Flagship of the range is the high-performance C63 AMG, but the more mainstream petrol engines include the supercharged C180K (154bhp), the direct-injection C250 CGI (201bhp) and the 268bhp C320 V6. There are also four diesels: the C200 CDI (134bhp), C220 CDI (168bhp), C250 CDI (201bhp) and C350 CDI (221bhp). All are up to the job, but the C220 CDI strikes the best balance between speed, strength and affordability.

There are two versions of the C-Class, one geared towards comfort and the other to sportiness. Each has adaptive suspension that automatically reacts to road conditions, but Sport models have lower, stiffer settings and more direct steering. The result is a car that changes direction quickly and with less roll. However, the comfort-orientated cars still feel agile and offer a more supple, cosseting ride.

Some road noise filters through to the cabin over coarse surfaces. The smaller diesels can also sound a bit gruff when worked hard, but the C-Class is still a very refined motorway cruiser. The manual gearshift feels a little loose, but it's easy to live with, while the autos are silky smooth.

Any Mercedes is expensive to buy, but strong resale values help to make up for this. The diesels offer impressive fuel economy, but leasing rates are high and some key rivals have lower company car tax bills. Predictably, AMG models cost a fortune to run.

Most of the C-Class's dash is made from soft-touch plastics and the cabin has a solid feel. However, it doesn't feel as special as a Merc should. It certainly can't match a BMW 3 Series for attention to detail. Still, Mercedes performed well in our most recent reliability survey, and owners were generally positive in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey.

Seven airbags, including one to protect the driver's knees, are standard, and there's stability control to help you stay on the road. Options that have filtered down from bigger Mercedes include headlights that adjust their beam pattern to suit the road and features to brace you in the ideal position in an impending crash. Deadlocks are fitted as standard to keep thieves out.

The C-Class has chunky switchgear for the main heater and stereo functions, while a single rotary knob lets you scroll through on-screen menus to access minor systems (and optional extras such as the sat-nav). This arrangement dramatically reduces clutter, but you sometimes find your eyes wandering from the road to look at the screen. The driving position is fine and fully adjustable.

The C-Class can carry four adults in comfort, although the optional panoramic sunroof is best avoided because it eats into headroom. A hefty transmission tunnel makes life uncomfortable for any central rear passenger. The boot is one of the biggest in the class and is well shaped.

Entry-level SE trim comes with the basics, such as alloy wheels, climate control and a CD player. Elegance cars are more luxurious, getting wood trim and convenience features such as rain-sensing wipers. Sport models have lower suspension, a muscular bodykit and the Mercedes badge on the front grille rather than on the bonnet.