The C-Class switchgear, again with a few exceptions, is easy to use and understand. The lack of some the complicated systems present on more expensive Mercedes cars simplifies things. The deeply hooded instrument cluster is shared among the coupe, sedan and wagon with minor variations, and virtually eliminates glare on the dials. We like the layout and decor of the center stack, with its wood or aluminum trim and large controls for the audio system and climate controls.

The stalk controls have a nice, beefy feel with positive detents. Among them is a stalk for the cruise control. Many drivers new to Mercedes cars, and that includes us, often move this cruise control stalk when we intended to use the turn signals. This can cause the cruise control to switch on right as you are about to brake for a turn or make a lane change. Controls mounted on the steering wheel allow the driver to operate the audio and telephone systems, and other functions.

Overhead is a console with nice map lights. The glovebox is a good size, unless you order the CD changer, in which case you lose most of it, although you'll still have the center console and door pockets. Still, we'd like more places to stash things. German automakers just don't seem to think people should stash stuff in their cars, nor do they think they need cup holders.

The seats in the sedans come standard with leather facings. The sport coupe comes standard with cloth seats with manual fore-aft adjusters. The C32 AMG has its own special sport seats and premium leather upholstery.

The coupes feature aluminum trim instead of traditional wood. In general, the C-Class models are trimmed with good-quality interior materials, but some of hard plastics don't measure up to traditional Mercedes standards. The sunshade over the expansive glass roof in the coupe is somewhat rickety. Apparently, Mercedes had to account for the lower prices somewhere.

The rear seats in the sedans are generous in space and comfort. They're installed theater style, and sit slightly higher than those in front, allowing rear passengers a better view forward without significantly compromising head room. Indeed, the spacious rear seats in the sedans are one of the strengths of the C-Class when compared to some competitors. The optional power sunshade for the rear glass reinforces the feeling you're in a Benz.

The rear seats in the coupes are comfortable even for small to medium adults, but the roof slopes down quite a bit, restricting headroom. Getting in the back of the two-door coupe is aided by a release system for the front passenger seats; the whole seat automatically slides forward when the seatback is flipped forward, opening up the rear compartment for entry. The hatchback design of the coupe offers more cargo utility than that of the sedans. The 60/40 split rear seats can be folded down effortlessly, either with the bottom sections flipped forward or left in place, depending on how much cargo room is needed. With the rear seats in place, the coupe's rear hold offers 10.2 cubic feet of space, which is as much as the trunks of some sedans provide. But folding the rear seats down reveals 38.1 cubic feet of space that can be filled with much larger items.

The sedan's trunk is spacious for a car of its compact exterior dimensions. It offers 12.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which is significantly more than a BMW 3 Series sedan (10.7) though less than an Audi A4 (13.4). Moreover, when you hit the trunk button, the C-Class lid pops all the way open, something many trunk lids do not do. There's also an optional split-folding rear seat ($460) that expands cargo room in the C-Class sedans.

C-Class wagons have exactly the same interior and exterior dimensions as the sedans, save for that wonderfully useful extra space behind the second seat. With the seats in place, the wagon offers 25.2 cubic feet of flat-floor load space. Folding the seats down creates more than 63 cubic feet of space, or slightly more than an Audi A4 Avant or BMW 3 Series sport wagon. With its split rear seat folded, the C-Class wagon offers a load floor measuring 66 inches deep by 35 inches wide, and it's flat for easy sliding. Lighting and tie-downs are provided in the rear hold, along with a 12-volt power point. An emergency tire sealer/inflator is provided rather than the optional spare. The wagon comes with a fitted crate hidden under the carpeted cargo floor. The crate can be removed, filled with goods, and then re-stowed snugly under the floor.