Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate review

This is now the seventh generation of Merc’s executive estate. It’s had enough time to puzzle out the format since the iconic W123 arrived back in 1977. If the SUV hadn’t risen so far, so fast there’s every chance we’d still see this as the benchmark car for well to do, 2.4-kid families. But Merc clearly doesn’t believe in the E-Class as much as it used to. Witness the fact there’s just three powertrains to choose from: one petrol, one diesel, one hybrid.

Which would you have?

We can’t answer that one for you. The hybrid is the best all-rounder, apart from its cost and reduced load capacity: that’s very disappointing for a car that has long prided itself on practicality. But it is efficient. Against the 42.2mpg/152g/km of the petrol and 56.5mpg/131g/km diesel, the hybrid promises 470.8mpg/13g/km. Never going to happen of course, but in mixed driving over a week with a couple of electric top ups we got 68.5mpg. Obviously you’ve got to factor in the cost of the electric, but as a real world solution Merc’s hybrid is still the class of the field.

What about the other engines?

We’ve driven the diesel, but not the petrol yet. As a fuel diesel’s reputation is unsalvageable at this point, but the 220d is a dutiful unit, quietly going about its business without fuss or coarseness. 194bhp and 324lb ft is right in the Goldilocks zone for what you really need; 7.9s to 0-62mph suggests it’s sluggish, but in practice it doesn’t feel it. On a long motorway cruise we've got close to 60mpg out of it too.

Meanwhile the hybrid is a really well integrated set-up, with paddles that can either control gearshifts in the nine-speed automatic or brake regen depending on what mode you’re in. The brake pedal itself is a bit spongy and long in travel, but it's consistent even when pads and regen are working in tandem. Good.

There’s a battery hold mode which maintains charge level – useful if you’re driving into a city – while electric can power the E-Class up to 87mph. Just not that quickly.

Drive gently and handovers between the power sources are largely undetectable. It’s Achilles Heel is what it’s like if you clog it. Because that four cylinder is coarse and intrusive at higher revs. But there’s enough torque and power that despite an EU weight figure of 2,210kg, you can get around easily without waking up the sorehead under the bonnet. It’s not the sort of car you want to go investigating what 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds feels like anyway. It’s about getting around effortlessly.

And does it saunter well?

It’s not quite as soft as Merc’s own all-electric EQE. That has a lovely, gliding primary ride on smooth roads. But the E-Class Estate runs it close, has much superior body control and is more agile and enjoyable to drive. It’s a calm, quiet cruiser that’s at its best on long motorway hauls.

There’s more good news too: it’s satisfying to steer, with well weighted controls and Merc seems to have sorted out the awkward handover from regen to hydraulic braking. That’s more natural now. There’s no real fly in the ointment in terms of the dynamics.

What about rivals though?

Good point. You might want to bear in mind that a new 5 Series Touring is due soon, and saloon versions have already shown they blend comfort and handling better than the Mercedes.

The i5 Touring is already here of course, and many weighing up the switch to some kind of electrification will be pondering this and the E300e. If only a reputable car publication had brought the two together to test on identical roads. Hang on... we have! Click that link to read our verdict.

There aren’t many other competitors out there right now. The A6 Avant awaits the arrival of the handsome new e-tron electric version, but there’s always that old favourite: Skoda’s Superb. It might not have the image and quality of the premium marques, but as an honest workhorse it does the job more efficiently than any of them. Volvo has brought back its estates, but for how long?

Any other figures worth talking about here?

84kg. That’s the maximum nose weight you can put on the towbar. Merc has upped it chiefly to allow owners to carry electric bikes on towbar racks. But it also allows you to tow more ill-balanced trailers and caravans, you lucky people. Max towing weight is 2,100kg, or 750kg for unbraked trailers.