A

s anyone who has watched

their kids declare all-out

war on each other over

the relative sizes of their

ice creams knows, sibling

rivalry can be a terrible

thing. And the arrival of a new, smaller

sister explains much of the change that's

taken place in the Mercedes C-Class.

Until very recently, the C-Class was

the smallest saloon in the Mercedes

family, and acted accordingly. It was

sportier than its bigger siblings, and a bit

cooler - pitched against fast-lane rivals

such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4,

and given much of the same thrusting

swagger. But last year Mercedes

launched a smaller and cheaper saloon,

the CLA, which has become the brand's

new wild child - leaving the C-Class to

grow up and become more sensible.

This is not a bad thing. Indeed, you

can make a good case that the new

C-Class drives more like the new

S-Class than any of its predecessors.

Mercedes never lets any of its models

stray too far from the clan's visual DNA.

Underneath, the new C is both bigger and

cleverer than its predecessors. Indeed,

size increases between generations mean

it's now the same size as a 1990s E-Class.

It uses a part-aluminum bodyshell to cut

weight and even the most basic version

has a front-looking radar system that

alerts you to an impending crash and will

even apply the brakes automatically if

you do nothing.

On the road, it's

almost uncannily

quiet, with very little

road or engine noise

reaching the cabin.

The suspension does

a real magic carpet

impression as well,

defusing bumps and

Πlling in undulations.

High-speed cruising is

outstanding - on the

motorway it really does feel like it's going

at least 20mph slower than it actually is.

The ’ ipside is an absence of much in

the way of excitement. On twistier roads

the chassis can muster plenty of grip

and the steering is impressively accurate,

but there's no reward in trying to hustle

the C-Class along too quickly. It's just not

that sort of car. Far better to canter at a

graceful pace and enjoy the reΠnement.

The engines stick with the sensible vibe,

with only more basic versions available

at launch. Most British buyers will opt

for one of the diesel powerplants, with a

2.1-litre four-cylinder engine that's o• ered

in both 168bhp and 201bhp states of

tune (badged as C220 Bluetec and C250

Bluetec respectively). There's also a 2.0litre

turbocharged petrol engine in the

basic C200 that produces 181bhp.

All three are decent. The diesel engines

both deliver strong low-down urge and

predictably impressive fuel economy

Πgures. The petrol motor doesn't have

as much punch as its power output

suggests, but it revs freely and sounds

nicer than the diesels. A manual gearbox

is standard but most buyers will probably

opt for the smooth-shifting, seven-speed

automatic transmission. More powerful

(and more frugal) versions will follow,

including a mighty AMG version with a

turbocharged V8 later this year.

The C-Class can be ordered with a vast

and sometimes baž ing array of options.

But if you can resist the sales patter you'll

Πnd that the basic

car is great in its own

right - and that's a

sign of a true winner.

Best bits:

Combination

of comfort and

reΠnement.

Worst bits: Need

to wait for more

exciting versions;

not as sporty as

key rivals.

MERCEDES C�CLASS

Mercedes has chosen a new path, focusing on

comfort and re� nement rather than sporty dynamics

BMW 3�SERIES

BMW more or less invented the compact

sports saloon and the 3-Series is far more

dynamically focused than the C-Class - even if

it can't quite match Mercedes for re� nement.

Available with a wide range of engines, from

the basic 316i all the way to the range-topping

335i and 335d diesel. From £23,555

AUDI A4

Feeling old compared with the BMW and

Mercedes, but with its age (and impending

replacement) re� ected in some very keen

deals. Most buyers go for diesel versions, but

the 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrols are punchy and

impressively economical. Four-wheel drive

is a popular option. From £24,385

LEXUS IS

Jaguar is going to launch a small model next

year, but until then the only real non-German

player in this segment is the Lexus IS. Handsome

and extremely well equipped, it's an individual

choice without being an oddball. The IS300 uses

hybrid drivetrain to deliver outstanding economy

� gures - on paper, at least. From £26,495

The rivals

MERCEDES C200 SE

Price: £26,855

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder,

turbocharged

Power: 181bhp

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds

Top speed: 147mph

Economy: 53.3mpg

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