2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	C350 Sport, man. Rating (See All Ratings)	Premium Compact Car Average Rating

Acceleration	8	6.6

Fuel Economy	5	5.4

Ride Quality	7	5.9

Steering/Handling/Braking	7	7.3

Quietness	7	6.2

Controls	7	7.2

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)	8	6.9

Room/Comfort (rear)	4	3.7

Cargo Room	4	4.2

Value within Class	6	6.3

Total Score:	63	59.7

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

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2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

Mercedes-Benz's smallest sedan is largely unchanged for 2007, pending a 2008 redesign due in calendar '07. C-Class models are defined by their engines and by Sport or Luxury designations. Sports include a sport suspension, specific appearance details, and aluminum vs. wood interior trim. The C230 Sport has a 201-hp V6. The C280 Luxury has a 228-hp V6. The C350 Sport and Luxury have a 268-hp V6. Discontinued is the 362-hp V8 C55. The C280 and C350 Luxury are available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive. C230 and C350 Sports are available with a 6-speed manual transmission. AWD versions have a 5-speed automatic, all other models use a 7-speed automatic. Standard are ABS, traction/antiskid control, and curtain side airbags. Rear side airbags are optional. Options include a navigation system, bi-xenon headlamps, and 60/40 split folding rear seat.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. Our Recommended picks are the Acura TSX and Audi A3.

New or significantly redesigned is the BMW 3-Series.

News

We hear redesigned 2008 C-Class sedans will bow in the second half of calendar '07, followed by updated wagons 6-8 months later. Reports indicate styling patterned on that of the big new S-Class sedans, with wheelbase and overall length stretched about three inches each. Models and associated powertrains should carry over from '07. A hot rod AMG version will return at some point, likely a C63 with AMG's new 6.2-liter V8 and around 475 hp.

Mercedes is finishing up a compact SUV based on the upcoming C-Class architecture. Sources are uncertain about U.S. sales plans, but we'd guess this so-called X-Class will indeed come in to answer rival BMW's American-built X3. Look for a base 3.5-liter V6, standard AWD and overall length of around 177 inches. A V8 version is likely, perhaps sooner rather than later.

2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Road Test >

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