Like the Hatfields and McCoys, or Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series are locked in an ongoing struggle.
The two will trade salvos for a lifetime, but by our eyes, the Merc is better looking, the BMW is a better track performer.
Which is better depends on what you're looking for.
The Audi A4 is very good (and actually rated higher) thanks to its great safety record and dizzying technology.
The Cadillac ATS aged in a hurry, and base models are well behind the curve at this point.
The Lexus IS doesn't have a thrilling base powertrain, but looks sharp and drives well.
The Infiniti Q50 is an outlier, with plenty of creature comforts, but perhaps not the same performance pedigree.
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 2017 Mercedes-Benz C ClassBrowse Used Listings |  2018 INFINITI Q50Browse Used Listings |  2017 Audi A4Browse Used Listings |  2017 BMW 3-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Cadillac ATSBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Lexus ISBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class adds to the impressive roster with a convertible version this year and a newly minted AMG C43 version. Bavaria is even better now. |
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 is powerful, well-equipped luxury sedan that doesn't quite match up to Germany's finest yet. |
The 2017 Audi A4 advances its sport-sedan credentials in lots of incremental ways, but the virtual cockpit drops the digital mic. |
The 2017 BMW M3 is a track-ready sports sedan with an unblemished pedigree that announces to the world: "Ask me what DTM means." |
A legitimate sports car in a sedan or coupe body, the 2017 Cadillac ATS-V rewards drivers with exceptionally polished handling and performance, making it truly in the league with Germany's best. |
The 2017 Lexus IS gets a new face and more advanced safety features that help it become a viable rival to German and American competitors. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $39,500 | $35,200 | $34,900 | $33,450 | $34,595 | $37,825 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 17 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| C 300 Sedan with Sport Pkg | 2.0t PURE RWD | 2.0 TFSI Automatic ultra Premium Plus FWD | 320i Sedan | 4-Door Sedan 2.0L RWD | IS Turbo F Sport RWD |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C Class vs. 2018 INFINITI Q50 | 2017 Mercedes-Benz C Class vs. 2017 Audi A4 | 2017 Mercedes-Benz C Class vs. 2017 BMW 3-Series | 2017 Mercedes-Benz C Class vs. 2017 Cadillac ATS | 2017 Mercedes-Benz C Class vs. 2017 Lexus IS | |
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