The newest Mercedes-Benz is also the automaker’s lowest priced car. Debuting with a suggested retail price of $24,950, the C230 puts the German automaker in the near-luxury segment. Although the sports coupe has immense acceleration sizzle via a supercharged 192 horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s matched to a fantastic 6-speed manual transmission, the C230 exposes some lackluster design details: a driver’s seat adjuster that continually nips the lower leg, a severe shortage of headroom for tall people, too much black ‘blah’ on the instrument panel, and an occasional rainbow-effect rear window distortion most noticeable when doing rearview mirror checks.

C230 coupe presents plenty of ‘done right’ aspects: all sorts of airbags (including a side curtain that spans front to rear), the ESP stability control system, a pullover concealed pop-up cupholder in the center console, and headlights that can be set for automatic engagement. The coupe, even with its on-command jet speed, nails decent mileage counts at 19 city/29 highway. C230 definitely earns its stripes in the handling category, due in part to an integral rear spoiler that creates down-force as speed increases and an encapsulated underbody that aids in reducing lift-forces.
auto reviews, automotive reviews, gmc, suzuki, honda, chrysler, chevrolet, ford, oldsmobile, buick, pontiac, vw, lexus, mercedes benz, bmw, jeep, kia, saturn, dodge, chevy, cars, daimlerchrysler, gm, cadillac