Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate review

Hard to say, given we’ve not yet driven a new C-Class in UK spec. The two we’ve tested so far – a C300d Saloon and C200 Estate – were fitted with rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers and in the case of the Saloon, all-wheel drive. We can’t get any of that stuff in the UK, meaning the C-Classes you’ll actually be able to buy here later this year may drive quite differently from the ones we’ve already tried. 

Hopefully not, though, because so-equipped the C-Class Estate drives rather well. On first impressions it appears to be gunning for the middle-ground between the fine-handling 3 Series Touring and uber-refined A4 Avant. It’s not as much fun to drive as the former nor is it as much of a sensory deprivation chamber as the latter, but the C-Class Estate handles a B-road just fine and settles into a quiet, relaxed cruise on the motorway. 

The adaptive dampers make the C soft and floaty in Comfort mode – sometimes too floaty – but dial in a bit more body control in Sport. In all it’s a comfortable car. To drive it smoothly you'll need to master the brakes - not progressive, too much pedal travel. Not confidence-inspiring. 

We’ll update this review as soon as we’ve driven a C-Class Estate in UK-spec. 

WHAT ENGINES CAN I CHOOSE FROM?

You’ve got three options – one petrol and two diesels, all with rear-wheel drive (Merc does offer AWD, but not in the UK), a nine-speed automatic gearbox and 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. 

The petrol is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder badged ‘C200’ – long gone are the days the badge on the back of your shiny new Merc in any way resembled what was under the bonnet – and it’s… fine. Mercedes claims 201bhp and 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, but it doesn’t feel that fast and likes to make itself heard when you push on. 

The familiar 2.0-litre diesel from the E-Class et al. is a better fit, either as a 220 or 300d. We’ve only tried the C300d so far, and in a C-Class Saloon at that – with 261bhp and 406lb ft of torque it’s jolly quick (0-62mph claimed in 5.8 seconds) and very refined to boot. One of, if not THE best four-cylinder diesel engines around. Pairs well with the nine-speed ‘box too.