Just as good-looking
On the outside, there's not much that differentiates the C230 from the more-expensive variants. Besides less sporty 16-inch alloy wheels, it looks just as sexy. Our tester has the Sport Package, which is a good deal, as it adds 17-inch wheels and the much-nicer sport grille. The C-Class easily stands out in the compact sports-luxury sedan crowd.
Inside, it's down-to-business attractive. Most controls are straightforward, and fit and finish is top-notch. The Bluetooth connectivity easily pairs my cell phone, and a keypad on the centre console is very practical. The information display located in the center of the speedo is also much appreciated.
However, the cover that hides the navigation system in higher-end C-Classes is irrelevant here. The silver paint on the shift lever is already scratched, and the car's got only 2,000 km on the odometer. And the steering wheel is a little too big.
Interior space is also a concern; it's about as tight as in the other compact sports-luxury sedans in its class, but the front chairs are mounted so low that your pant legs touch the floor mat and get dirty. A C-Class buyer should shop for deeply-grooved rubber mats for the winter season.
Competition
The C230 starts at $35,800. Add 4MATIC, and the automatic transmission is mandatory; base price is $39,500. Our test car also includes the Premium Package ($2,200) and the aforementioned Sport Package ($800), for a grand total of $42,500.
Here's some of the C-Class' rivals that are available with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission:
Audi A4 2.0T Progressiv quattro, 200 hp, $43,500
BMW 328xi, 230 hp, $45,200
Cadillac CTS4, 263 hp, $43,225
Jaguar X-Type 3.0, 227 hp, $45,000
Lexus IS 250 AWD, 204 hp, $37,600
Lincoln MKZ AWD, 263 hp, $41,499
Subaru Legacy 2.5GT, 243 hp, $41,795
Volvo S60 2.5T AWD, 208 hp, $45,995
Hey, you know what? The C230 4MATIC is actually a pretty good deal.
On the outside, there's not much that differentiates the C230 from the more-expensive variants. Besides less sporty 16-inch alloy wheels, it looks just as sexy. Our tester has the Sport Package, which is a good deal, as it adds 17-inch wheels and the much-nicer sport grille. The C-Class easily stands out in the compact sports-luxury sedan crowd.
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| Most controls are straightforward, and fit and finish is top-notch. |
Inside, it's down-to-business attractive. Most controls are straightforward, and fit and finish is top-notch. The Bluetooth connectivity easily pairs my cell phone, and a keypad on the centre console is very practical. The information display located in the center of the speedo is also much appreciated.
However, the cover that hides the navigation system in higher-end C-Classes is irrelevant here. The silver paint on the shift lever is already scratched, and the car's got only 2,000 km on the odometer. And the steering wheel is a little too big.
Interior space is also a concern; it's about as tight as in the other compact sports-luxury sedans in its class, but the front chairs are mounted so low that your pant legs touch the floor mat and get dirty. A C-Class buyer should shop for deeply-grooved rubber mats for the winter season.
Competition
The C230 starts at $35,800. Add 4MATIC, and the automatic transmission is mandatory; base price is $39,500. Our test car also includes the Premium Package ($2,200) and the aforementioned Sport Package ($800), for a grand total of $42,500.
Here's some of the C-Class' rivals that are available with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission:
Audi A4 2.0T Progressiv quattro, 200 hp, $43,500
BMW 328xi, 230 hp, $45,200
Cadillac CTS4, 263 hp, $43,225
Jaguar X-Type 3.0, 227 hp, $45,000
Lexus IS 250 AWD, 204 hp, $37,600
Lincoln MKZ AWD, 263 hp, $41,499
Subaru Legacy 2.5GT, 243 hp, $41,795
Volvo S60 2.5T AWD, 208 hp, $45,995
Hey, you know what? The C230 4MATIC is actually a pretty good deal.
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| The C230 starts at $35,800. Add 4MATIC, and the autobox is mandatory; base price is $39,500. |