It's adequately sprung too, with a fully independent undercarriage featuring handling that rewards assertive, if not aggressive
 |
| The seats are comfortable, back and front, and legroom is adequate, depending on your height. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
input. Driver aids, such as traction control and electronic stability control, keep all wheels within the target lane's lines if the softly set suspension gets out of sorts. Braking is also responsive thanks to reasonably large four-wheel discs all-round and standard ABS. If you're looking for something a little sportier than the base C230 Kompressor, Mercedes offers a Sport version with upgraded styling modifications, including larger diameter wheels and tires, plus a tauter suspension.
Leaning to the more practical applications of the C230, its rear seat is quite accommodating if you're not exceptionally tall or width challenged. The seats are comfortable, back and front, and legroom is adequate, again depending on your height. If size is a problem in the C-Class, some of its competitors offer more space at around the same price point. You'll need to give up a little prestige, however.
And that's what the C230 Kompressor has in spades. For a little car, it looks a heck of a lot like a top-line Mercedes-Benz. Its grille is smaller for sure, as the S-Class version would look pretty silly pasted
 |
| For a little car, the C230 looks a heck of a lot like a top-line Mercedes-Benz. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
onto the front fascia of a compact car, but M-B details such as the turn signals integrated into the outside mirrors, chrome trimmed rub strips, triangular taillamps with clear inserts, as well as its generally elegant, wedged shape, give the little sedan an upscale, almost rich demeanor. In this class, only the C-Class imparts such self-importance, its three-pointed star perched proudly upon the front-most portion of its sloping hood. To me, while one of the most conservatively styled in its class, the C-Class is also among the most attractive. It bespeaks good taste; hardly flashy unless old money is flashy these days.
