<span style=color:#ffffff;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:medium;background-color:#000000;>No longer a mere gateway into the German luxury brand, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has matured into a prestigious, elegant, advanced car in its own right. Available as a sedan, coupe or cabriolet, this latest-generation C-Class looks and feels like a smaller version of Mercedes&rsquo; flagship S-Class. For 2019, the C-Class gets a mid-cycle freshening that updates exterior and interior design, adds power, and improves technology. It adds up to a compact-luxury car that easily stays in step &mdash; or ahead, depending on your priorities &mdash; of rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Lexus IS. Starting over $41,000, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains on the higher-priced spectrum of this segment, but we think its features and status justify the premium.</span>