Will Audi, Mercedes And Porsche Counter With X1 Competitors?

Will Audi, Mercedes And Porsche Counter With X1 Competitors?

It鈥檚 hip to be small. Well, at least it is when fuel prices increase. The BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML, Porsche Cayenne and Audi鈥檚 Q7 make up the current roster of mid-size premium German SUVs. All in competition with one-another, they each have their own list of strengths and are excellent vehicles. Say hello to the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK, a couple of small SUVs or 鈥渃rossovers鈥?targeted squarely at the X3 and rising fuel costs. They will be in showrooms next year and should both do well. Not ones to rest on their laurels, the folks at BMW are countering with a two pronged attack. The second is an even smaller CUV (crossover utility vehicle) due out next year. The X1, as it will be called, has been shown in thinly disguised concept form (shown above), with the final version to appear soon. Technical details are slowly trickling out, but we know that there will be full time all-wheel drive and that the engine choices will likely be similar to those in the current 1-series cars. Will Audi, Mercedes and Porsche counter with X1 competitors? We will continue monitoring the market and let you know as things develop.

Which Is Better: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class or 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA? The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA is basically a less expensive C-Class. While the CLA's cabin looks upscale, it can't match the C-Class' opulence. The CLA has mostly nice interior materials, but there are more plastic surfaces than you'll find in the more expensive C-Class. The CLA also has a bumpier ride than the C-Class. Stick with the C-Class. Which Is Better: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class or 2015 Audi A4? The C-Class and the 2015 Audi A4 are similar in all respects except reliability ratings. They both have confident yet comfortable rides and high-end interiors, but each has a touchy infotainment system. The A4 offers more back-seat passenger space, but the C-Class has a longer list of advanced safety features. However, the A4鈥檚 above-average reliability rating is higher than the C-Class鈥?rating, which is the lowest possible. The Audi is the better choice. Which Is Better: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class or 2015 BMW 4 Series?

While the 2015 BMW 4 Series is more of a driver's car, the C-Class is more of a luxurious cruiser. The 4 Series has nimbler handling, but the C-Class has a more upscale cabin. There's more passenger and cargo space in the 4 Series, but its infotainment system is even more cumbersome to use than the one in the C-Class. However, the BMW鈥檚 above-average reliability makes it a better choice than the C-Class, which earns a poor rating. How Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Drive? Though it's not exceptionally athletic, the C-Class boasts solid road manners and powerful engines. Both sedan and coupe models strike a good balance between a comfortable ride and composed handling. Bumps and shakes from the road are easily absorbed, and corners are handled with confidence and composure. The AMG models have much firmer rides, but they also have sharper handling. C-Class sedans are available with one of three engines: a turbocharged 241-horsepower, four-cylinder (C 300 trim); a 329-horsepower, twin-turbo V6 (C400); or a 469-horsepower, twin-turbo V8 (C63 AMG). The C63 S model has the same engine as the C63 AMG, but it produces 503 horsepower.

C-Class coupe models have three different powertrains: a 201-horsepower turbo four-cylinder (C 250 trim); a 302-horsepower V6 (C 350); and a 451-horsepower V8 (C63 AMG). All engines come with a seven-speed automatic transmission. All of the sedans have quick acceleration, thanks in part to their punchy engines. Only the base C 250 coupe feels underpowered. The V8-powered AMG models have enough power to throw you back into your seat. Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Get Good Gas Mileage? How Many People Does the 2015 C-Class Seat? The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan seats five, while the C-Class coupe seats four. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats are cramped in both sedan and coupe models, with little head- or legroom. The C-Class has one of the most luxurious cabins in the class, with a high-end design and first-rate materials throughout. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats with driver position memory settings.

Available features include genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and sport seats. How Many Car Seats Fit in the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class? The outboard rear seats each have a full set of LATCH child-seat connectors, and sedan models have an additional upper tether on the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the C-Class LATCH system its top rating of Good for ease of use. The C-Class has a solid list of standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and push-button start. More advanced features are available, such as a Burmester premium audio system, navigation, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch display. The infotainment system in the C-Class gained a new touchpad controller for the 2015 model year. This system is not easy to use, and the touchpad can be hard to reach and overly sensitive. Fortunately, there are physical buttons and a control knob for some functions, so you can avoid the finicky touchpad. The C-Class sedan has 12.6 cubic feet of trunk room, which is less cargo space than many rivals have. The coupe鈥檚 trunk has 11.7 cubic feet. Sedan and AMG coupe models are 15.4 feet long, while all other coupes are 15.1 feet. The C-Class has a curb weight ranging 3,417 to 3,816 pounds.