| Overall Rating |
 |
| Description |
| The three-door C Class is quite spacious, comfortable and has a quality feel that the badge brings. It's not that sporting to drive, but it's refined. Expensive, even compared with BMW's Compact. |
| Handling |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Quality & Reliability |
|
| Performance |
|
| Roominess |
|
| Running Costs |
|
| Value for Money |
|
| Stereo/Sat Nav |
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| Best Models |
| C220 CDi |
| Worst Models |
| C230 K SE |
| Replacement |
| 2007 |
|
 |
| Road Test |
| Mercedes call this a Sports Coupe, but that's slightly optimistic tag. This is a classy hatchback for those who don't need more doors and are prepared to pay for the privilege. Buyers get all the qualities of a C Class saloon but in a more compact package. So the good things like comfort, spacious interior and a feeling of overall quality are all there. What's missing is a truly sporting nature; the SC comes up against the BMW 3-Series Compact, but it just doesn't feel as sharp. Engines are good, especially the supercharged versions, but when connected to a manual gearbox they can feel clumsy and that detracts from the performance. This is then a well crafted Mercedes hatchback, albeit a very stylish one. The real drawback is that the SC is expensive; it seems to hard to justify the high prices for what you actually get, unless you price in prestige. |
| Positive Points |
- Solid C Class virtues in a sportier package
- Well built, reliable and safe
- Coupe body is stylish but quite practical
|
| Negative Points |
- Handling could be sharper
- Expensive alongside C Class saloon or 3-Series Compact
- Extras push up prices rapidly
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