The C240 sedan is priced more attractively than the C320 and for that reason it's a big seller. But the 2.6-liter V6 is the weakest engine in the C-Class line, producing just 168 horsepower, and it feels short on power. The C320 is a much more satisfying car.
We prefer the 1.8-liter four-cylinder found in the C230 sport sedan and coupe over the 2.6-liter V6 found in the C240 sedan and wagon. Specifications for the 1.8-liter (189 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque) surpass those for the 2.6-liter because the four-cylinder engine is supercharged, and its performance is impressive. Mercedes claims the C230 coupe can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds with the six-speed manual transmission, and 7.5 seconds with the adaptive five-speed automatic. That's reasonably quick. (The C230 sport sedan should offer similar performance because it weighs the same as the C230 coupe.) Better still, the engine is very responsive to throttle commands. It torques up better than just about any four cylinder on the market, and its powerband is nicely suited to a small sporting car. But beware. The supercharged four-cylinder in the C230s is the roughest engine in the C-Class line, producing more vibration than the small V6 both at idle and at higher revs. The V6 is much smoother. The supercharger itself makes pleasant mechanical sounds, but one driver's mechanical music is another's noise. And we can't recommend the C230 models with the automatic transmission, which zaps the four-cylinder's zest, leaving only the coarser qualities.
The automatic works very well in the C320 models, however. It suits the wide power band and extra torque of the bigger V6. The C320's automatic shifts crisply, adding to the sporty driving experience. It comes with a manual-shift feature, but there's no real need to use it because the five-speed automatic is adaptive: Drive it gently, and it will shift up sooner, rewarding you with smooth acceleration and good gas mileage (20/26 mpg EPA City/Highway). If you're constantly on the throttle, the transmission learns that you like to drive quickly and will hold itself in each gear for more sprightly acceleration. Still, moving the Touch Shift transmission lever into the manual mode allows the driver to manually shift down or up one gear with each click. Hold the lever to the left for more than a second and it shifts all the way down to the lowest appropriate gear for the speed you're traveling. Hold it to the right and it shifts back up to Drive. Stop and it automatically shifts down to first. Accelerate away and it shifts back up to the highest gear selected, a good strategy for using third gear when driving around town. It's a great setup.
The C320 most closely replicates traditional Mercedes ride quality. Its ride is soft, almost cushy, but it's well damped, so there's no bouncing around over dips in the road. The standard C-Class sedans won't wilt if you push them a bit, but they're never stiff. We think they best suit the tastes of most buyers.
That said, we prefer the sport models. The C230 and C320 sport sedans are livelier than the standard models, and turn into corners more responsively. The nicely weighted power steering, sports seats and beefy steering wheel all contribute to a feeling of better control. Indeed, if you enjoy spirited driving, the C230 sport sedan may be the most enjoyable C-Class yet (short of the mighty AMG). It's a bit less nose heavy and bit more spry than the C320 sport sedan, and the revised six-speed manual transmission contributes considerably.
About that manual transmission: Mercedes has lowered the ratio for first gear for quicker acceleration off the line, but kept an overdrive sixth gear for quiet, low-rev highway cruising for fuel economy. More important, the old cable-operated shift mechanism has been replaced by a solid, direct rod. The result is easier, quicker and more precise shifting, and the improved action contributes greatly to a more rewarding, engaging driving experience. Shift effort is low, and the gears are easier to hit. For manual fans, we can heartily recommend the C230 sport sedan. If you prefer an automatic in your sport sedan, we strongly encourage you to step up to the C320.
All C-Class models are reasonably quiet, even when blasting along at 80 mph. Both the sedan and coupe are slippery cars, and very little wind noise penetrates the cabin. Yet there seems to be more engine and rear-end noise in the sport coupes. It might be an issue of insulation or body design, and in a world of high-wattage auto stereos, it might not matter to many buyers.
Good stopping power usually means big brakes, and every C-Class model has big brakes. The sport sedans feature four-piston calipers and cross-drilled rotors in front for better resistance to fade. (Braking effectiveness fades away as brakes get hot from repeated hard use.) All C-Class cars come with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. EBD can reduce stopping distances andimprove stability when braking by distributing brake pressure among the four wheels, giving more to the tires with the best gripping. Brake Assist senses a panic braking situation and helps ensure full braking force even when the driver makes the mistake of relaxing pressure on the brake pedal. The net effect is right-now, no-fuss stopping. In every day use, the C-Class brakes are progressive in pedal feel; in more serious situations, the brakes are enormously powerful. All C-Class models come with anti-lock brakes, which allow the driver to maintain steering control in a panic stop by preventing wheel lock-up.
The available 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system delivers power to all four wheels. It's fully automatic and on all the time, so there are no buttons to push and no special operating instructions to follow. The system uses electronic traction control to vary torque among each of the four wheels, diverting power to the tires with the best grip. Even if three wheels lose traction, 4MATIC can direct power to the one remaining tire with grip. The result is better stability and improved handling in slippery conditions with a greatly reduced chance of getting stuck. The system adds less than 200 pounds to the weight of the vehicle and its compact dimensions do not compromise passenger or luggage space. 4MATIC does dampen engine response and slows acceleration slightly, and it produces a slight decrease in fuel mileage. But for those who drive through harsh winters, all-wheel drive is worth it. All-wheel-drive sedans such as those in the C-Class line are proof that you don't need an SUV to confidently handle rough weather.
The new C55 AMG might be the most impressive C-Class yet. It's a sports sedan in the extreme sense, capable of amazing acceleration, excellent handling and braking performance on par with exotic sports cars. The old C32 was that, too, but the new C55 is more refined. Its big V8 engine is smoother, more tractable and less intrusive when a driver is cruising the freeway or just trundling along, and its deep, V8 exhaust note better suits the sportiest C-Class of all. Next Page