Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate review

It’s in here where the new C-Class most resembles Merc’s luxury flagship, the almighty S-Class. All UK C-Class Saloons and Estates get the 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen, running the company’s latest ‘MBUX’ infotainment system, and another 12.3-inch display for the driver. The centre screen is canted slightly towards the driver, and actually isn’t as difficult to use as you might think. 

Prodding, pinching and swiping your way through menus while driving is still far from ideal, but Merc’s system is significantly more user friendly (and better looking) than some others we’ve tried recently. Besides touch, you can operate it via swipy touchpads on the steering wheel or the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant. 

The touchpads are just plain irritating, as indeed they are in every car (not just Mercs) that have them, but the voice control is getting steadily better. Hardly Siri or Alexa, but not that far off. 

DOES IT FEEL EXPENISVE? 

For the most part, yes. Not only does the new C-Class look like an S-Class inside, but it feels like one too. That said our test cars were both very high-spec – that lovely tan leather probably won’t make it to the UK, and that’s a shame because it really lifts the cabin. 

The top of the dashboard and fascia both feel plush, as do the aerospace-inspired air-vents. With few physical buttons this will prove to be a divisive cabin, but there’s no denying it looks pretty remarkable. 

Where it falls down is the scratchy black plastic that covers the glovebox and door bins – feels more A-Class than C-Class. 

WHAT’S IT LIKE IN THE BACK? 

Better than the C-Class Saloon, but head- and leg-room are still only OK if you’re approaching six-feet tall. No such problems in the front – the seats are comfy and supportive and the driving position is spot-on. 

HOW BIG IS THE BOOT VERSUS RIVALS? 

The C-Class Estate’s boot is up 30-litres on the outgoing car’s, meaning it’s now on par with the BMW 3 Series Touring and actually a little bigger than the Audi A4 Avant or Volvo V60. Still can’t compete with the cavernous Skoda Superb mind you, but then again very little can. Not even the mighty E-Class can hold a candle to the mammoth Skoda. 

Mercedes tells us the boot lip is lower for easier loading and unloading, and that the cargobay itself is longer. The rear seats can be folded flat with little toggle switches in the boot, so you can start hauling things in without having to go around and flip the seats down first. 

Something to watch for – the old plug-in hybrid C-Class Estate had a sizable hump in the boot floor for the high-voltage battery. We haven’t seen the new C300e Estate’s boot yet, but we’d be surprised if Mercedes hadn’t fixed the problem.