2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year Finalists

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Still Chasing BMW

With every fresh generation of the C-Class, there's speculation and promise that it's finally caught up to the 3 Series; yet, it always feels a step or two behind. Case in point: The all-new, fourth-generation C. It's bigger and bolder and loaded with such advanced technology as standard Bluetooth and SmartKey, but it nonetheless lacks the athleticism and tactile feel of the stalwart BMW.

That's not to say the new baby Benz is unpleasant in any way. When the C-Class president, as was our C350 Sport tester, sprints from 0 to 60 in under six seconds, surpasses 96 mph in the quarter mile, and screeches to a halt from 60 in 117 feet, the C indeed has promise. The range now consists of the aforementioned C350, available only in Sport guise (grille-mounted emblem, sporty wheels, and stiffer suspension) with a seven-speed automatic paired to a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V-6, and the C300, which comes in Sport or Luxury versions, the latter adorned with such traditional cues as a chrome grille and a Mercedes hood ornament. Power for the C300 comes from a new 3.0-liter, 228-horse V-6 mated to a six-speed manual (Sport) or the seven-speed auto (optional Sport, standard Luxury) and routed via an available 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

Most editors found much to praise with the new C, notably its chiseled S-Class-esque styling, excellent steering and brake feel, and robust power and acceleration. Conversely, we were disappointed with the interior plastics, which, while soft to the touch, looked rather chintzy for a near-luxury sedan. Moreover, despite the fact that it surpasses its predecessor in each category, the C still seems to lack character. At the end of the day, it manages to do everything really well, except convince the driver that it's the best sport sedan for the money.

-Ron Kiino

What they did right: Dynamically, the C350 Sport is as close as Mercedes has come to building a 3 Series. And it's done it well.

Room for improvement: Perhaps because it arrives in the shadow of the S-Class, but the new C-Class interior isn't up to snuff as a Mercedes-not even an entry model.

Bet you didn't know: U.S. customers get a choice of only 3.0- or 3.5-liter V-6; at a global level, the C-Class is offered with the widest range of engines of any M-B from a 1.8-liter I-4 to a 6.3 V-8.