2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Evo Panorama review from UK and Ireland

Braking assist and traction control occasionally comes on - need to mention it to the dealer when it's serviced.

Full length glass sunroof rattles.

Fabric on parcel shelf peeling off.

Diesel is a bit sluggish below 2500rpm, but then pulls - auto box masks the problem to a degree, but at low rpm you still end up flooring the throttle to pull away and then find you too much acceleration once the boost builds.

Effortless cruising ability and the torque lets you waft past other vehicles.

The seats are excellent making 400 mile journeys no hardship.

Auto box is superb - changes gear at exactly the right time and is easily overridden by the tiptronic if you need to.

Excellent handling due to lowered suspension and 17" alloys on the EVO Panorama. Can be little bit jiggly on rough roads, but I can happily live with this given it's cornering ability.

Not much headroom in the back, but then it is a coupe. The saloon and estate don't seem much better...

Looks much more expensive than it actually is - a lot better styled than the 3 series compact.

Only the high emissions and the resultant high company car tax will prevent me from having another. Sadly I have had to opt for a BMW because their emissions are much lower.