The rear-passenger quarters provide average comfort at the very best and the trunk isn’t quite roomy, either. At 354 litres, cargo capacity pales in comparison to the 425 litres of the Saab 9-3 XWD ($38,730) and 480 litres of the Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro ($39,700).
Flexible and dynamic
New for 2010, the 2.5-litre V6 under the hood of the Mercedes-Benz C250 generates 201 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque, numbers that are similar to those of the four-cylinder engine powering the Acura TSX Premium ($36,290). It’s all handled by the brand’s 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, which delivers some of the most seamless shifts you’ll ever feel (or won’t?). Likewise, the engine fires up with great subtlety, displaying superb flexibility and quietness on the road.
Unfortunately, the car seems to lack explosiveness under acceleration, especially when you need to overtake a slower vehicle, as the 1,690 kilos arguably handicap performance. The truth is the 2.5L obeys two primary logics: 1) lower the price of the C-Class and 2) increase fuel economy.
As far as the price goes, I’ve already told you that Mercedes did a good job. On the other hand, fuel economy still needs some improvements. Despite showing restrained enthusiasm behind the wheel, I wound up with an unsatisfying average of 9.7 L/100 km. And remember: this new little engine burns premium fuel!
With regard to driving dynamics, I found the C250 4MATIC to be quite pleasant if not rewarding, although it doesn’t come close to a BMW 328i xDrive ($44,000). The low center of gravity and Agility Control suspension combine to deliver solid handling and remarkable ride quality. In winter conditions, the safety and peace of mind provided by the fantastic all-wheel drive system are a huge plus.
Corners come and go all too easily. The suspension proves firm enough to mitigate body roll yet soft enough to swallow bumps and minor potholes. Overall, the chassis felt nicely tight and balanced.
The choice is yours
At the end of my road test, I had a pretty good picture of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C250 4MATIC. It boasts a large number of attributes that mostly meet our expectations for a premium compact sedan from Germany. It’s a Mercedes alright, but a slightly less glamorous one.
Flexible and dynamic
New for 2010, the 2.5-litre V6 under the hood of the Mercedes-Benz C250 generates 201 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque, numbers that are similar to those of the four-cylinder engine powering the Acura TSX Premium ($36,290). It’s all handled by the brand’s 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, which delivers some of the most seamless shifts you’ll ever feel (or won’t?). Likewise, the engine fires up with great subtlety, displaying superb flexibility and quietness on the road.
Unfortunately, the car seems to lack explosiveness under acceleration, especially when you need to overtake a slower vehicle, as the 1,690 kilos arguably handicap performance. The truth is the 2.5L obeys two primary logics: 1) lower the price of the C-Class and 2) increase fuel economy.
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| While the C250 variant remains exclusive to the Canadian market, it wonderfully blends in with the crowd. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
As far as the price goes, I’ve already told you that Mercedes did a good job. On the other hand, fuel economy still needs some improvements. Despite showing restrained enthusiasm behind the wheel, I wound up with an unsatisfying average of 9.7 L/100 km. And remember: this new little engine burns premium fuel!
With regard to driving dynamics, I found the C250 4MATIC to be quite pleasant if not rewarding, although it doesn’t come close to a BMW 328i xDrive ($44,000). The low center of gravity and Agility Control suspension combine to deliver solid handling and remarkable ride quality. In winter conditions, the safety and peace of mind provided by the fantastic all-wheel drive system are a huge plus.
Corners come and go all too easily. The suspension proves firm enough to mitigate body roll yet soft enough to swallow bumps and minor potholes. Overall, the chassis felt nicely tight and balanced.
The choice is yours
At the end of my road test, I had a pretty good picture of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C250 4MATIC. It boasts a large number of attributes that mostly meet our expectations for a premium compact sedan from Germany. It’s a Mercedes alright, but a slightly less glamorous one.
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