Mercedes-Benz C-Class Pre Model 180 BlueEFFICIENCY SE 4dr Car Review - February 2012

The 1.8 litre petrol engine gives 154bhp and 184lb-ft of torque. This gives a 0-62mph time of 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.

This car was built using high tech methods. The C-Class is the first car that was designed and developed using a digital prototype. Tests such as road noise and vibration were simulated on the computer model before the car was built. Then the C-Class underwent epic road testing, doing 15 million miles. But all those miles have paid off, as the data from the tests was used to great effect. To say the ride is comfortable is an understatement. Both front and rear passengers will enjoy long and short journeys thanks to the car's superior comfort. As well as being incredibly comfy, it also handles very well thanks to the suspension/damping package which adjusts the suspension depending on the road surface.

This SE model has the classic Mercedes bonnet-mounted badge and has a more conservative look when compared to the Sports model. It may be subtle, but people will know what you are driving, and probably be impressed. This model is longer and wider than its predecessors.

When you get in this car you can feel the luxury. The materials used are of a very high quality and the fit and finish are impeccable. Every box is ticked here and everything has been thought about, making the whole interior look and feel great. Little details like finger grooves set into the interior door handles and the dial illumination are sure to impress.

Kit wise you get: two-zone climate control, front fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, cruise control, Sat-nav, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, and electric windows.

There is easily room for five in this car and the boot can hold 475 litres which is sufficient for luggage. The cabin is roomy and there is plenty of storage space in the front and rear of the cabin.

Mercedes has a good reputation for reliability. Rigorous road testing of this model should have ironed out any potential problems. The car feels very well built and solid. It comes with a 3 year warranty so should any problems arise it shouldn’t be too big of a problem.

The C-Class scored five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests and comes with an impressive range of safety equipment including seven airbags, including one to protect the driver’s left knee, brake lights that flash if you brake at speeds over 30mph and PRE-SAFE which co-ordinates driver aids in advance of a crash.

This is the cheapest C-Class currently on offer, costing £26,025. It offers remarkable value for money considering its decent range of standard equipment but it is slightly more expensive than its rivals from Audi and BMW.

The C-Class 180 BlueEFFICIENCY SE returns 42.4mpg and emits 157g/km of CO2 putting it in tax band G. The diesel is a much more economical proposition than this petrol variant and, in this day and age, a diesel engine makes more sense in a car of this size anyway.

Mercedes depreciate very slowly indeed and, providing you spec your car well, your C-Class will hold on to its money for a long time.