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Many people automatically default to the BMW 3 Series as the compact executive of choice, but they are missing a trick by ignoring the C-Class. It’s an excellent car and scores an easy four out of five in every category.
Performance is good thanks to a range of strong engines, but so too is refinement and the hushed saloon has the ability to shut out wind, road and engine noise. Handling is crisp with tight body control and accurate, precise steering, but none of this comes at the cost of comfort - the Mercedes' ride is smooth and composed on all surfaces.
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Saloon
Inside, the dashboard looks sporting and modern, and there's plenty of room, good cabin storage and an excellent boot that will swallow four people's luggage. The only downsides are a foot-operated parking brake and the lack of space for a fifth adult in the rear seats, mainly because the transmission tunnel in the floor limits the space for feet.
Running costs
The C-Class isn’t especially cheap to run, but the good news is that even if you are buying a late version it is going cost less to buy than the equivalent BMW or Audi, which tend to hold onto their value better.
However, of those three, the C-Class will be the most expensive to maintain. Along with Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz sets the most expensive labour rates in the industry, although no rivals can match Mercedes' 30-year paint and perforation warranty.
Insurance costs are reasonable if you stay away from the big engines. Our recommended C180 Kompressor Classic SE attracts only a group 12 rating, which is lower than the equivalent Audi, and the C180’s 37.2mpg makes it more economical than the A4 1.8-litre turbo, too. For maximum fuel economy, though, the engine of choice is the C200 CDI; introduced in mid-2003, it returns 44.8mpg.
Estate
It's more lifestyle than worker estate, but it's still extremely practical with a handy 470-litre luggage bay. Drop the rear bench and that stretches to 1,384 litres - almost identical to the BMW 3 Series Touring's and roomier than the Audi A4 Avant's.
The range of petrol and diesel engines provide good mid-range pull, from the supercharged C180K petrol and C200 CDI diesel up to the C350 (or rare, expensive and hairy C55 AMG) petrols and C320 CDI diesels.
All have a sensibly equipped cabin, with simple controls, a good driving position, plenty of storage areas and mostly good-quality materials. Two can sit in comfort in the back, but the raised transmission tunnel in the floor makes it cramped for three.
Drivers will like it, though. It's far crisper and more agile than the previous C-Class estate through the bends, but it's also excellent at smothering bumps, sealing out external noise and tackling long-distance drives.
Running costs
Prices for the C-Class estate aren't over-the-top by Mercedes' standards, but they're not cheap. The purchase price - even on older cars - will put a big dent in your bank balance.
However, you'll get a good proportion of that back once you resell it, because the C-Class holds its value very well. That makes the overall cost of ownership far lower than it may appear when you're buying it.
Servicing costs are high, but not outrageous - noticeably dearer than an A4 Avant, fractionally more than a 3 Series Touring. Leave the Mercedes dealer network, though, and you should slash the labour bill by almost half, according to a leading warranty company.
Insurance ranges from a reasonable group 12 for the C180K, to 17 for the hot diesel and petrol models. Fuel economy is reasonable, too: mid-30s to the gallon for the C180k and about 40mpg for the diesels. The C350s hit you for mid-20s, though.