Equipment

Until the A-Class was introduced in 1997, the C-Class was the smallest model in the Mercedes-Benz range.

First impressions of the C-Class is that it looks more grown-up. The design is much more striking and it now looks the executive car that it should have done previously. Mercedes has thrown a lot of standard equipment at the C-Class making it great value for money – not a term that is often used when referring to luxury German carmakers. Standard entry-level kit includes leather upholstery, dual-zone air-con, heated windscreen wash (very useful on familiar frosty mornings), rain-sensing windscreen wipers, speedtronic cruise control, reversing camera and a media interface for MP3 players.  Comfort and convenience is excellent in the cabin and if you opt for the storage package you get two front cup holders in the central console, extra luggage nets, a folding box beneath the luggage compartment floor and two fluorescent jackets. The Merc engineers have increased the wheelbase to 2,840mm, and it’s also 95mm longer and 45mm wider than the previous model. This makes for a more spacious interior with plentiful leg and headroom plus 480 litres of storage space in the boot - on a par with the BMW 3 Series Saloon.

Cost

As well as sitting low on the road tax price list, a CO2 figure of just 109g/km means the C-Class carries a low BIK taxation rate of just 17 per cent for 2014/2015.

The 220 BlueTec will be the best-selling car in the range and the figures look good. Mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox it emits 109g/km of CO2.  Mercedes claims the 220 BlueTec will also return an average of around 59mpg, making 50-plus mpg a real possibility. As well as sitting low on the road tax price list, a CO2 figure of just 109g/km means the C-Class carries a low BIK taxation rate of just 17 per cent for 2014/2015. You will end up paying a premium if you want the coveted Mercedes badge on your bonnet however, because the C-Class is slightly more expensive than the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

Our Verdict

Yet again, the C-Class is an excellent motorway car which is great news for company car drivers – the primary buyers of this model.  On the twisty stuff, even with Airmatic suspension and all the trickery, the C-Class still unfortunately falls short of the BMW 3 Series in terms of driver engagement. There is no denying however that this latest iteration of the C-Class is a massive improvement. It looks good, the figures are strong and if you are doing plenty of motorway miles, this should be a serious consideration. You will end up paying for the gloating rights of saying ‘I own a C-Class’, but if you don’t mind splashing out a little, then the C-Class should definitely be on your short list.