Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric review

All versions have heated electric front seats, glass roof, wheels of at least 19-inches, a very screeny dash, LED lights and adaptive cruise (but not lane centring unless you pay a sub). So they don't feel stripped out.

The base price for the C 400 4Matic in well-equipped Avantgarde trim is £57,995, rising through AMG Line at £3k more. That adds a sportier body kit, wheels, seats and steering wheel, plus the electrochrome roof, and sound synthesis linked to accelerator position and speed. No fake gears though.

Go to the AMG Line Premium for hands-free door handles and hands-free access, matrix headlamps, Burmester sound, multi-way parking cameras and more. That's another £5k.

The final next step is (deep breath) AMG Line Premium Plus, a £2,500 upgrade with seats that massage and also vibrate to amplify the Burmester music experience, an AR HUD, ship's deck wood trim, heated rear seats and 20-inch wheels with noise absorbers in the tyres.

Any of those steps up can be made to sound like value if you want all the extras it adds. But only if. You can't just select individual options these days.

Then there's a Premier Edition, which is a tasty cosmetics pack – dechromed exterior, red-stitched black leather within. Another £2,500. Now we're at a £71k C-Class. Hmm…

All models have a charging system that allows 400V and 800V chargers to be used, though you'd have to be pretty desperate to go for the 400V ones as they're old and mostly run at sub 100kW.

The C-Class Electric can tow an 1,800kg trailer. Warranty is three years unlimited. Roadside cover lasts the same period, but that gets extended every year up to 30 years if you go to an authorised dealer for servicing.