Acceleration

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
8	6.2

Manual-transmission C350 Sport Sedan only 2006 model made available for test so far. Acceleration smooth, nearly effortless, especially in highway-speed passing. Manual gear-change action lacks positive mechanical feel, and some testers find clutch engagement abrupt in standing starts.

Fuel Economy

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
6	5.4

Averaged 22.1 mpg in even mix of city/highway driving.

Ride Quality

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
7	5.9

Firm, but quite compliant despite rather aggressive tire tread on Sport version. Well-controlled over humps, dips.

Steering/Handling/Braking

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
7	7.2

Lacks the razor's-edge sharpness of top competitors from BMW, Audi. And some testers say rear suspension loses some composure in fast, bumpy turns. Still, precise, natural steering feel, fine balance and minimal body lean in corners makes this sedan worthy of Sport label.

Quietness

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
7	6.1

Engine never rises above muted whine. Wind rush low, as is bump noise, though some tire hum over coarse pavement.

Controls

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
7	7

Gauges unobstructed, but some testers say markings too small to easily read at a glance. Slight reach to high-mounted audio, climate controls, and some testers find power window-switch location awkward. Most cabin materials are heavy-weight, with rich grain, though some lighter-weight plastic panels disappoint at this price level.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
7	6.5

The very tall might want more head room. Outstanding seat comfort, support. Over-the-shoulder visibility compromised by undersized exterior mirrors.

Room/Comfort (rear)

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
4	3.6

Good toe space, but leg room tight with front seats more than halfway back. Head room a squeeze for 6-footers. Firm, nicely contoured seat.

Cargo Room

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
4	4.7

Trunk not expansive, but very usable; opt for split folding seatbacks for more versatility. Opening reasonably large, lid-hinge housing a minor intrusion. Cabin storage tight, especially with optional, glove box-mounted CD changer.

Value within Class

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
6	6.1

A C350 Sport with manual transmission is the only 2006 model made available for test so far, and it's an impressive representative of this outstanding lineup. Like 2005 C-Class models we tested, it's rock solid, impressively refined, and well-engineered. Ride and handling are of high order, and the new 268-hp V6 delivers waves of smooth power. Rear-seat room in these sedans suffers from the car's tidy size, but accommodations are otherwise top-notch. No C-Class need make an apology for being a slightly more-sober alternative to its BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 rivals.

Total Score

C350 Sport, man.	Class Average
63	58.7

Scores for all Premium Compact Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		58
High Score		65