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2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Date Published: 5/03/08

2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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MSRP:
$29,950 - 36,950

Invoice:
$27,854 - 34,364

Class:
Premium Compact Car
2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Expert Rating Summary
Category C240, man. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Premium Compact Car Average Rating
Acceleration 5 5.6
Fuel Economy 5 5.4
Ride Quality 7 5.3
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 6.6
Quietness 7 5.2
Controls 7 6.5
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 6 5.7
Room/Comfort (rear) 4 3.5
Cargo Room 3 3.5
Value within Class 4 4
Total Score: 54 51.3
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS BUYING RESOURCES
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2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
Mercedes' least-expensive line is redesigned for '01 around slightly larger dimensions, new styling, and new features. Sedans bowed first as the C240 with a 2.6-liter V6 and the C320 with a 3.2 V6. Standard on both are 16-inch wheels (vs. 15s before), traction control, antiskid system, ABS, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Also included are front and rear side airbags, curtain side-airbags, and Mercedes' TeleAid assistance system and BabySmart child-seat recognition system. The C240 has a standard 6-speed manual transmission--a first for this line. A 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate is optional and is the C320's only transmission. Options for both include leather upholstery, COMAND video navigation system, and a Sport Package with upgraded suspension and aero body add-ons. A new Internet-based "InfoServices" feature displays user-selected information on the COMMAND screen. Due later this year as an early '02 model is a new C230 2-dr hatchback with a 190-hp supercharged 4 cyl. Also on tap for '02 are a C320 wagon, the first C-Class wagon sold in the U.S., and the high-performance C32 AMG sedan with a 349-hp supercharged V6.
Competition
This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.
News
The C-Class line attracted exactly 34,600 buyers in calendar 2000, a year-to-year gain of 16.2 percent. And that was with mainly old-design models, not the new 2001s.

Mercedes has already announced three new C-Class variations for 2002: the C320 wagon, equipped like the counterpart sedan; the 190-hp C230 Sports Coupe, a hatchback sharing a supercharged 4-cyl engine with the base SLK roadster; and the C32 AMG, a high-performance limited-edition sedan packing the same 349-hp supercharged 3.2 V6 that powers the 2002 SLK32 AMG, a hot-rod version of the little roadster. The C320 wagon marks the first time Mercedes has sold this C-Class model in the U.S. It's a rival for BMW's 3-Series models, but also competes with other upscale compact Euro wagons like Audi A4, Saab 9-5, and VW Passat.

With these additions, the C-Class line should take a breather for the next year or three, though M-B will doubtless add some new features along the way. And there may yet be more variations on this newborn basic design. Among the most likely prospects: an SUV-flavored C320 sport wagon with M-B's 4-Matic all-wheel drive, and V6 and supercharged V6 Sports Coupes.
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