Luxurious, but worth it?

The new Mercedes C-Class has an overall classy and stylish look, but an average on-road performance makes this sedan somewhat flawed

The good
Inspired directly from the S-Class, the new Mercedes C-Class brings forward the three-pointed star manufacturer's latest design philosophy. It is highlighted through a prominent sporty grille comprising of an inserted star (Mercedes logo) and striking LED head lamp ­clusters, with day time running lights merging seamlessly into the side profile. A sharp edged line rising from the front to the rear door ­provides the sedan with a longer look. Tucked away below the rear bumper are exhausts that get better ­prominence due to the chrome treatment. Apart from this, the rear profile boosts of elegant tail lights and the overhang, which is distinctive in character.

Step inside and the cabin feels luxurious, with various ­elements on the dashboard. A large 8.4 inch TFT screen, three-circular AC vents and a waterfall inspired center-console bearing a glossy wood and aluminum finish around corners, gives the interiors quite a classy look. To top this, the brushed-aluminum switches provided on the ­console, further complement the cabin. Features like 3D ­navigation, touchpad in the center and the ambient lighting give a rich feel to the interiors. The seats in the front come with adjustable thigh-support, while there is good legroom with ­sufficient headroom at the rear.

The C-Class comes in two engine options — C 200 petrol and C 220 diesel. Both motors feel refined and come mated with a 7-speed automatic ­transmission. It offers 5 driving modes comprising of Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual, which lets you ­customise settings according to your needs. The car also comes with paddle-shifts as standard fitment. On the whole, the engine is pretty responsive — even at high speeds. Overall, this sedan is the best in ­comparison to its competition.

The bad
Speaking of the shortcomings, the rear seat does not offer enough thigh-­support. Another glaring flaw that restricts occupancy is the high central transmission tunnel, which makes the C-Class apt for four passengers only. Also, the diesel engine comes across as a bit noisy, which can be a downside.

The ugly
In the Sports+ mode, the power plant really comes to life, but the synchronization of the transmission is a bit abrupt. With every shift, either up or down, there is a noticeable jerk, which was not to our liking. Putting it aside, in the rest of the modes, the gearbox is a bit sloppy, as it takes its own time to get going. With a decent ride quality, the odd pothole on the road can become an issue, as the ­suspension could give away a loud thud sound.