2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 450 AMG

The 2016 C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's compact luxury sedan, slotting between the CLA and the E-Class with a choice of body styles and a range of engines from a turbo four to a hand-built V8. It competes with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Lexus IS, but the C-Class counters with a more opulent cabin and a broader performance spread. The C-Class balances comfort with agility; the steering is precise and the ride is composed, though the sportier AMG versions are noticeably firmer. Inside, the cabin features rich materials like wood grain and aluminum trim, with supportive seats and a roomy trunk for a compact sedan. Standard tech includes a 7-inch display, Bluetooth, and a USB port, while options add a Burmester sound system and advanced safety aids like blind-spot monitoring. The C 450 AMG is the one to pick if you want genuine AMG performance without the V8's fuel bill or stiff ride. Its 3.0L V6 makes 362 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, sent through a seven-speed automatic to a rear-biased all-wheel drive that claws out of corners hard. The adaptive suspension's three-stage dampers let you dial it from a composed daily driver to a track-ready handler at the twist of a knob.