Mercedes-Benz C-class review - Can it take on the mighty 3-series? - Interior and Tech

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the fit and finish of the C-class cabin, this is an interior from the top drawer. Some won’t like the vaguely aftermarket look of the display screen perched on the dash and there are one or two unusual ergonomics.

Mercedes insists on a column-shift for automatics, which clusters a number of stalks to the left of the steering wheel where it can be all too easy to go for cruise control instead of the indicators. However, it’s spacious and comfortable, while the estate can carry 490- to 1510 litres of luggage (seats up/down).

In addition to the basic specifications, there are some sub-trims. SE buyers can bundle the Executive pack onto their cars for £995. This chucks in a Garmin navigation, heated front seats and the same 40:20:40 split rear bench for the saloon as found in the estate. The wagon also gets chrome roof rails. Sport and AMG Line customers who choose automatics have two packages available: Premium and Premium Plus.

The former comprises Keyless Go with entry and exit, memory front seats and a panoramic glass sunroof for £1595. The Premium Plus has all of that, as well as a Burmester surround sound system and Comand Online with an 8.4-inch colour display and 3D satnav graphics. This isn’t cheap, though, at £2,795.