2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes offers a Sport Package to enhance the C’s style and driving dynamics, now standard on C300 models, that includes a sport grille with integrated star, AMG front and rear aprons and side skirts, 17-inch rims, a tuned suspension, upgraded brake calipers, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals, while RWD C300s can also get the Dynamic Handling Package, standard on the C350, which lets the driver set up damping, steering, throttle response and gear change speeds from comfort to sporting levels. Other 2009 model year upgrades include an optional harmon/kardon Logic7 surround sound audio system that’s clear and sharp yet warm and rich, while the COMAND APS infotainment system is relatively easy to use as far as these types of user interfaces are concerned. A rearview mirror compass is now standard too, a handy item, while burl walnut wood trim is available across the range. Pretty well everything else is carryover, being that the C was totally updated last year, and this is just fine with me, as I reiterate, it sits atop the pack as one of the segment’s best.

A few standard C230 items that deserve mention include dual-zone automatic climate control, hill-start assist, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, two-stage rain-sensing wipers, heated windshield washer system, eight-way power front seats, Artico leather upholstery, SmartKey proximity sensing keyless entry, and the requisite M-B first-aid kit. Move up to the C300 and 17-inch wheels get added, a standard sport suspension, six-CD/MP3 audio, AMG styling package, bi-Xenon headlamps with washers and cornering lights, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats, split-folding rear seats, standard glossy burl walnut trim, the three-spoke sport steering wheel, and a power sunroof. C350s get 18-inch alloy alloys, three-zone automatic climate control, electronic compass, the harmon/kardon stereo, Sirius satellite radio, ten-way power seats with three-position memory, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a garage door opener. RWD C350s add the Dynamic Handling Package plus wheel-mounted shift paddles. And lastly, the C63 comes standard with 18-inch AMG rims, an AMG sport suspension, AMG Nappa leather upholstery, plus really cool black bird’s-eye maple trim, but the climate control system goes down to dual-zone and top-tier harmon/kardon audio system is optional. Other options that can be added on just about any C include a navigation system, powered rear window sunshade and a panoramic glass sunroof.