Most of the time cars fit nicely into a manufacturer's model range, with a clear sense of belonging and purpose. Occasionally a car looks like a crude marketing idea that should have been vetoed before even making it into production.
The Mercedes CLC is a rare misstep in the Mercedes pantheon - sure, there has been that much documented dip and hard fought rise in quality, but most Mercs are now thoroughly respectable again. The main gripe with the CLC for car enthusiasts is its lack of passion - it is based on the previous generation C Class platform to keep costs down; this is a car for people who see cars principally as fashion statements.
On the road you can feel that this is essentially an old car - the automotive world doesn't sit still, and the CLC is not nearly as fun to drive as it should be. The car feels uncomfortable on winding country roads with suspension that never quite settles down over ruts and bumps. The CLC does feel at home on the motorway, though.
The car might have an ageing platform, but at least the interior has been brought up to date, with a dashboard similar to the one in the current C Class. For the money that Mercedes asks you to spend on the car, however, you do wonder why it couldn't have put a bit more effort into making the interior fancier.
That said the CLC is roomy inside and very quiet on the move, making it an excellent companion over longer journeys. The boot is a decent size too and you'll even be able to fit a couple of adults into the back seats although that is only advisable for shorter trips.
None of the engines are particularly scorching, but the 220 CDI diesel model offers the best blend of performance and practicality. You'll be able to squeeze almost 50mpg out of this engine, which is very respectable.
You can't help but feel that the CLC doesn't really add anything to the Mercedes range. It just feels like a well-spotted opportunity to provide an entry-level Merc for brand-conscious drivers and turn a quick profit.
Rivals like the BMW 1 Series Coupe, VW Scirocco and Audi A3 do the same sort of idea much better and with wider appeal - Mercedes picked a bad time to phone this one in.