1st place: Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC (78.6%)
The C-Class is all-new this year, and even though it's not as bold as the Cadillac (to our tastes, at least), its organic shape is nonetheless very seductive.
The workplace of the C350 is the most spacious of the group, but it's not the most heart-warming. Dark grey dominates the dashboard, doors and seats, and makes the cockpit pretty austere. We unanimously wished for a two-tone décor or a little more contrast.
The rear seat is the most welcoming of the four sedans here, and the only one that can truly seat three across. The trunk isn't the biggest, but its wide opening makes it the most useable. In addition, the C350 offers the best outward visibility.
The Mercedes-Benz is the least powerful of the lot, with only 268 horsepower. But the 7-speed automatic compensates well, and fuel consumption during the test is reasonable. The suspension offers two modes, Sport and Comfort, and we felt a real distinction between them.
The steering is peculiar; there is about a half-second between the moment we turn the wheel and the moment when the wheels actually turn. The result is a car that understeers and gives a slightly disconnected feel. We get used to it, but still.
The reason that helped the C350 rank first in this comparison is the harmony between the all-wheel drive, traction control and stability control systems. For the average driver, the car offers the best compromise in winter conditions; it stays controllable and reassuring. Let's be clear here: these four cars handle themselves extremely well on snow and ice, but the Mercedes-Benz proved itself a tad superior.
The C350 4MATIC isn't the fastest, the sportiest or the most comfortable on the road, but it's the best all-around performer in our little group.
"A shapely body, and my favorite on the road; it's the one I would buy for my family, even in winter." - Marc Bouchard
The C-Class is all-new this year, and even though it's not as bold as the Cadillac (to our tastes, at least), its organic shape is nonetheless very seductive.
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The workplace of the C350 is the most spacious of the group, but it's not the most heart-warming. Dark grey dominates the dashboard, doors and seats, and makes the cockpit pretty austere. We unanimously wished for a two-tone décor or a little more contrast.
The rear seat is the most welcoming of the four sedans here, and the only one that can truly seat three across. The trunk isn't the biggest, but its wide opening makes it the most useable. In addition, the C350 offers the best outward visibility.
The Mercedes-Benz is the least powerful of the lot, with only 268 horsepower. But the 7-speed automatic compensates well, and fuel consumption during the test is reasonable. The suspension offers two modes, Sport and Comfort, and we felt a real distinction between them.
The steering is peculiar; there is about a half-second between the moment we turn the wheel and the moment when the wheels actually turn. The result is a car that understeers and gives a slightly disconnected feel. We get used to it, but still.
 |
The reason that helped the C350 rank first in this comparison is the harmony between the all-wheel drive, traction control and stability control systems. For the average driver, the car offers the best compromise in winter conditions; it stays controllable and reassuring. Let's be clear here: these four cars handle themselves extremely well on snow and ice, but the Mercedes-Benz proved itself a tad superior.
The C350 4MATIC isn't the fastest, the sportiest or the most comfortable on the road, but it's the best all-around performer in our little group.
"A shapely body, and my favorite on the road; it's the one I would buy for my family, even in winter." - Marc Bouchard
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