Mercedes-Benz C180 2004 Review

I'm not saying that for $56,000 the entry-level Benz C180 is cheap, merely that it's as cheap as an Australian luxury car – such as a Statesman or Fairlane – and possibly has more street cred.

Of course, the C180 isn't an executive express like the two Aussie cars. It will seat four adults with sufficient room, has a decent boot and its relatively compact dimensions give it excellent zip through city streets.

What impressed me the most was simply the way this car did its job.

It is ridiculously easy to drive – though seeing a foot-operated park brake again almost pushed my blood level into unmanned territory – and has exceptionally confident road manners.

Though some earlier baby Benz models were a bit shy of features – certainly less than the price tag would imply – the latest versions are well kitted. Even the interiors are pleasant and imbue a sense of quality, though the leather-look upholstery really is leather look. It's actually vinyl.

Standard features include CD player, electric everything, leather-rimmed steering wheel, vanity mirrors for driver and passenger, timber-look trim and so on. As you would expect, there is a heavy accent on safety with the C180 Kompressor coming with six airbags and a flotilla of electronic driving aids such as ABS brakes, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.

The feeling of solidity on the road is forged from a rigid body.

Add to that some well-tuned suspension pieces and slot in the supercharged four-cylinder engine with a five-speed auto and you have the ingredients for an interesting sports-oriented sedan.

Unfortunately, while there's all the ingredients, the cook hasn't followed the recipe.

Because, in this case, performance isn't what the C180 is all about. The supercharger is there to get the modest 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine up to sufficient power to move the whole package along at a respectable rate.

That it does, though despite all the promise, the engine is only fractionally more powerful than that in a standard Corolla.

For buyers of this car, the performance would be more than adequate.

The engine is a little rough down in the lower revs and, from outside at least, idles like a diesel. Yet everyone is oblivious within the cabin.

The car is serene in its movements, feels nimble and lively from behind the wheel and shows immense promise without needing to deliver anything but the image of that three-pointed star on the bonnet.

It is very comfortable – recently Merc changed the seat design from park bench timber to firm foam rubber – and gives the impression that it has significant durability to last for a few decades.

As a car with class, it's about as budget motoring as you can get.

Just don't expect to win any traffic light drags.