Mercedes-Benz C-Class C180 CGI BlueEfficiency 7G-Tronic Review: Executive decision

What we like:

Audi: Sporty looks

quality interior

strong mid-range performance

more refined motor than the Merc’s Mercedes-Benz: Direct steering

balanced dynamics

prestige of the three-pointed star

What we dislike:

Audi: Unresponsive CVT box

can do with more steering feel Mercedes-Benz: Engine can be more refined

not as roomy as the Audi inside

unresponsive throttle

There’s a timeless appeal to the A4’s cabin and it’s no bad thing that Audi has changed little of it for the update. These minor changes include a new steering wheel, column stalks from the A6, chrome-trimmed switches for a classier look while the ergonomics for the MMI infotainment system have been significantly improved. An especially interesting detail is the incorporation of the forward and rewind track functions onto the volume knob next to the gear lever, thus the deletion of additional buttons that previously performed these functions.

The C-Class’s facelift last year saw a heavily tweaked interior that not only improved ergonomics but overall quality as well. Just like in the A4, the C-Class’s display screen for its COMAND infotainment system sits proudly high up in the middle of the dash. The cabin feels very well screwed together and the surfaces feel good to the touch.

If the C-Class’s cabin is good, the A4’s even more impressive. It looks and feels classier inside the A4 and the materials and finishing are just top notch. The test car came with Audi’s superb Beaufort Oak layered wood inlays to further lift cabin ambience as well as perceived luxury.

Despite the updates, the Audi’s MMI system is not as intuitive to use as the latest generation iDrive or the MMI in the new A6 but is at least easier to tune the radio in here than with the C-Class’s COMAND knob.

With a 48mm longer wheelbase, the Audi offers slightly more legroom for rear passengers. The A4 also has the more comfortable rear seat as well. When it comes to boot space, the A4’s more generous exterior dimensions once again means that the C-Class lacks behind slightly in this area. The Merc scores highly on minor storage spaces though – there are storage compartments under the front seats, a sunglasses compartment on the driver’s side and so on.

Without the 3 Series in this test, we won’t know if the C-Class or the A4 is the undisputed champ of the junior executive class. But we certainly can conclude for this test that the A4 is more convincing than the C-Class in many areas like styling, interior, refinement, perceived quality and engine performance. The A4 is not perfect – the sluggish multitronic gearbox is a big spoiler and the Merc is still the better all-rounder and has an arguably stronger brand image in the Singapore market. There’s just so much to love about the A4 in the areas that it shines in that it’ll certainly pose the biggest threat to the BMW 3 Series in this highly competitive class.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai