24/02/10

Quality image, superb driving responses and top-class cabins lift our choices here firmly above the rest1 Mercedes-Benz C-class
Prices £23,475-£51,890
This marks a return to form for Mercedes after a few years when it took a beating because its cars weren’t as well built as the competition's. This C-class feels utterly solid and planted on the road in a way no other make can. It feels ripe for decades of use. Previous Cs felt dull to drive, particularly if you’d just stepped into one from a BMW 3-series. No more: the latest one has an alertness and delicacy of control that runs the BMW close. And, unlike the old model, the manual gearshift is excellent. The engine in the entry-level petrol car is a cracker, zesty but also very refined. The cheapest diesel is smooth and economical, too. The C-class is also very practical, thanks to its spacious cabin and big, boxy boot.
Verdict ****

To read motors.co.uk's road test of the Mercedes-Benz C-class and watch our video verdict, click here

2 BMW 3-series
Prices £22,155-£37,950
Blessed with sharp, communicative steering, strong brakes and a responsive chassis, it’s still the better than the rest to drive. This BMW is an accomplished long-distance cruiser. Engines in the latest cars are also among the cleanest and most economical you’ll find but they still push out ample power. Manual and automatic gearboxes are both good. Unlike previous 3s, cabin space is ample, particularly for rear-seat passengers. The boot is also quite big. Cabin quality is top-notch and the positioning of dials and switches is hard to fault. The cheapest model, the ES, is keenly priced but the mid-level SE offers the best value overall. Verdict ****

To read motors.co.uk's road test of the BMW 3-series, click here

3 Audi A4
Prices £21,310-£36,665
It's evolution, not revolution for this suave and talented saloon. New model introduced in 2008 is bigger inside and out, and up-to-the-minute with its looks. But while it's better in every department, the improvements are mostly small ones. Its strongest suit is the impeccable fit and finish of its cabin, together with the availablility of driving aids, safety kit and gadgetry previously unavailable in this class and price bracket. It's good to drive, if no match for the sublime 3-series or the super-composed C-class. Standard and SE models are generously kitted-out and we'd advise against getting too giddy with the extras price list - because it's easy to drop thousands of pounds on goodies you mayn't really appreciate. If the BMW or the Mercedes-Benz don't suit for any reason, the A4 is a more than worthy back-up choice. Verdict ***

To read motors.co.uk's road test of the Audi A4 and watch our video verdict click here