Honda Accord Or Nissan Altima: Which One Does V-6 Better?
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PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
The C350 feels particularly punchy in the low and mid range, where the 300 needs to be rung a bit.
Motor Trend
The C-Class definitely leans towards the comfortable side of the handling equation. That being said, the C350 will dance if you tempt it.
Winding Road
The back seat is a bit tight for an adult, though there’s plenty of room in the trunk for cargo.
AutoWeek
The variable speed assist power steering feels weighty in your hands, but also just right.
Detroit News
Although Mercedes-Benz has done an excellent job of refining automatic transmissions to give a near-manual transmission feel, it still masks the engine performance behind torque converter softness.
CNET
The C300 gets its motivation from a 3.0-liter V-6, and is available only as a sedan in 4MATIC all-wheel drive, again with a seven-speed automatic. At 228 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, it's also sporty enough, though those after more potent acceleration will want to opt for the C350 or C63 AMG Coupe.
The C350 gets its go from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. At 5.9-seconds to 60 mph, it's quick, but not shockingly so. Like its stablemates, the rear-drive C350 is available only with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Stepping up to the AMG sub-brand, the C63 Coupe gets to 60 mph in a very brisk 4.4 seconds thanks to a 451-horsepowe, 443-pound-foot 6.2-liter V-8 engine. It's not all about straight-line performance, however, with a highly tuned suspension that raises the C63's performance to something on par with the class benchmark, the BMW M3.
That's not to say the standard C Class coupes and sedans aren't fun-to-drive, too. The C250, in particular, punches above its weight in this regard thanks to a lighter, more nimble feeling. The C350 is better regarded as a quick touring sedan, or grand tourer in Coupe form.
Despite their performance, only the C63 AMG gives up comfort in its quest to tame the twistier bits of tarmac.
Conclusion
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C Class range offers several degrees of sportiness, with the C63 AMG reaching truly track-worthy heights.
