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Test: Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI 4matic – five views of the shining star

Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI 4matic

With its recent launch, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class thoroughly shuffled the cards in the segment and rightly struck fear into the competition's bones. The designer Robert Lešnik and the engineers succeeded in reducing the size of the S class sedan, offering all its charm and limousine comfort in a smaller package, as well as at a more acceptable price. The new C actually works like a smaller S, which can only be considered a plus.

Mercedes C-Class so we don't need to introduce it in particular, because it is also Slovenian the audience quick took as his own. Given the modest sales figures of the shrinking segment, it would be hard to call it love, but we can already see it on the roads and people are wherever it appears after him also they turn with advantage. In order to package the test a little differently than usual, we "shared" the car with people of different ages and social positions. The purpose of this was to show their perception of this prestigious vehicle, which, with rare exceptions, also left an extremely positive impression on us.

The exterior image of the new generation baby eS resembles the largest domestic limousine more than ever before, which can only be considered a plus.
The exterior image of the new generation baby eS resembles the largest domestic limousine more than ever before, which can only be considered a plus.

Luka, 35 years old, self-employed: "as the owner of an equally large vehicle from a competing brand, I must say that the new C really surprised me from a design point of view. Germanic calmness is put in the background in this model, replaced by beauty and many lines, which years ago you could only dream of with the three-pointed star. But he confused me increased ground clearance, because of which, ob 19-inch rims the car looks a bit strange. In my opinion, the limousine should be closer to the ground, and given the sportiness of the tester (engine, drivetrain), it should also be and operate lower."

One of the nice details is the signature of one of the founders of the brand on the windshield. But all this has its price.
One of the nice details is the signature of one of the founders of the brand on the windshield. But all this has its price.

"My note or assessment is also similar about the interior, as it is light years ahead of its predecessor and other German competitors, and leaves far behind in terms of feelings (prestige and reputation). Above all, I was positively surprised that even with the basic versions, they look much more polished and prestigious than the "naked" versions of the Audi A4 or even more so the BMW 3 series. Regarding sound insulation also pluses themselves, especially since it is engine well heard on the outside and in my opinion not polished enough. In terms of driving characteristics, I also welcome the progress, because despite the 4matic drivetrain, it still feels like a rear-wheel drive car. The price was expected, but the price with accessories is still a bit too salty for my taste, and I would definitely ask the dealer about a discount, or I could easily leave some of the equipment on the list of additional payments."

The interior is characterized by extremely precise workmanship, a sense of detail and high-quality and selected materials. The C-Class is definitely a concept in the segment of sports sedans.
The interior is characterized by extremely precise workmanship, a sense of detail and high-quality and selected materials. The C-Class is definitely a concept in the segment of sports sedans.

Franc, 58 years old, retired: " The design of the new C really surprised me, as Mercedes have always been considered to be angular classic limousines, which had a specific place on the market and structure of buyers. I personally was never convinced, partly because of the price, but the new C definitely works better than the previous models, although even with that, my purchase is still not, I don't know how likely. The seating is still fairly low and entry is difficult, a small thing they mess up also small door and trunk openings, which, in my opinion, is the result of the dynamic and non-angular shape."

"The passenger cabin offers a lot of nice details both to look and feel, the filigree precision and attention to detail should be praised, where I would point out the respectable closure of the covered storage areas, the appearance of chrome switches that do not work cheaply and although I am not a fan of imitation wood, this one in the C -looks great to you. The entire interior looks polished and prestigious and will remain so even after years of use. Smallness only disturbs the size and in general layout of the central screen, as this one has a big hem and could be bigger. The competition, even the cheaper one, offers this. I would not comment on the final price, as all models in this price range are too expensive anyway. Oh, I just (commented) on it. Let it stay, because it holds."

The central screen could also be larger in diameter due to the large bezel. Here, even the much cheaper competition offers larger "screens".
The central screen could also be larger in diameter due to the large bezel. Here, even the much cheaper competition offers larger "screens".

Jure, 41 years old, businessman, passenger: "Mercedes have always been considered highway cruisers, where you arrived at your destination the most rested, and in that regard, no prestigious brand could come close to it. As a businessman who is on the road a lot, this is extremely important, and although when you go on a business trip you have to take whatever is in the fleet, this decision would be much easier if it included the new C. When driving with them, I must admit that I am even more convinced of high level of limousine comfort, where it seems that there are little gnomes eating at the chassis and suspension, who always take care of the best possible settings of both and the optimal well-being of the passengers."

