Major Options:  Steel Grey Paint, Cashmere Leather Upholstery, TeleAid, Panorama Sunroof, Premium II Package (SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Heated Front Seats, Bi-Xenon Headlamps w/Washers and Cornering Fog Lamps, Split-Folding Rear Seats, Garage Door Opener, Autodimming & Power Folding Mirrors, Rain Sensing Wipers, Power Rear Window Sunshade), Luxury Sedan (MB Star on Hood, 17 in. Alloy Wheels w/All-Season Tires, Luxury Interior, Walnut Wood Trim), Multimedia Package (7 in. Power Retractable Color Display, COMAND Hard-Drive Based Navigation System, 6-Disc CD/DVD Changer, harman/kardon LOGIC7 Multi-Channel Surround System, Voice Control, Music Register, PCMCIA Slot)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  17.8 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Damon Bell The C300 Luxury's cozy interior dimensions might be a bit too confining for some plus-size shoppers, and some of its audio and navigation system controls are more complicated than they need to be. Still, Mercedes's redesigned premium compact offers an enticing blend of first-rate accommodations, supple (if not abundant) power, and active-yet-refined road manners. C-Class pricing is competitive, too.

Ed Piotrowski Though the 2008 C-Class is not in the same size class as the Lexus ES, they share several characteristics. Both vehicles are pretty comfortable, very quiet, and exceptionally refined. Neither overly impresses for handling when compared to others in their respective classes. These vehicles represent "safe," if somewhat bland, choices in their segments. As Seinfeld would say, "Not that there's anything wrong with that." The C-Class is a good choice if you wouldn't necessarily crave the spice of a BMW 3-Series or Audi A4 or appreciate the quirkiness and versatility of a Saab 9-3.

Rick Cotta The C300 Luxury lives up to its name. While competitors such as the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G35 are better performers, few in the class can provide quite this level of serene isolation. If that's what you desire--and you place some value on the vaunted three-pointed star--the C300 makes a lot of sense.

Tom Appel Like 70-percent cocoa chocolate, smoked sea salt, and the films of John Sayles, the C-Class should appeal to the connoisseur. It's not the fastest, flashiest, or best handling compact luxury ride out there, but it is the most sophisticated. Our test C300 Luxury absorbed bumps like a much larger, more expensive car, and was among the quietest cars we've tested in any class. And, unless you're going full-throttle, you'll never hear the engine. Find the Infiniti G35 too coarse? Find BMW's 3-Series a little too needy in heavy traffic? Looking for mechanical brilliance without the bravado? The C-Class may be your next car.