2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2005 C-Class versions get a sportier and more luxurious feel, with revised styling and redone interiors. They're offered in enough trim levels to satisfy just about anyone in the market for a near-luxury four-seat European auto with a prestigious nameplate.

Lots of Choices
There are three body styles: sedan, station wagon and 2-door hatchback coupe. They are divided into Sport and Luxury versions ranging from the $28,850 C230 hatchback Sport Coupe to the $39,150 top-line C320 4Matic luxury all-wheel-drive sedan I tested.

There's also a new limited-production C55 hot rod sedan from Mercedes' high-performance AMG division. It costs about $55,000 with a gas-guzzler tax. That's a lot for a C-Class Mercedes, but its 362-horsepower V8 lets it hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It replaces the supercharged 349-horsepower V6 C32 AMG sedan and has distinct front styling and such items as stronger brakes.

No C-Class version is lazy. Even the base C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe do 0-60 mph in 7.2 to 7.5 seconds.

Lots of Safety
All C-Class trim levels are loaded with comfort, convenience and safety equipment. It can be argued that the safety items make Mercedes competitive with Volvo in the safety area, with the C-Class having standard anti-lock brakes, anti-skid traction control system, front-rear side airbags and head-protecting side-curtain airbags.

The more trim levels, the more choices for C-Class buyers. But it's almost reached the point where you can't tell the C-Class players without a scorecard.

Just the numerous engine choices can give pause. For example, the C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe have a 189-horsepower supercharged 4-cylinder engine. The C240s get a 168-horsepower V6 and come as Luxury sedans and wagons. The C320s have a 215-horsepower V6 and are offered as a Sport Coupe and Sport Sedan—and also as a Luxury sedan and wagon. Then there's the white-hot AMG V8.

Decent Fuel Economy
Fuel economy of standard C-Class versions is decent; it ranges from 19 to 23 mpg in the city and 26 to 30 on the highway. Figure on about 15 city, 21 highway with the C55 AMG version, which generally is bought as a second or third car by car buffs.

A 6-speed manual gearbox with shorter gear throws and modifications for quicker off-the-line acceleration are standard for the C230 Sport and C320 Sport versions. They also can be had with a 5-speed automatic transmission, which is standard on other C-Class trim levels.

Standard on C240 and C320 Luxury sedans as well as the C240 Luxury Wagon (and optional on Sport Sedans and Sport Coupes) is a manual shift feature for the automatic transmission. A driver can select forward speeds by tapping the gear lever to the right to upshift and to the left to downshift.

When not manually shifted, this electronic transmission adapts to changes in road grade and an individual's driving style in fully automatic mode.

The Sport versions come with sport-tuned suspensions and 17-inch wheels, while other versions have 16-inch wheels. All new C-Class versions feature increased track width and suspension enhancements that improve handling.

Available All-Wheel Drive
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but the C240 sedan and wagon and C320 sedan can be equipped with Mercedes' advanced 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which doesn't have the clunky feel of other such systems. In fact, the system is "invisible" during normal dry-road driving conditions.

The 2005 Luxury sedans and wagons have newly styled wheels and body trim. Sport Sedans get AMG body trim, and a perforated grille is on Sport Coupes.

Revised Inside and Out
Every C-Class version gets redesigned, clear headlights and revised taillights for a slicker look. They also feature a redone dashboard with a new 4-gauge instrument cluster, 3-spoke steering wheel, redesigned console and recontoured seats for more support and comfort.

The Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe have aluminum trim throughout their interiors for a sportier look, while Luxury versions get richer wood trim with multi-contour front seats that have a new adjustable lumbar support for the driver.

The Sport Sedan has new 17-inch, 5-spoke wheels, while the Sport Coupe has staggered-width wheels for a more aggressive stance.

Tight Feel
My test C320 4Matic AWD Luxury Sedan with all-wheel drive had the tight feel of 1980s Mercedes models. That was when Mercedes design was dominated by Daimler-Benz (before it became DaimlerChrysler) engineers and not as much by the automaker's marketing department, which has been forced by rivals such as Lexus to offer a lot more models.

My test car had the responsive automatic transmission and a smooth engine that provided strong acceleration in town and on the open road. Its 215-horsepower V6 provides an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 26 on highways.

The quick steering felt good, and the supple suspension shrugged off bad bumps while providing a comfortable ride. There was plenty of stopping power, with good brake pedal feel.

Roomy
The quiet interior provided decent room for four 6-footers. It's reached via large door handles, which aren't matched by too-small inside handles. Front seats were supportive, but the high, hard center rear seat section was uncomfortable for a third occupant. Rear door openings were rather narrow, but back windows lowered all the way.

Gauges could be read at a glance, although their metal rings seemed superfluous. Radio and climate controls were moderately large. The glove compartment was roomy, and the console's covered bin was pretty deep. But the plastic cupholders in the fold-down rear armrest were narrow and felt cheap.

The trunk was large and usefully shaped, with a low, fairly wide opening.

My test C320 is one of the best buys in the new C-Class line, which should be especially attractive to those in snow-belt areas with the all-wheel-drive system.