“How much you selling it for mate? They’re the new ones aren’t they – I think they are beautiful.”
I was standing in the road waiting for the photographs to be taken for this road test, when a car pulled up alongside me. The driver stuck his head out the window, and that is what he said.
And so it was that I nearly sold Mercedes test car to a Volkswagen Golf driver.
“Ah, oh, err, I’m not selling it – just taking a picture.”
“Oh right. What did you pay for it? Could I trade this for one?”
Interesting question. I wasn’t sure off the top of my head. He had an 07 plate high spec Golf, so as soon as I got back to my desk I opened the last edition of this guide and checked it out. The short answer is, yes. High-end Golf drivers can more-or-less swap their current wheels for the elegant and stylish CLC.
Which surprised me. The Mercedes just feels like it should be more; it has an air of exclusivity about it that feels a cut above other small hatchbacks.
The other quality hatchback that can claim to have genuinely individual styling is the Mini. Interestingly, a Mini Coper’s price points mean it’s also a serious consideration for a would-be CLC buyer.
I think the Mini appeals to those who want to be cool but are terrified of taking a risk. Whereas driving a CLC says, I am my own person. I have class and style and I don’t mind taking a well-calculated risk. It is so stylish that I keep expecting an elegant 1950s movie start to step out of it.
So where are those risks? Well the CLC depreciates a little more harshly than other Mercedes and some of the alternatives. It’s the price you pay for being genuinely cool.
But, there is no risk in terms of motoring enjoyment. As you go through a corner, or round a tight bend don’t be surprised if find your mouth opens just slightly and whispers, ‘wow that was great.’
A gas leak means that there is a road works chicane on Holborn Viaduct at the time of writing and even at 20 mph, the precision of the steering impresses and satisfies. It was the same story on the long sweeping slip road that leads onto the M4 from the west bound carriageway of the M25.
All these things help you forget that the pedals are offset, the clutch is quite heavy on the ankle and its easy to go from 3rd gear to 6th gear when you wanted 4th. As you cruise down the inside lane of the motorway or slice through an A-road bend, these become quibbles for the small-minded; minutia that the modish CLC driver can’t be bothered with.
Sadly this feel-good-factor doesn’t quite last for an entire inner city traffic jam. The seats are quite hard so you adjust them quite a lot to get comfortable. And I for one became so focussed on the sensations from the seat that even a while after I finished adjusting it, the base felt like it had become flexible. I can forgive that, but I can’t forgive the foot-brake-based substitute for a handbrake. On autos it’s fine, but hill starts are just a faff, and you cannot ease it off. You have to release it.
Parking the CLC is easy as it has a small footprint and generally good visibility. The rear window is quite high and there is a big lip but there are parking sensors. Mine went a little nuts during the test, so I turned them off, and still found the car easy to park.
It has the Mercedes tinted wing and rear view mirrors, designed to ensure you are not dazzled at night by headlights. In city centres, during rush hour there will be a swarm of cyclists, motorbikes and scooters all around you at every junction. At which point you will wish you had dazzling mirrors because it is so hard to make out how many two-wheeled vehicles are around you, which light relates to which and how close they actually are. But the rest of the time, you will avoid the nasty headache and surprise of a full beam bouncing off the glass and into your retina.
If you have always wanted a slightly sporty car, but don’t want the compromises or feel it is a little decadent, give the CLC coupe a try. It is a practical hatchback in terms of MPG, boot space, ease of parking, interior space. But it is also very classy and ever-so cool.
It may feel a bit like trading your wife for your mistress or husband for a play boy – but without the downsides.
Summary
A stylish coupe hatchback that looks and feels more expensive than it really is. Elegant, stylish, economical, well made and enjoyable to own. The Mercedes CLC is a discerning choice.
Road test car details:
Mercedes-Benz 200 CDI Sport
OTR: £22,115
0-62: 11.1 secs
MPG: 48.7
CO2 / KM: 161
Words: Matthew Tumbridge