When times are hard and your fleet of top-end luxury cars are pounding the bank account, the hardest step to take would be downgrading to cheaper vehicles.

Natural instincts would say your clients would not be happy travelling in something which does not provide as much luxury in the rear, especially if they are paying the same price.

In a series of articles, thechauffeur.com discovers the vehicles you could consider when changing your fleet. Will these cheaper vehicles keep the customer happy, and will they provide the performance, image and status they expect?

There is no doubt the Mercedes-Benz brand is the most popular marque within the chauffeur and luxury limousine markets. Chauffeurs have been buying the S-Class ever since it was invented all those decades ago.

It has always been the client’s favourite, due to the famous three-point star, stunning image, acres of legroom in the long-wheel base models and chauffeurs love them due to the economical engines and ‘saleability’ to clients.

The C-Class is not the cheapest of the Merc range by far, but it differs greatly to the S-Class. Base models can be very basic and powerless, but hi-end versions can be surprisingly good but then, being a Mercedes, you will always pay the price.

Our test C220 CDi Sport Estate model certainly looked the part. In off-white, privacy glass all-round and stunning AMG body styling made the C-Class stand-out from any other. If this pulled-up outside the clients house, then they would definitely know this model is better than most.

But would it keep them happy? There are little toys in the rear, well none in fact. Legroom is also very limited, but suitable for a 6ft passenger for a short period of time. As our model is the Sport version, the ride is harsh, far too hard to keep it un-noticeable from Sir in the back.

On the up side – the estate version offers tonnes of boot space, enough for three passengers and suitcases, which makes this vehicle perfect for the airport runs – and at 47mpg, it certainly won’t break the bank in fuel.

The manual gearbox would have to go – and smaller wheels with more tyre on them would also be on the list. Generally the vehicle would make a very good private hire vehicle, but for the same price as a basic E-Class, it does make me wonder if it is over-priced.