Five-Point Inspection: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C400 4Matic

The W205 C-Class launched late last year with two engines to choose from: a turbocharged inline four-cylinder powerplant and a Biturbo V6. I drove the latter.

It offers 328 hp at 5,250 RPM and 354 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. In plain English, that means the V6 C-Class ought not to feel like it’s out of breath easily and I’m pleased to report that it doesn’t.

The boosted aluminum V6 doesn’t feel overwhelmingly powerful, but that’s what the soon-to-arrive C450 AMG Sport is for. It uses a re-tuned version of the same engine to offer more power and a more attainable option for someone who wants a sportier sedan without paying an all-out AMG entry fee.

But the point is that the C400 feels richly powerful without going too far.

Mercedes’ latest design language is one of amalgamation. Every sedan starting with the CLA250 – let’s cut the nonsense, it’s a sedan – all the way up to the vaunted S-Class look like little more than shrunken or expanded versions of the same vehicle. Now more than ever, the company seems to be encouraging its patrons to think of themselves as “Mercedes owners” rather than someone who drives a C-Class.

That’s good news for anyone looking at leasing or buying something at the lower end of the MB product line.

The trouble doesn’t really start until you sit down inside the new C400 or any of its siblings.

Its interior really is a huge step above the W204 generation, but there’s trouble on the horizon. Mercedes put its money on an infotainment display that sits atop the dash panel looking like a removable screen that is regrettably similar to something you might see in, say, the entire Mazda lineup.

Mind you, the similarity between those designs probably wouldn’t be nearly as apparent to someone who doesn’t spend 10 hours a day looking at and writing about cars. Translation: 99 percent of C-Class owners.

To them, the open pore wood veneer, aluminum trim and aesthetically pleasing interior design will be more than enough.

The wheelbase is three inches longer and 1.6 inches wider to offer more rear seat legroom and headroom, which is important because the C-Class doesn’t represent an entry point to Mercedes ownership in the U.S. anymore.

Trunk space is up to 17 cubic feet (37 percent more than before) as well. The new all-wheel drive V6 model is lighter than the model it is most comparable to, but only by 44 lbs although the company says the new model is up to 220 lbs lighter in certain configurations.

The fuel tank can hold up to 18 gallons, which is slightly larger than the old model. Combined with a more efficient powertrain and lower curb weight, the W205 should offer improved driving range as well.

This go-around you’re going to pay at least $49,515 for a V6 AWD C-Class. That’s a big jump over the 2015 C300 4Matic, which carried a starting MSRP of $40,325, but Mercedes is also including its “pre-safe” and “collision prevention assistance plus” systems as part of the standard equipment list this time. Last year that only came with the driver assistance package for an extra $2,950 that also added blind spot monitoring and an active lane keeping system that are both still extra-cost options.

The C400 4Matic also comes with standard LED headlights, heated seats and a premium Burmester sound system in place of the Harmon / Kardon system from last year.

Mind you, a model loaded with most of the options Mercedes offers will cost you roughly $61,500, no small sum once you realize that number is already almost $10,000 beyond the starting price of an E-Class. Just keep in mind that this is an all-new vehicle riding on a different platform with a new powertrain.

If you can afford to pay for it, the new car really is a huge improvement over the previous version. It makes better use of interior space, feels more refined and continues to feel like a luxury sedan.