First drive Mercedes C-Class

THE Mercedes C-Class is one of the most popular premium compact saloons on sale, going up against the likes of the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. In fact, it’s

Mercedes’ bestselling model – the German manufacturer registered 46,000 of them in 2017. To keep things current, the C-Class has been refreshed for 2018, ensuring it remains competitive against several capable rivals. We try it in C200 form, which uses a 1.5-litre petrol motor and something called EQ Boost technology (more on this later).

The 2018 model has been updated with a variety of new functions and touches. In AMG Line, as our test car was, you get a full exterior body styling package, heated sports seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the biggest change is the inclusion of a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, which is superbly clear and elevates the entire look of

This can be combined with the optional 12.3-inch digital cockpit screen to create a really good-looking system – though not quite as pretty as the fully widescreen version you’ll find in E and A-Class models. It also costs £2795 extra and has to be specified as part of Mercedes’ ‘Premium package’.

As we mentioned, this C200 uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine to send to – in this case – all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s also available with rear-wheel-drive. Peak power output is 182bhp, and you get a useful