2008 C300 Mercedes Benz
It’s rare that a car company with the panache of Mercedes turns out such a pedestrian design as the former C-Class shell. Granted, it was Mercedes' entry-level car, but it’s still a Benz and there are certain expectations that come with that name (as their new ad campaign states). To us, the last generation C-Class looked more like a dull entry-level domestic vehicle than its namesake.
While the Daimler-Chrysler merger did little for Mercedes' reputation, the redesigned C-Class should kick most of those bad perceptions to the curb. Borrowing heavy style cues from the top of the food chain S Class is a great way to reinvigorate your entry-level car. The C300 seems more substantial from every angle, and it is -- longer, wider and taller. This car has matured as well as any relaunch in recent automotive history. It looks like a baby S class, maybe even better. The smaller proportions seem to meld beautifully in the C300, giving it a sense of authority that was missing in its last incarnation. While the last car used elliptical styling cues to get its point across, the new version is heavy on rectangular shapes and straight lines. The headlights look interchangeable with the S-Class and the chromed grill sporting that famous three-point star is just enough bling to let onlookers know you have arrived. The 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels are beautiful and complete the whole package.
The interior appointments are equally impressive. Quality materials fall at you fingertips in this sophisticated space. With so many cars trying to overwhelm you with lights, buttons and knobs, it is refreshing to see simple elegance dominate your field of vision. The increased exterior dimensions pay dividends in interior space, with added shoulder and legroom for you and your passengers. If you can afford the navigation system, spend the money. Turning the ignition on and watching the screen unfold is a site to behold, the same phrase came out of everybody that rode in our tester -- “that’s so cool.” The command rotary dial falls nicely at your hand on the center console and controls the car's audio and navigation systems. It’s far more intuitive than BMW’s harshly criticized iDrive system and can be mastered in only a couple of minutes. We also loved the dual moon roof.
Power delivery is buttery smooth. Perhaps our only complaint, and it’s a small one, is that the 3.0 liter V-6 is slightly underpowered at 226 hp. While fine at city speeds, we would have loved an extra 20 horses on the highway. Dropping the throttle to make a lane change or passing slow commuters was a bit of an adventure. While adequate, we would have loved a touch more thrust. However, the engine is incredibly smooth and quite and power delivery is geared as smoothly as any car we have ever driven. The C300 feels like a car that should cost $20,000 more than it does.
It is obvious that Mercedes Benz spent a lot of time, money and thought on this vehicle. This is less a re-design and more a completely new car; in many ways, it's almost a shame to consider this an entry-level Benz. We give this C-Class an A.
--Chad Doering
