Overall rating:

This C-Class isn't so much an all-new car as a heavily revised version of the outgoing model. Mercedes says that there are 2,000 new components, the most significant of which are to do with the new styling, the interior and the more efficient engines.

Key Facts

Pricing: £25,515 to £34,480
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol / 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed manual/seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: four-door saloon/five-door estate
Rivals: BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Lexus IS
CO₂ emissions: 117-176g/km
Combined economy: 38.7-64.2mpg
Top speed: 129-149mph
0-62mph: 7.0-9.2 seconds
Power: 134bhp at 2,800-4,600rpm (C 200 CDI) 201bhp at 5,500rpm (C 250 CDI)
Torque: 266lb.ft at 1,600-2,600rpm (C 200 CDI) 369lb.ft at 1,600-1,800rpm (C 250 CDI)

In the Metal:

It's no surprise that the C-Class's exterior has followed the same line as the rest of Merc's range. The headlights have adopted a boomerang-like appearance, the grille is more prominent and the sides are more sculpted.

The new interior is typically sober-suited. The overall effect is governed by the exact leather/wood/aluminium choices, but the full suite of materials and switchgear are of exceptional quality - enough to put the C-Class at the forefront of its class in the build stakes.

Driving it:

Every engine has more power and lower emissions than its predecessor. The choice is huge, but in short, UK buyers can choose from a pair of 1.8-litre petrol engines with 154bhp (C 180) and 201bhp (C 250). Then there's the 2.1-litre turbodiesel variant that comes with 134bhp (C 200 CDI), 168bhp (C 220 CDI) and 201bhp (C 250 CDI).

The petrol engines are smooth and quiet but emit a pleasant, muted growl when provoked. The C 180 initially requires a heavy right foot to get moving, but it's comfortable enough at A-road and motorway speeds. The diesels are equally refined and their big torque and lazier power delivery better suit the relaxed nature of an executive saloon or estate.

Though we weren't able to try a manual, the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox complements the C-Class's smooth drive. What's more, the ride is extremely comfortable and the cabin's sound deadening is among the best around. The trade-off here is light steering and little in the way of feedback for the driver. This can be improved with the addition of sports suspension (standard on the Sport models), which makes the C-Class more engaging, but the ride won't be quite as polished.

What you get for your Money:

Standard equipment in the basic C-Class SE includes 16-inch alloys, parking sensors, automatic wipers, climate control, cruise control and a colour instrument cluster - to name but a few.

Elegance trim costs an additional £1,295 and adds 17-inch alloys, front fog lights, daytime running lights and upgraded upholstery. Sport versions costs £1,700 more than the Elegance models and offer 18-inch AMG wheels and AMG styling, sports suspension, adaptive LED headlamps and a lot more in the way of performance-themed upgrades.

Other optional gadgets include Mercedes' COMAND system with internet access directly from the car and ten new safety orientated electronic driving aids. We won't list them all, but Attention Assist and Active Bonnet now come as standard.

Expect to pay £25,515 for the entry-level C 180 SE manual and £34,480 for the top-spec C 250 CDI Sport auto. The Merc is priced competitively next to its biggest rival, the BMW 3 Series, but the Beemer has a number of smaller-engined, entry-level variants that undercut the C-Class on price.

Worth Noting

Small engines and low emissions make this Mercedes-Benz C-Class look sedate next to its predecessors, but fret not, because a hot AMG version is on the way. Powered by Mercedes' existing 6.2-litre V8 engine, it will pack 451bhp and appear in UK showrooms in June.

Every C-Class now comes with a stop-start system and the C 220 CDI manual model emits only 117g/km, which makes for road tax costs of only £30 a year for retail buyers.

Summary

Keen drivers will continue to gravitate towards the 3 Series in this sector, but as ever, Mercedes has nailed the comfort and refinement side with the C-Class. Add to that fine build quality, the plethora of clean, smooth engines and the myriad of new equipment/safety features and the C-Class is even more attractive to fans of the brand.