Mercedes-Benz CLC

Our verdict

Despite launching a new, and superb C-Class sometime ago, Mercedes has seen fit to paper over the cracks of the old, and frankly dreadful, Sports Coupe to make the CLC. It feels old, looks clumsily re-styled and is, above all else, outrageously overpriced for something this outdated

Comfort

Refinement is reasonably good in the CLC, even if touch point quality around the cabin does betray the cars thinly veiled age. The seats are supportive and the ergonomics sorted.

Performance

The bigger V6 lump on offer in the CLC makes it plenty fast enough, but it feels like more than the chassis is really up and costs so much that you’d be a berk to consider it.

Cool

Buying an entry-level car from a luxury marque reeks of social climbing. That’d be enough to ensure the CLC wasn’t cool, but the fact that it’s fairly shit to drive redoubles our conviction.

Quality

Merc went through a bad patch with quality a few years ago, and although most of its cars are much improved these days, the CLC borrows heavily from the awful Sports Coupe of yesteryear. 

Handling

Not what it would be if Merc had pushed the boat out and used the new C-Class chassis. This is not the sports car its looks would have you believe.

Practicality

The hatchback and compact dimensions of the CLC make it really quite practical. This is a car quite capable of handling urban and motorway environments with equal aplomb.

Running costs

The fact that the CLC is so expensive to start with means you’re never going to be quids in, but that badge should ensure some fairly strong residuals for the time being.