2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class PREMIUM PLUS PACKAGE / ZERO ACCIDE...

This 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 4Matic Premium Plus has the perfect balance of performance, comfort, technology and luxury. Its design, technology and very essence are derived from the S-Class, Mercedes’ nearly 6-figure flagship. The C-Class is far more attainable, and if the S-Class shouts that its driver has made it, this one says theirs is getting there. Against its BMW 3 Series archrival, the C-Class tends to have slightly softer manners, but is still impressively athletic when pushed. Equally notable are the C-Class’ roster of tech/safety features and amenities, right down to the interior fragrance system that broke ground in the latest S-ClassThe C-Class drives with a similar stateliness as its E-Class and S-Class brothers, but in smaller, nimbler form. While comfort and quiet are top of mind, the C-Class is easy to hustle. In fact, the 2018 C-Class is beguilingly quick, and its turbocharged 4-cylinder feels more powerful than its stated 241 horsepower. With the new 9-speed transmission, the C300 now runs to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, 2/10ths of a second quicker than last year. And while we’ve had our issues with 9-speed automatic transmissions in other cars, in the C-Class we didn’t experience any hesitancy or refinement issues. Various drive modes are on top via the Dynamic Select dial, and they truly change the personality of the car, with the Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes doing justice to their names in both acceleration and cornering dynamics. (There’s also an Eco mode for the efficiency-minded.) Speaking of fuel economy, the C-Class is fitted with a stop/start system that cuts engine power at idle. If you’re like us and have qualms with the engine shutting down and abruptly restarting, know the system can be turned offFew other words suffice when it comes to describing the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class interiors, especially on the heels of the former generation, which had more of a cold, clinical demeanor. The C-Class is available with an attractive array of wood and aluminum finishes, and a relatively clutter-free layout that manages to still feel elegant. Central to the de-cluttering is a simple rotary dial and optional touch pad that respond to gestural inputs, swipes and handwriting. Adding to the upscale feel is an available Air Balance Package with a fragrance diffuser that atomizes perfume into the air-conditioning system. Pragmatically, rear-seat legroom can be tight for taller passengers, and coupe and convertible model trade the sedan’s 3-passenger bench for a pair of more sculpted seats.The C-Class’ elegant interior isn’t its only correlation to the S-Class. Like that flagship, the C-Class is curvy, bold and beautiful. Thanks to its smaller proportions, you could say it’s even more purposeful. The 2-door versions of the C-Class, in the form of the coupe and cabriolet, have their own sense of style, with the coupe looking particularly strong.