The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is a formidable competitor. The cabin is arguably best in class. It comfortably knows it’s way around corners. The design is lithe and organic. This new model offers a little less... in the door department at least. It’s the new C300 Coupe. (ON CAMERA) Two-door coupes are stylish but not overly popular. It’s probably because getting in the back seat can be cumbersome and space is tight once you’re in. I don’t know though. Most cars I see only have one person in them... Squint and you’ll see a generous dollop of S Class coupe in its lines. The C costs much less, rear drive models start at just under 44 thousand dollars. This one goes for 59 grand. Extras include all-wheel drive, a $4,800 Premium package packing a most excellent Burmester audio system, and a $1,200 Airmatic adjustable suspension. While the lens stays clean, I’ll grouse that the backup camera is not standard. (SOUND UP) An autonomous braking system is though. Ah, thank you very much. Under an aluminum hood lives a 2-liter turbocharged 4- cylinder... (SOUND UP) Providing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque (ON CAMERA) Additional horsepower is available but it means moving up to the AMG performance models. The C43 has 50 percent more. The C63 nearly doubles this. (HOOD SLAM) The transmission is a 7-speed automatic, sorry manual lovers. Throttle response, transmission mapping and steering heft can be dialed to your liking. 0-60... (SOUND UP) ) happens in about 6 seconds. It doesn’t feel that fast, maybe it’s the refinement. (ON CAMERA) The turbo four? Very smooth, not a lot of sonic personality from it though. See? The coupe’s suspension is slightly firmer and 15mm lower than the sedans. C300 slices up corners without drama but there’s not loads of feel coming up through the steering wheel (ON CAMERA) In short, it’s sporty but not overly sporty. You’re going to have to move up to the AMG performance versions to get that. C300 is a quiet car, sedan or coupe. Ride quality is your choice in this case. (ON CAMERA) The Airmatic suspension? Definitely worth the money. The modes are quite different from each other. Sport when you want it, comfort when you want it. It also keeps the car self leveled, not that the back seat and trunk will get loaded up on a regular basis. How much gas does it drink? The E.P.A. numbers are 23 city, 29 highway on premium fuel. I saw a couple notches under that but (SOUND UP) I drive harder than most. (SOUND UP) Did you notice the start stop system? It can be turned off. From behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel, owners might linger in the driveway to appreciate the craftsmanship. It’s a handsome space. A $1,700 sport package buys a cut and sewn dash plus AMG floor mats. No, they don’t add any performance. This big piece of glass is standard. Deeply bolstered, the chairs will hold drivers of many different sizes in place during hard maneuvers. Whether using the wheel or touch pad, the COMAND user interface is okay, it’s not always perfectly clear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available, at least for now. Mercedes makes getting to the back seats as genteel as possible. (ON CAMERA) Space back here is a little more generous than a Cadillac ATS coupe but I remember the BMW 4 Series being more livable though. There are belts and cup holders for two back here. Some storage nooks too. No power port or seatback pockets, those are nice for organizing stuff. (FOOT KICK) (ON CAMERA) Need a lot of cargo room? Mercedes has plenty of S.U.V.s they can sell you. Come on, it’s a coupe and this one at least helps out with a folding seat system. Handy things are all around back here. And the C does fine in class easily taking on four bundles of the two-ply with enough room for the napkins my wife asked for. Not everyone wants a hard-edged performance machine, some will be happy to get comfort with the C300s clean elegant lines. Those looking for more OMG should choose the AMG models. There, every one’s happy... except those who need to climb into the back.