2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 (Photo supplied)

Vehicle: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Base price: $47,900

Options: Cubanite Silver metallic paint, $890; black leather interior, $2,500; and premium package, $4,600.

When many drivers sit in the Mercedes-Benz C350, it wouldn't be outlandish for them to think they've arrived even before the engine gets switched on.

Simply put, this car is a solid contender. Once the entry-level, affordable Mercedes for many who dreamed of driving an S-Class, buyers of the upgraded C-Class are no longer settling. And let's be clear here, while the C-Class was the poor cousin to the top tier S-Class, it was never akin to driving a Kia.

But after a few years of living in the shadow of its main competitors, which include the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Jaguar X-Type, and Lexus IS 350, Mercedes has shot back across their bows with a well-thought out response.

The C350 can't match the ponies offered by its rivals, but the 3.5-litre V-6 puts out a respectable 268 hp at 6,000 rpm and gets to 100 kilometres per hour in six seconds.

But what it lacks in punch under the hood compared to its rivals, it makes up in a classy look and style.

The sweeping curves of its body look slippery, and the car radiates confidence just sitting in the driveway. The large three-pointed star integrated into the grill replaces the old hood mounted trademark and gives the car character. Somehow, this C350 wouldn't look right with the older style star. The car also comes with an AMG-style front apron, side skirts and rear apron, and 17-inch twin spoke alloy wheels.

Get in and the attention to detail quickly shines through. The steering wheel feels just right in the hand and all the controls are easily within reach. The black bird's-eye maple wood trim is a nice touch. One thing that needs a change here is the side-to-side manual shift feature. Perhaps it's just the driver, but anything that doesn't work just like a sequential racing gearbox (pull back to upshift and push forward to downshift) simply doesn't feel natural.

The console with the entertainment unit is a bit busy with numerous buttons and controls for the various systems. Seriously, a read of the owner's manual is a must, but once things are straight, it's all very intuitive.

The sunroof stretches from front to back, allowing passengers in the rear to star gaze if necessary. The passenger compartment has ample headroom, even for the driver who feels tall in the saddle of the C350. The sleek design makes for no worries of blind spots created by large supports, such as those beside the driver's head.

And no tummy crunches are necessary to adjust the 10-way power adjustable front seats with three-position memory, since the controls are mounted on the door at shoulder level. The heated seats are ample and comfortable.

The attractive aluminum instrument panel in the dash screams refinement, while the racing-style pedals offer the driver a tiny taste of what Canadian Bruno Spengler must feel in the AMG C-Class he drives in the German DTM touring car series. Well, maybe not, but the car handles twisty roads with ease and cruises effortlessly on highways.

In casual city driving, its seven-speed automatic transmission makes the car feel almost like it has no gears at all. Come to think of it, the C350's insulation makes the engine hardly audible.

The C350 has scarce options available, not because Mercedes hasn't thought of goodies to add to its vehicles, but mostly because almost everything is standard equipment on this car, even a first-aid kit tucked into a compartment in the trunk.

One notable feature is the harman/kardon Logic7 surround sound system with in-dash, MP3-compatible CD-changer that rivals almost any home theatre set up. Its luxurious bass and ample range can handle just about anything. The system also plays DVDs, but only when the car is not moving. SIRIUS Satellite Radio is also included.

As it happened, the car was tested in a week where the city received a large dump of snow. This turned out to be one area where the C350 did not excel. Getting the power down in the snow took a light touch and the car simply did not instill confidence in slippery conditions. It may have simply been due to a lack of snow boots, but it could be argued that the C350 might not be the best candidate for tough winter driving.

Overall, the C350 offers terrific value, even at a price tag that edges toward $50,000.

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By Jeff Pappone

Special to the OBJ