2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 63 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. Step up from the C 450 AMG to the C 63 AMG, and you get the full Mercedes-AMG treatment: a hand-built V8 and rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive. The 4.0L V8 makes 469 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, routed through a seven-speed automatic to the rear wheels. You'll hit 60 mph in the mid-three-second range, and you'll feel every bit of it. The C 63 AMG's standard sport suspension is firm and controlled; it's the trade-off for cornering grip that rivals the BMW M3.