Any of the seats are very good: neither so hard that they numb the backside nor so soft that they leave occupants tired or aching. The seats in the standard luxury models are more traditional, perhaps richer in appearance, than those in the sport models. By comparison, the seats in the sport models look stark, but provide significantly more side bolstering for spirited driving. Adjustable lumbar support is now standard, meaning more comfort for the lower back. The C55 AMG has its own special sport seats and premium leather upholstery.
The C-Class got a thorough interior re-do for the 2005 model year so the 2006 models benefit from that. The dashboard, instruments and seats were redesigned, and materials were revised throughout. The instrument cluster now features four gauges, with a chromed-ringed tachometer and speedometer of identical size sitting front and center. To the left and right of these are smaller fuel and temperature gauges. In the middle sits an LCD display with various system and trip functions. Fashioned in the mold of the larger Mercedes E-Class, the instrument cluster is deeply hooded and virtually eliminates glare on the dials. The backlit script is clear and easy to read.
We like the center stack, which looks more modern than before. Audio controls are now located in what we consider the optimal spot: above the climate control switches, which sit at the bottom of the stack. Both audio and climate knobs are large and easy to locate. The lack of some of the complicated systems found on more expensive Mercedes models is, frankly, a welcome relief.
The switchgear is, for the most part, easy to use and understand. The stalk controls have a beefy feel with positive detents. Redundant buttons on the steering wheel let the driver operate the audio and telephone functions without removing a hand from the wheel. The stalk-mounted cruise control continues to be an annoyance, however. It's also easy to engage the cruise control by mistake when trying to use the turn signals, a complaint we have with every modern Mercedes that comes to mind.
Lighting inside is effective, with good illumination for entry in the dark and excellent map lights for reading. The C-Class glovebox is a good size, unless you order the CD changer, in which case you lose most of its storage space. You'll still have the center console and door pockets, but we'd like more places to stash stuff. At least they've added a pop-up cupholder in the center console.
In general, the C-Class sedans are trimmed with good-quality interior materials, but there are some exceptions. Some of the hard plastics don't match Mercedes' best. The sport sedans use aluminum trim throughout the cabin, while the luxury sedans use wood.
The rear seat offers generous space and comfort. It's installed theater style, and sits slightly higher than those in front, giving back-seat passengers a better view forward without significantly compromising head room. Indeed, the spacious rear seats are one of the strengths of the C-Class. The optional power sunshade for the rear glass reinforces the feeling you're in a Benz.
The trunk is a good size for a car this size, offering 12.2 cubic feet of cargo space. An optional split-folding rear seat expands cargo capacity.
