Merecedes-Benz is known around the whole world for the quality of the cars they produce, and with good reason. Tracing their lineage to the very first automobile designed, built and run, Mercedes-Benz has been building on Karl Benz’s original “motorwagen” for almost a century and a half. Identified as one of the German “Big Three” automakers renowned for their craftsmanship, quality and luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz has been at the head of the pack for decades when it comes to engine design and quality automobile manufacturing.

What to know about Merecedes?

As the world’s oldest automobile company still in existence, the developments in safety, efficiency and design that were first innovated by the designers and engineers working for Mercedes-Benz have been incorporated into thousands of subsequent car designs across all makes and models, not just the automobiles of the Mercedes fleet, but worldwide, as well. Symbolized by the patented three-pointed star, Mercedes-Benz is recognized worldwide as a leader and innovator in the automotive industry.

The Mercedes C-Class line of coupe automobiles was introduced to the world in 1993. Now on its third-generation, the C-Class was the smallest automobile in the Mercedes fleet until the arrival of the A-Class was revealed in 1997. In 2007, the third generation of the C-Class was unveiled; it was called the W204. Differing from the previous generations slightly, the new W204 offered an extended wheelbase and tracks as well as a stiffer body shell that was modeled from the S-Class as well as the CLS-Class of Mercedes vehicles.

Among the W204 C-Class model lines, Mercedes offers four different trim levels for their cars: Classic, Elegance, Avantgarde and AMG, the last being a tip of the cap to the acquisition and merger of Mercedes-Benz with Mercedes-AMG in the 1990s through 2005. AMG modeled cars typically are more aggressive in appearance and tend to be the most expensive trim levels for Mercedes models.

Classic is the basic trim level offered for Mercedes automobiles. It features cloth interior with vinyl optional as well as the traditional Mercedes grille found on sedan models and the three-star emblem on the hood. The Elegance comes with vinyl standard and leather optional; it, too, features the familiar grille style with the star emblem on the hood.

Avantgarde features a more sporty appearance than Classic of Elegance. For the Avantgarde trim level, both cloth seats and vinyl come standard with leather optional. The front of the car is a little different, as well; the grille features three bars with the three-pronged star logo set into the grille. It is designed and intended to appeal to the widest range of luxury coupe buyers.

The Avantgarde also differs from the Classic and Elegance in the body construction. Featuring larger alloy wheels, a lower sport suspension, and improved calipers for the brakes; the interior also features a three-spoke steering wheel. In overall appearance and performance, the Avantgarde is supposed to be a sport coupe.

The names of the different trim lines are changed slightly when they are exported overseas. In the United Kingdom, the Classic line is known as the SE and the Avantgarde is designated the Sport. In the American market, the Elegance trim appears on the C300 Luxury and the Avantgarde is found on the C300 Sport as well as the C350 Sport. There is no Classic trim in the United States; likewise, there are no four-cylinder engines and Mercedes has discontinued the sports wagon in the United States. For the Canadian market, only the AMG body style is available. As in the American market, Mercedes does not sell a wagon in Canada, nor do they offer four-cylinder engines.