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| The Toyota Camry |
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Sometimes you forget just how priceless the Mercedes-Benz badge is, even on an entry level. All the fawning and fussin' and cheesin' and carrying on, MB could add a props tax.
Really, the brand has one heckuva cache that can almost be embarrassing. Like when I, in sweats and sans makeup, my dewiest years behind, but pumping a sharp white on gray C300, I was waved through an otherwise congested work zone, past "lesser" whips, with a nod and the hint of a bow.
 But that kinda respect didn't happen overnight, of course. Sure, there were a couple of years not that long ago when the German gadabouts were beset by quality issues. But all that's a faint glitch. And the so-monikered "Baby Benz" was popular well before its 2008 model year makeover.
My 2010 sport sedan was an all-around dependably nice ride that served up the usual Mercedes-Benz experience. A lot of its the little stuff, you know, fit 'n' finish, like the vault-tight solidity with which the doors close, or the upscale seat stitching, or the non-skimpy real-wood trim.
My loaner was a looker, too, with an in and out style that's sexier, more athletic than other C-trims. I like the way it widens and sits up slightly in back. A sporty stance, set off by 17-inch staggered-width alloys, but not overly masculine. The trunk could be a little more roomy, though.
And then there's the drive. The seven-speed automatic tranny is sweet, with rpms shadowing south shifts for better control. Full disclosure: the three-liter, 24-valve V-6 could be a mite more formidable, particularly off the mark, and when matched with the competition. The powerplant holds its own though -- 228 horses and 221 pound-feet of torque.
Steering and handling are on point, and the ride is smooth, even in sport suspension mode, which customizes throttle action to what you're asking for, increasing responsiveness. Day trips were a snap. And, there was no road or wind noise to speak of. A sudden downpour, by the way, was duly shoulder-brushed by the all-wheel drive. Braking was solid.
The interior's all class, if a bit on the spare side. Optional equipment added nearly 10 grand to the $37,100 MSRP, making it more expensive than some of the car's rivals. Extras included rearview monitor, TeleAid, Panorama sunroof, Burl walnut wood trim, SIRIUS satellite, heated front seats, voice control, music register, navigation system, power lumbar support, iPod/MP3 media interface and rain-sensing wipers.
Standards include tilt and telescoping steering, auto headlamps with twilight sensors, and Bluetooth connectivity. All the instruments are intuitive and logically placed.
Seating is comfy, even for these long gams, and the back seat's minimally roomy, although I wouldn't call this a family hauler. And there's enough headroom for this six-footer.
Safety-wise, the car hasn't been government rated for crash or rollover risk. Still, it has dual front and pelvic airbags, a driver's side knee airbag and side airbags, plus the Electronic Stability Program and brake assist.
At 18/25, fuel economy's okay for my ride, which runs with the likes of the Lexus IS 250, Audi A4 and BMW 328i.
Here's my bottom line: as an entry-level sedan, the new C300 is a lot more valuable than just its marque. Although that's very nice, too.
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