Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The car is gorgeous, but the low ground clearance makes it unsuitable for village roads near my hometown. The diesel engine is a dream on highways though – powerful and efficient. The interior is a masterpiece. I keep it for city use and take the SUV for rural trips.

The C 220d is a mile-muncher – drove from Jaipur to Ahmedabad in one stretch and felt fresh. The 48V system's coasting saved so much fuel that I averaged 21 km/l. The digital headlights are fantastic for night driving. The interior is simply the best.

I'm disappointed with the lack of ADAS – even the new iX40 has lane keep assist at a lower price. Also, the piano black trim is a dust magnet. The engine and transmission are superb, but the missing features at this price point are hard to justify.

Daily commuter in Mumbai – the car's length at 4751 mm is manageable in tight lanes. The 48V system helps with stop-and-go traffic. The front seats are extremely comfortable for the 1-hour drive to office. Ground clearance is a worry – I've scraped a few times on Marine Drive speed breakers.

This car makes me feel like a million bucks every time I sit in it. The twin screens, the leather, the star badge – it's an experience. The 9-speed gearbox is a masterpiece. I don't care about the small niggles; this is the best sedan I've owned.

The 1.5L petrol in the C 200 feels breathless at high RPMs. I wish I'd gone for the diesel. The interior tech is amazing but the climate control screen is a pain – I have to take my eyes off the road. The steering wheel touch controls are also hit-or-miss.

Pricing is a bit steep – fully loaded, it rivals the E-Class base variant. Also, the gloss black trim scratches if you look at it wrong. The engine and gearbox are brilliant, but the lack of ventilated seats and ADAS on standard trims is unforgivable at this price point.

Honestly, the base C 200 feels underpowered for a 50-lakh car. The 1.5L engine struggles on inclines, especially in the hills near Munnar. The interior is gorgeous and the MBUX is snappy, but I'd recommend stretching for the diesel or the C 300.

Second-hand buyer – got a 2024 model with 8k km. The condition is showroom-fresh and the warranty transferred. The C 220d is quiet and torquey. I use it for weekend getaways. The only disappointment is the lack of wireless charging on this variant.

The power-adjustable front seats with memory are a blessing – my wife and I have our own presets. The lumbar support is excellent for my bad back. The Digital Light headlamps are so bright that night driving feels like daytime. Ground clearance is the only sore point.