On the safety front, there are now 10 airbags fitted (including dual-front combined pelvic/thorax airbags, front centre airbag, rear side airbags, window airbags and driver’s knee airbag), Autonomous Emergency Braking front and rear (including for cyclists and pedestrians, at speeds from 7km/h to over 200km/h), adaptive cruise control with active stop/go, a 360 degree camera, Active Parking Assist, drowsy driver monitor, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, ABS anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, Adaptive Brakes with Hold function, brake drying and Hill Start Assist, electronic stability control, traction control, dusk-sensing LED lights, rain-sensing wipers and runflat tyres with tyre pressure warning.

The C200 is a wonderful car for those looking to jump into the premium sedan market, but are worried about breaking the six-digit mark in the process. With a relatively modest price tag for the segment, the C200 comes well-equipped in terms of comfort and entertainment features, only missing out on a few active safety technologies as a reminder of the fact that the C200 is an entry-level vehicle. For the majority of buyers, though, the C200 is a remarkably competent and comfortable vehicle that will leave very few buyers disappointed at its all-round abilities.

Under the long bonnet of the new C200 is a comparatively small 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid starter-generator connected between the motor and gearbox. This delivers a reasonable 150kW at 6100rpm and 300Nm between 1800 and 4000rpm. It's that low-end torque you notice the most, with the C200 able to smoothly get up to speed in both urban and touring environments, albeit not in a particularly hurried way. Typical of the C-Class though, regardless of engine, once you're up to pace it will hold speed well and it tours just as happily as it commutes.