The main 7-inch screen is backed up by 4.5-inch display in the center of the instrument cluster. It shows next turn directions for the navigation, as well as phone information for the Bluetooth hands-free interface, music info and vehicle basics such as the odometer, oil level, etc., (these latter functions can be switched through with 12 buttons on the steering wheel).
In addition to MP3 player compatibility, the audio system can play music from a DVD or PC memory card. The MusicRegister feature lets users rip CDs to a 4GB hard drive that can store up to 1,000 tracks. Title, artist, album name, etc., are displayed for each track via the Gracenote database. The audio system can also play music stored on a DVD or PC memory card.
Admittedly, I have never been a cardholder in the Mercedes fan club. For years, I found their styling a bit conservative and a good pairing for the snobbish variety. But that feeling went out the window with the latest S-Class, a car I find absolutely awe-inspiring. And now with the all-new C350 Sport, I may have to rethink my membership status.
The new exterior is a wonderful departure from the past C-Class-larger, infinitely sportier and, dare I say, sexy. Climb inside and the interior is just as arousing. The center stack is sleek and minimalistic, and the motorized 7-inch monitor is a cool feature for a car in this price range. But what really got me was the design-every panel has synergy with the next so nothing really stands out. This was most apparent to me when I was looking for the speaker locations. The speaker grilles are so integrated that it's difficult to tell the location of those in the dash and rear deck. This is a great accomplishment and one that is followed by several sound competitors. If you can't see the speaker location, you focus more on the musical (re)production itself.
While I didn't have as much time in this vehicle as I would've liked, what I heard impressed me. In fact, I'd say it ranks up there with the best factory offerings and may even better the impressive Mark Levinson system in the Lexus LS.
The response of the Harman/Kardon system in the C350 was very linear and I noted little resonance issues. The soundstage was well present but the imaging wasn't all there. Turning the Logic7 on or off largely impacted every composition, providing better focus on some while destroying the imaging of others. Because of this, I found myself constantly changing the settings, which was unnerving at times. The other item of dislike was the bass. Like the Lexus, it sounded overdamped and bland. Resonant tones of bass instruments were more monotone in character and the kick drums sounded flat.
There was one other feature of this system I wasn't impressed with-the controls. The COMAND controller is well placed in the console, right at your fingertips, but it was annoying to use. Toggling up and down, forward and back for A/V or navigation selections required too much attention away from the road and placed on the monitor. Also, the multifunction controls on the steering wheel weren't labeled well. Those work primarily with the small display in the instrument cluster that requires you to be in the appropriate menu setting to use for certain audio functions. Again, a distraction.