READ MORE: Mercedes' renaissance spring - presentation of the new C-Class

On the AC, the new C seems to be floating on an inflated cushion, and the excellence of the aforementioned is eloquently testified by the fact that even the 19-inch rims with low cross-sectional tires. Regarding consumption and the fact that the tester was reinforced with automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, I can also write only praise, because even at higher speeds, you can hardly find yourself in seven liters, while saving and you six it doesn't escape.

The center controller looks great and handling is quick and easy after getting used to it.
The center controller looks great and handling is quick and easy after getting used to it.

Irma, 38 years old, lawyer: "The new C is finally a Mercedes, except classes A and B, which I would also have. It looks very good, and it is easy to use, and even with such power, I would feel confident driving it. Only gear lever position the automatic transmission, which is otherwise very smooth, confused me, because somehow it "doesn't pull" for me. I liked the user interface in the middle between the seats, it looks very nice and once you get used to it, it's easier to use than the classic buttons. But it is only a sedan C conditionally usable for family use, because the trunk does not excel in terms of spaciousness, and it is also severely limited by the size of the opening, so the larger one is there stroller you can only get rid of it with a lot of training, and sometimes also pain.”

In the second row, passengers are greeted with a similar level of comfort as in the first row, only in terms of knee space, it still cannot compete with the record holder in the form of superb damage.
In the second row, passengers are greeted with a similar level of comfort as in the first row, only in terms of knee space, it still cannot compete with the record holder in the form of superb damage.

"I would rate the appearance as a five, because it looks great from any angle, except for the rear part which requires getting used to." The rear lights could also be a little wider, I think it would look even better that way. Maybe they were saving it for the facelift (laughs). Eh, when they mentioned the price, I became a fan of smaller Mercedes models again, that is, classes A and B, because it is so much money for such a "small" car. Maybe my assessment of this would be a little different if it was about caravan. See you again when you test this one (smile).”

The shape of the rear, and especially the rear lights, "dictates" the size of the trunk opening, which is smaller due to the "sexiness" and consequently affects the usability of the trunk.
The shape of the rear, and especially the rear lights, "dictates" the size of the trunk opening, which is smaller due to the "sexiness" and consequently affects the usability of the trunk.

Miha, 34, automotive journalist: "Baby eS, as the journalists call him, has definitely progressed. There is no doubt about it. Both in terms of design and content, the competition will have a lot of work to do. Class C convinces both with external refinement, which added a significant amount of sportiness to it, and inside everything is created in such a way that it works beautifully and of high quality, and regardless of the equipment version, it is prestigious. I have to praise the appearance of the center console and door trims, as well as rich ambient lighting, which illuminates everything possible at night, very discreetly and prestigiously. I still praise artico imitation leather, which even in lower-priced versions offers an almost essential level of comfort for Mercedes models. In addition, the tester also had seats with adjustable seat part, which is also a plus, but looking at the price of the tester, you would still expect real leather. At the same time, I must mention that everything works even better in combination with bright upholstery, and for the first time, the buyer can also combine the exterior look (and decide, for example, on avant-garde or AMG line equipment), while inside he chooses classic elegance in the form of the package of the same name. Really worthy of praise.”

From the side, it's really not easy to tell whether the eS or the new C class is standing in front of you.
From the side, it's really not easy to tell whether the eS or the new C class is standing in front of you.

"Also while driving is C acquired, as it drives more dynamically, but still smoothly, but despite this, it cannot connect and follow the Bavarian competitor on closed road sections. Don't get me wrong, the approximation is obvious, but the difference still remains. Maybe it lacks a little because of the automatic transmission, which, although it is smooth and shifts almost imperceptibly, is not the fastest, and the same applies to handling, since the steering mechanism of the aforementioned competitor is even more precise. Hats off to consumption. 4 nut drive we also recommend it, because even with it it hasn't lost its much-loved agility and that rear-wheel drive feel. The price it is suitable for the segment and the brand, so buyers have to deal wisely with a significantly longer list of extras than with its predecessor. However, considering the price, the tester lacked more advanced technology, or assistance systems."

Info Box

More information about the model at:
www.mercedes-benz.si/novi_razredC

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