New Audi A4 35TDI vs Mercedes C250d vs BMW 320d comparison

And speaking of the C-class, there’s really nothing that can match its cabin for sheer wow factor at this price. Flowing slates of polished wood, brushed ‘metal’ inserts separating large expanses of leather and even metal switches and knobs. In terms of design, it’s the opposite of the A4, opting for more traditional round shapes and flowing curves. And thanks to the massive panoramic sunroof, the cabin is superbly lit and feels more spacious than it actually is. Previously, we could hardly fault the Merc’s build quality, but it’s only after spending time in the new Audi that you realise, though it’s all very pretty, some plastics in the C-class just could have been better. Similarly with the instrument cluster; the analogue dials, although sporty, look a bit ordinary and out of place with the C’s regal interior, and are certainly a far cry from Audi’s digital cluster. The BMW has analogue dials too, but they do at least suit the car a bit better.

Though it may have been given a mid-life refresh in early 2016, the 3-series is, generationally, the oldest of the trio, and that’s starting to show in the cabin. It definitely feels solidly built, but you don’t get that last degree of finesse its newer rivals give you. The design itself is starting to look a bit dated and the materials just don’t feel quite as rich as in the other two. Another thing to note is that our test car is a Sport Line with black leather and red interior accents. For a more traditional luxury feel, we’d recommend the Luxury Line, which for the same price gets you beige leather, brown wood and silver accents instead. Still, like the outside, the interior has a sporty bent, with the dash curved a bit towards the driver, and a chunky steering wheel.

CABIN PRESSURE

Sticking with the sporty theme, the 3-series really lets you feel it from the driver’s seat, which is set low (some might say a bit too low) to keep your centre of gravity down and make you feel at one with the car. It’s a nice, snug seat too that holds you in place firmly. That low-set theme continues in the back, where BMW has used the car’s length, not height, to maximise space. And it has worked. This could very well be the best back seat of this trio, with great space as well as back and thigh support. The only caveat is that low positioning; it makes getting in a little tricky, as you have to climb down and across the thick side bolster to get in.

Audi, interestingly, has done something similar with the new A4, it has moved the rear seat further back for more stretching room. Like the BMW, this means climbing around the C-pillar to get in, but once you’re in place, this could also be the best back seat in this test; yes, it’s that close. There’s great support and good legroom too, although some might find the backrest a tad upright. Bonus fact: the Audi is the only one with a separate climate zone for rear passengers. At the front, the A4 offers superb visibility from its comfy and supportive driver’s seat, quite different from the cocooned feeling you get in the 320d.

The Mercedes’ front seats are the largest and best suited to bigger frames. You stare down into a large instrument cowl, but despite this you can adjust the seat for good visibility. Our only grouse is the absence of a memory function for the electric seats. The back seat, just like the rest of the cabin, gives you a special feeling thanks to the materials used and that second sunroof, but then you notice that the seat itself is not that great. Yes, legroom is good, as is back support, but the seat squab is just too short to give adequate thigh support, and the thick frame for that sunroof, ironically, cuts a few precious millimetres out of the headroom.

All three cars have big boots, but in another lesson apparently learnt from the other two, Audi has made sure to pack its space-saver spare into a proper recess under the floor, so it doesn’t eat into the cargo area at all. The 3-series and C-class still carry their spare tyres strapped down inside the boot area, which can be an inconvenience on a long road trip out of town, where you will need both the space and the tyre.