That looks like in the S-Class, is the first impression.

In fact, Mercedes-Benz packs so much technology from the luxury class into its new C-Class that you can only marvel.

Here we take a look at infotainment, which the manufacturer describes as "the dawn of an even more digital world".

To do this, the MBUX communication system is taken from the S-Class, the on-board monitor of which is now attached in portrait format below the massive air vents on the dashboard.

The driver and front passenger can access it quickly, the display is the size of a tablet and measures 9.5 inches in the standard version, 11.9 inches for an additional charge.

The cockpit display in front of the steering wheel is always digital in the C-Class, there is a small version with 10.25 inches and a large one with 12.3 inches.

Michael Spehr

Editor in the "Technology and Engine" department.

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A second look shows that, like most vehicle manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz is also saying goodbye to mechanical controls.

The number of keys has been minimized.

Below the on-board monitor you will find a few, for example for selecting the driving mode or for switching on the hazard warning lights.

The instrumentation of the steering wheel relies solely on touch-sensitive controls, which have the major disadvantage that the fingers cannot feel anything intuitively and the precision of a mechanical switch or rotary actuator is not achieved.

The touch surfaces are arranged on two levels, so you have to look at the steering wheel more often than you would like.

The air conditioning is also adjusted digitally.

The lower fifth of the on-board monitor is used for this, the corresponding virtual buttons are permanently displayed.

The fact that the monitor has a two centimeter "mourning border" on the sides is not a secret.

The operation of the MBUX follows the idea that there are different ways to get to your destination: with the appropriate menus on the on-board monitor, by pressing the steering wheel buttons or by voice control.

The latter is considered a benchmark and reference, no other system can match the level of Mercedes-Benz.

The electronic assistant is ready to accept instructions after switching on the ignition.

How cleverly the manufacturer has expanded its system can be seen in the details: With "Hey Mercedes" you can also have vehicle functions explained to you, and the lady even knows which accessories are installed in the car.

When asked to switch on the steering wheel heating, she replied that it was not installed in this vehicle.

Anyone who has connected their smart home with Bosch or Samsung can query the status of individual components in the new C-Class.

For example, whether the front door was locked or the heating was turned down.

The heating can also be turned up from the car when you are on your way home.

Also fascinating: You can switch to Apple's voice assistant Siri without switching.

You simply say "Hey Siri" instead of "Hey Mercedes" and immediately land in the Apple world.

As in the upper class, there is an augmented reality display for the navigation for an extra charge.

The area in front of the vehicle captured by cameras is overlaid with turn-by-turn directions, so that large arrows point to the exact road you should be driving onto.

It looks pretty spectacular and makes orientation in big cities a lot easier.

Also taken over from the S-Class is the biometric fingerprint reader (for 70 euros) below the display.

With a fingerprint you can log in and access the last destinations or your own calendar.

You can also use it to buy and pay for individual infotainment functions via the Mercedes shop.

In our vehicle, the navigation was "permanently available", but the electronic logbook and vehicle monitoring were only available for a limited period.

The equipment of the infotainment can be configured in many ways.

Unfortunately this is confusing.

You book different packages, the surcharges range from 1500 to 3000 euros.

We recommend the huge, colored head-up display for another 1200 euros, whose richness of detail sets standards again.

The virtual image has a diagonal of almost 30 inches and hovers 4.50 meters above the bonnet.

A mobile radio unit with SIM card is part of the standard equipment.

However, it only supports LTE and not 5G.

Real-time traffic information can be used free of charge for three years, after which a subscription is required.

The conclusion after some time of trying it out: The main point of criticism is the touch surfaces on the steering wheel.

Everything else drives at the highest level.

Mercedes-Benz competes with itself.