C200 prices start at around £29,000 with base 'SE' trim; around £1,300 more gets you plusher 'SE Executive' spec and if you can afford a touch more, there are further 'Sport' and 'AMG Line' specs to consider. Overall, you're looking at a saving of around £1,700 over the equivalent 136hp C200d diesel. As usual, there's also an estate variant. Either way, if you go for top 'AMG Line' trim, there's the option of '4MATIC' 4WD for just under £2,000 more. Mercedes also offers the C-Class in Coupe and Cabriolet guises, but it's the four-door and station wagon derivatives that are our focus here.
As for equipment, well that's more generous than it used to be. Media connectivity will be important to likely customers, so every C-Class comes as standard with an 'Audio 20' multimedia system featuring two USB ports, an SD card reader, Bluetooth connection and media interface. Many though will want to upgrade to the 10.25-inch 'COMAND Online' centre-dash screen that boasts fast 3D hard-disc navigation and access to a Concierge service that'll connect you through to help with every aspect of your journey. This can connect into a 12.3-inch digital cockpit display. Plus there are now two optional audio upgrade choices - a 9-speaker 225-watt set-up and the top Burmester surround sound system. Safety-wise, 'Active Brake Assist' autonomous braking is standard. And there's an optional 'Driving Assistance' package that delivers the 'Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC' system enabling 'level 2' autonomous driving capability.