“This car is terrible. I don’t think you’re going to like it,” the delivery driver told me with a sarcastic tone.

“Yeah, it looks awful,” I quipped back.

Of course, there’s nothing terrible about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300. The C-Class is the German automaker’s entry-level sedan that has been luring buyers into the luxury realm for decades. Admittedly, this week-long loan is my first time driving a C-Class, and at first glance, I’m impressed. It could even sway me to buy a Merc someday.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is undeniably classy

Sitting in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class for the first time, I was blown away by its rich brown leather seats and high-tech gadgetry. There’s a 12.3-inch digital display that sits in front of the driver, and it shows all of the pertinent information like speed, RPM, and music selection. I also found out that you can change the screen layout to show the navigation map, which is handy.

In terms of comfort, the C-Class’ seats are well-bolstered and comfortable. There’s also plenty of space for both front seat passengers. As for the infotainment system, the large 11.9-inch touchscreen is nice and easy to use, although there is a learning curve at first.

As for the rear seats, taller passengers should have no issues fitting back there. I’m 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and I had plenty of room to spare when sitting behind my preferred driving position. There’s also climate control and vents to keep the rear seat occupants comfortable while waiting to get to their destination.

How does the Mercedes-Benz C 300 drive?

The 2022 C 300 drives really well. At first, I was a little turned off by its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine because I thought the car could use more power. But after driving it for a little longer, I realized that 255 hp is plenty to get this car moving up to the appropriate speed. Of course, it helps that the engine is connected to a mild-hybrid system that adds an extra 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.

The car doesn’t feel significantly underpowered, which says a lot considering I’m at a mile-high elevation. Fortunately, the engine is connected to a 9-speed automatic transmission and not a CVT, so accelerating from a stop doesn’t feel like it takes eons. Additionally, the all-wheel-drive system is a nice touch and would work well for buyers that live in snow states.

Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class worth $45,000?

Yes, so far, I’m impressed with everything the Mercedes C-Class has to offer, and it’s worth the price of entry. That being said, it should be known that my tester for the week is the top-trim Pinnacle version that has all of the bells and whistles. In that case, my impression may be a little skewed since this hopped-up version has a lot of charm.

In fact, it could even sway me to peruse the classifieds sometime for a used C-Class since I can’t afford the $57,150 price tag attached to it. It sure is terribly persuasive.