For the C-class buyer seeking a little addition through subtraction, there’s a lot to like about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic coupe, from its sharp lines to its tidy interior. Like most Benzes these days, the car has two different characters: There’s the lope along with traffic and around town economy mode, and the run-what-ya-brung sport mode that amps up everything about the car. With a push of a button, the drive becomes much more engaging, almost demanding that the driver sit up, take notice, grab the wheel with both hands and click up and down through the gears via the paddle shifters to get the most out of every moment. And then, just as suddenly, everything settles back down into a docile “E” mode, where a prod of the accelerator doesn’t provoke the same response and the tendency is to take it easy in the slower lane.
Either way you take your C-class coupe, it’s a pleasant driver — though I suspect some might find the suspension a shade high strung. Steering is moderately weighted, brakes are strong and body motion is well controlled. There’s nothing awe-inspiring here, but nothing that’s going to surprise a driver in a bad way either.
The car’s supple, supportive seats and comfortable driving position give me the impression one could drive for miles without fatigue. And look quite dashing while doing it.
This particular coupe feels like a nicely balanced car that you can hustle with some agility, much more like a BMW 3-series than any small Benz I can remember (which, if memory serves, used to feel quite a bit more mushy than this) and it still has the Benz smoothness. I think this latest-generation C is in the running for most improved compared to the car it replaces.
My evening experience included a relaxed, quiet commute home from the office, followed by dinner out with the family. My father sat shotgun, (the car was a little low for his taste) and my fiancé climbed into the back. This is a personal luxury coupe, but my passengers had enough room and were reasonably comfortable. The next morning I braved a cool, wet drive in, and the AWD added peace of mind when I navigated unexpected standing water at 60 mph on the expressway. The low-to-the-ground presence was helpful, too, as I had solid view of the road ahead of me, which was strewn with accidents and pockmarked by dramatic splashes from merging traffic. With the light dim and spray omnipresent, visibility was at a minimum, but the Benz brought me into work in safety and comfort.
The engine is strong. As Raynal notes, this throttle seems better calibrated than the lagging, mushy execution of old. The chassis is tight, sporty, and might even be too taut for some customers. The cabin is quiet, with a gorgeous extended sunroof which drew praise from passengers. The dials in front are easy to read and sharp, sticking out from the staid cabin materials. Most will like this setting.
The luxury coupe segment is crowded and competitive. Cadillac’s CTS coupe, BMW’s 3-series, Audi’s A5 and others bring excellent entries. The C-class will appeal to the Mercedes faithful, and by marketing some of the features and technology, could land punches against its rivals.
