Glendal's Favorite Reviews

The humble junior executive saloon is having to work harder than ever. With more and more mid-sized premium SUVs being launched, company car buyers are being lured away from the traditional choices by newer vehicles that many people think make more of a style statement. If you鈥檙e in the market for a new company car, don鈥檛 make that jump just yet, because there鈥檚 a group of compact execs that have been recently updated, while some existing choices still offer plenty of appeal. The latest to receive a refresh is the Mercedes C-Class. The car we鈥檙e testing has a new diesel engine that promises more refinement and efficiency, while extra tech adds to the allure. Alfa, too, has revamped its Giulia range, with more power for the diesel engine and a revised trim structure. One of the more challenging rivals these two models face is the Jaguar XE. It鈥檚 been our favourite car in the class for three years running, although it was knocked off the top spot at our New Car Awards earlier this year by the updated Mercedes.

The question is whether this result is replicated in these more affordable specs. We鈥檝e got an affordable Mercedes C 220 d SE model for this test. This features the brand鈥檚 newer 2.0-litre turbodiesel, because diesel power is still popular in a sector where owners often cover high miles. How does the C-Class fare elsewhere? The Mercedes isn鈥檛 as dynamic as the other cars here, even if it does boast more comfort. The chassis hasn鈥檛 changed much, so in SE spec on 17-inch wheels the C-Class rides fairly well. It offers compliance, but the body control is looser as a result. This means it floats over crests and into softer depressions, even if sharper inputs occasionally cause a more violent reaction; it鈥檚 better than its rivals in this respect, though. That power advantage means it has the edge over the Alfa and Jag for straight-line performance. On test it sprinted from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds - faster than the Giulia and XE, which are perceived to be sportier. The C 220 d鈥檚 in-gear flexibility wasn鈥檛 quite as strong as its rivals鈥? highlighting that torque deficit.

At most it was 1.2 seconds adrift of its competitors going from 50 to 70mph in seventh, but the C-Class doesn鈥檛 feel like it lacks the surge for overtaking when you need it, or punch out of corners. What the Mercedes has gained from its new engine is refinement. The new 2.0-litre unit is quieter than the 2.2 diesel in the Alfa and the Ingenium unit in the Jaguar. The gearbox is the smoothest, too, with the nine-speed unit shuffling ratios sweetly in automatic mode without any perceptible disruption to drive. The chassis can鈥檛 match its rivals鈥?for involvement or agility, but it is going up against arguably the best two cars in the class in this respect. 鈥檚 this default mode we鈥檇 choose every time. Testers' notes: 鈥淪E specification is relatively well equipped, but more luxurious features, such as the digital dash, aren鈥檛 even available as options, which is a pity.

A revamp for the Alfa Romeo Giulia range has seen the trim levels on offer with the higher-output diesel engine cut to one: Speciale. It鈥檚 this 拢36,990 model we鈥檙e testing here (an older Super is pictured). The Giulia also offers the best driving position, which is in keeping with the car鈥檚 sporty personality. These diesel models might also balance efficiency, but even next to the Jag, this is the sharpest car to drive. That stems from the fast steering, which can initially make the Alfa feel overly sensitive, but once you get used to the speed of the rack and the level of input required to make the Giulia turn, it鈥檚 very rewarding. The nose bites well and the car feels lighter than its rivals, so roundabouts and country roads are to be savoured in the Italian model, where they鈥檙e a little less interesting in the competition. There鈥檚 a high-quality feel to the damping, too. With larger 18-inch wheels and a generally firmer set-up even in the softer mode, the Giulia does skip more over bumps.