2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best Luxury Car under $80,000

Everyone wants a little bit of luxury in their life, and, with our economy still sailing along a rich vein of resources, middle-class Australians are snapping-up mid-size prestige cars in record numbers.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the most popular of the conventional sedans - and our two-time reigning champion as the Best Luxury Car under $80,000. And while it faces off against myriad of rivals in showrooms, from long-time rivals BMW and Audi as well as challenger brands such as Lexus, Jaguar, Infiniti, Volvo and a revived Alfa Romeo from next year, the only newcomer in 2016 worthy of a Drive Car of the Year finalist spot is Audi's fifth-generation A4.

And what a fight it is going to be, as the A4 presented here, in 2.0TFSI quattro specification, is one step higher up the ladder from the entry-level Mercedes-Benz C200, bringing with it a more powerful engine, an all-wheel drive transmission and a higher grade of basic equipment.

With a starting price of $69,900 (plus on-road costs), it commands an $8500 premium over the Benz but it's 2.0-litre turbo charged four cylinder produces 185kW and 370Nm that means it can rocket from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds while consuming a claimed average of 6.3L of premium unleaded for every 100km - all very impressive numbers for this class.

The judges all praised the Audi's powertrain for its flexibility, citing its refinement in everyday conditions and its more sporting character under heavy acceleration. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can still be a bit hesitant in quick getaways, but in all other circumstances it shifts seamlessly and quickly.

The A4's sportiness is also derived from elements other than the engine, such as the all-wheel drive system that ensures it remains secure and sure-footed during enthusiastic driving, its lightweight construction and a host of optional extras that were fitted to our particular test car, including adaptive suspension and the S-Line package that brings body enhancements and 19-inch wheels.

Beyond that, it also had metallic paint, Audi's Technik Package that adds the impressive 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel and heads-up display and the safety-focused Assistance Package that brings radar cruise control, active lane assist, collision avoidance and active high beams.

In the end, it took the total price over $80,000, which one judge said showcased how sensitive the A4 could be to specifications while another pointed out that it technically tips this example into our next category.

That said, one tick of the box would put it right.

What cannot be argued though is the meticulous presentation of the A4's cabin, which the judges all commended for being more modern in its design and offering slightly more space in the rear.

The C200 isn't a two-time champion - and previous outright Car of the Year winner - for nothing, and has stood the test of time beautifully.

Its cabin is a bit simpler, lacking the wow factor of the Audi's digital dash and industrial metal highlights, but it is no less elegant in the way it blends some timeless Mercedes-Benz cues with modern elements and all layered in top-quality materials.

And the rear seat isn't as capable of carting large adults as comfortably, with the sunroof impeding headroom while the sloping roof line requires passengers to duck their heads a little more to get in and out through the tighter aperture.

That sunroof, though, is part of the optional Vision Package fitted to our test example, which also brings LED headlights, a 360-degree camera and heads-up display (although it was missing from this particular car - which one judge acknowledged isn't the first account of a mis-build from Benz).

On the road, the little Merc drives like a genuine luxury car. The 2.0-litre turbo charged engine - which produces 135kW and 300Nm in C200 specification - is, in reality, all you'll ever need, offering decent low-rev pulling power, a willingness to rev when called upon for swift overtaking and great economy, and is mated to a sweet-shifting seven-speed automatic.

It's clearly not as focused on the driving enthusiast as the Audi, but it never feels underwhelming nor is it obviously a base-spec powerplant with a quiet and refined demeanour in most circumstances.

Despite Audi's advances in lightweight construction, the C200 actually tips the scales some 60kg lighter than the A4 with a kerb weight of 1450kg that puts it in the same realm as most small hatchbacks. You can feel it out on the road, where the C200 remains delicately balanced with beautiful body control over rough surfaces and, while not sitting quite as flat through the bends, has the same kind of agility as the Audi.

From a safety perspective, both cars are right at the forefront of the latest technologies. The C200 has nine airbags compared to the Audi's eight, and both are fitted with systems such as a reverse camera, ISOFIX child restraints and, at the very least, have autonomous emergency braking as standard.

They both also have similar long-term running costs, with three year warranties, reasonably affordable three-year servicing plans ($1979 for the Benz and $1620 for the Audi) and forecasted resale values of around 60 percent at the end of the first three years.

We really are splitting hairs in this contest as both the Mercedes-Benz C200 and Audi A4 are excellent examples of modern, mid-sized, middle-class luxury machines. That much was clear when the judges' initial votes were tied with three top scores apiece. Not even (a robust) further debate and a second round of voting altered the results.

In the real world, both of these are winners, but there can only be one winner in this contest. And considering the Mercedes-Benz impressed as many judges in base-level specification while the Audi needed $12,000 of extras that altered its dynamic attributes, the C200 remains our Best Luxury Car under $80,000.

Judges' Votes

Mercedes-Benz C200 - 9

Audi A4 2.0TFSI Quattro - 9

(The Drive Car of the Year judging process awards points to every car in the category according to the position they were ranked by all six judges. The car with the lowest score therefore wins the category. If this vehicle defeats the existing category champion it is then eligible for the overall 2016 Drive Car of the Year award.)

2016 Mercedes-Benz C200 pricing and specifications

Price: From $61,400 plus on-road costs

As-tested: $66,390 (with Vision Package)

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 135kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1200-4000rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, RWD

Fuel use: 6.0L/100km

• For all the latest info, visit our Mercedes-Benz showroom

2016 Audi A4 2.0TFSI Quattro pricing and specifications

Price: From $69,900 plus on-road costs

As tested: $80,588 (with S-Line Pack, Technik Pack, Assistance Pack, metallic paint and adaptive suspension)

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 185kW at 5000-6000rpm

Torque: 370Nm at 1600-4500rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 6.3L/100km

• For all the latest info, visit our Audi showroom