New Mercedes C-Class driven - In the cabin

The most significant overall change, however, is to your surroundings, thanks to the cabin upgrade. There's an all-new dash with softer materials and an integrated screen. The graining throughout and the surfaces of the controls feel richer. The C-Class can now hold up its head in any quality comparison with rivals.

The latest telematics system has a larger display, although we wouldn't necessarily agree with Merc's claims that it's now simpler to use. There are high-resolution graphics in the instrument cluster and, with Sports trim, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and darker aluminium highlights.

Opt for the all-singing central control system and, as long as your smartphone will pair with the car, you also get internet access.

Outside, there's a stronger grille surround to bring the car into line with Merc's latest design theme, a new bonnet and larger air intakes in the lower section of the new bumper. The rear bumper and lights have been modified, too.

Once again the car will be offered in SE, Elegance and Sport trim, with price hikes of £1295 and £1700 respectively. SE is targeted at business users and comes with 16-inch alloys, a parking guidance system, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel and, on the estate, an electric tailgate.

Higher specifications
Elegance is for the comfort-oriented private buyer. It ups the wheel size to 17 inches and has more external chrome, different upholstery, more in-car storage and a split rear seat on the estate. The Sport package has the firmer suspension and 18-inch alloys, speed-sensitive power steering and bi-xenon lamps with automatic beam adjustment.

All versions now have Attention Assist – which recognises when a driver is getting tired and issues aural and visual warnings – and a pop-up bonnet to give pedestrians better protection in an accident.

The new optional assistance systems include things that will actively prevent you from straying out of your lane and into the path of an overtaking car, maintain your distance to the car in front and advise you of speed limits.

This is far more than the usual mid-term refresher routinely given to cars. Mercedes sales and marketing chief Dr Joachim Schmidt says the revisions are the most comprehensive in the company's 125-year history.

The C-Class is still very much a Mercedes-Benz in the way it drives, but now more of one when you're inside it – and it'll cost you less for the privilege of running one.