Test Drive

Here are some words that describe our world today: snide,unforgiving and harsh. Fortunately, the new Mercedes-Benz C320doesn’t fit any of these criteria. However, it does fitthese: refined, passionate and powerful.

Starting with the outside of this German car, you’llnotice a body style that screams perfection. From the redesignedheadlights and sleek metallic paint, to the classic hood ornament,the C320 catches the eye. The standard 16-inch, seven-spoke wheelsadd a nice touch as well. Of course, the option to upgrade tofancier, polished 17-inch wheels is there (as well as many otheroptions).

Driving the C320 inspires a sense of relaxation and control. Thestout 3.2-liter V-6 engine, producing 215 horsepower and 221 lb.ft.of torque, provides plenty of power merging into heavy Dallastraffic. The motor has nothing shy of the perfect amount of poniesto get around town. After 3500 rpm, the C320 accelerates withurgency yet maintains its solid feel as a luxury car. Boasting aquite respectable time of 7.1 seconds from zero to 60 mph, the Benzmeans business.

The starting price for a Mercedes-Benz C320 is $37,600. However,the C-class lineup starts at $28,700. Considering the high-qualitybuild of the fine German sedan, the C320 is a good buy for themoney. It also has a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and 24-hourroadside assistance program that makes this the car a value.

Our test car came equipped with the 5-speed automatictransmission (6-speed manual is standard) that actually learns yourdriving characteristics. So, for those who have a heavy foot youcan be assured the intelligent transmission will adapt to your needfor speed. And, if you care to really romp on the fine German autoand remain in control, the Electronic Stability Program is there.Although if you want to push the C320 to the limit of handling,with the manual ESP turned off, the Benz will induce slightoversteer under hard cornering. This is mainly because the car isrear-wheel drive. To counter this, Mercedes-Benz includes as anoption for any non-AMG C-class their unique 4MATIC four-wheel drivesystem. Adding control and stability to the car in inclementconditions, 4MATIC adds an extra degree of safety that is necessaryfor the road.

Interior amenities are comfortable. The genuine leather seats,accompanied by awesome 10-way power adjustment in the front, makefor nice creature comforts. Hand-polished Laurel wood trim, digitaldual-zone climate control (that means the driver is separate fromthe passenger), and a 10-speaker Bose digital sound system withAudioPilot (sound level lowers when you come to a stop) defineluxury in the Benz. It is hard to think of anything that is reallymissing in the C320. Even the electronic rear windshield sunprotector comes standard. The digital mileage, check engine light,time and temperature readout is a sweet little function, sittingright in the middle of the driver’s console, constantlyupdating the driver with important information about the car. Legand head room in the C-class is more than adequate, offering theability for a full-sized male to comfortably sit in the rearseats.

Saving the most important part of this test for last, safety inthe Mercedes is unsurpassed. Protecting its passengers from harm inthe case of an accident are eight air bags. As well, headprotection curtains deploy from above the side windows to protectfrom glass in the case of a side impact. All four wheels are in thecompany of stout ABS-equipped disc brakes. As we had a chance totest the car in the rain, the braking package is exceptional.Weighing in at a solid 3,280 pounds, the C320 feels firm andwell-built, providing qualities one would want in the case of anaccident.

You are probably wondering if there are any complaints about thecar. Well , small side mirrors and the location of the turnindicator are our complaints, if they can even be calledcomplaints. However, visibility and road noise for long road tripshome (not all of us are from Dallas) are minimal in the C.

Our three-day test yielded no substantivedisappointments.We’ll go ahead and give it four and a halfstars.

Steve Hinterkopf also contributed to this report.