I have always liked estate cars, writes Brian Byrne. My first four cars were wagons, two Opel Rekord estates and two Vauxhall Viva estates. Each suited to the particular kinds of work I was doing at the time.
But I'm in a minority in this country. For some reason, wagons aren't popular. Certainly not as much as they are in other markets like the UK and Italy.
However, premium level cars which have wagon variants attract significantly more buyers to the option. The most recent one to grace my driveway was the new generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate.
Just arrived in Ireland, the latest version of the brand's biggest selling car has been substantially smartened up. At the front the car gets a revised bumper and grille, and at the rear details that work to make the car look wider. The execution of the tailgate style is particularly pleasing.
The detailing involved in the headlights is sparkling. The roof rails add both length and strength, and are in fact strong enough to be useful. And the character shaping along the profile makes the car one of the most visually interesting in its own segment.
A lot has happened inside. The dashboard is a strong design with very definite infill elements that in hands less deft might have become incoherent. The instruments are the best I have seen in several years, not least because of the graduated browns that make up their background. Sounds funny, sure, but it really is classy with verve.
And while I'm on them, the central large speedometer is what I would like to see every other carmaker emulate. Speed information right in front of the driver, distractions much diminished. The centre-dash screen is neatly placed, with the management of its systems, including the radio, via a an uncomplicated rotary switch on the centre console. I-Drive it isn't, and the better for it.
I was quite bowled over by the interior finish of the review car, which in the Avantgarde specification level comes with seats trimmed in a mix of man-made leather and a high-tech fabric. Bold colour schemes and aluminium trim details made for an ambience far from the stuffiness that might be expected in the segment.
Given that it is the smaller Mercedes-Benz in the saloon/estate formats, the new C-Class is relatively roomy. Certainly for those of us up front, plenty of leg and shoulder room. For the ones who sit in back, it isn't bad. Though behind a tall driver, I'd have some twisting to do to get my feet from under the seat. Other than that, pretty comfortable.
Estates are for luggage too, of course, and for more of it. The cargo section of the new C-Class Estate is finished in fine black carpet, with a couple of netted side compartments to stow small rollabout stuff. Underneath the liftup floor is more small spaces and below them a skinny spare.
Flip the rear seatbacks and you get an almost-flat floor and 1,500 litres of capacity. A rake of optional storage solutions can be had to lock down various kinds of load.
There's a great feel of quality and fine finish about this car, maybe more than I have sensed in the model's predecessors.
The review car was the 200 CDI BlueEfficiency. A 2.1 engine is one of a set which were introduced in 2009 and are well thought of as refined and easy on the fuel. A 7-speed automatic that's the latest in this type of gearbox technology makes the engine only marginally more thirsty than the 6-speed manual and offers around the equivalent of 56mpg. It is B rated for Irish tax.
A punchy 360Nm of torque comes in at a low 1600rpm, so there's always a smooth liftoff here. The performance from the 136hp unit isn't designed to burn rubber, as the 10s shift to 100km/h shows. But it feels good, especially if you switch it into 'S' mode for a sportier set of characteristics.
The suspension automatically adapts for the kind of road the car is on, whether ropey twists or smooth highway macadam. It's a seamless experience, reflecting the whole drive with this car. My overall experience was seriously pleasant.
With prices starting around €39,000, this review version clocks in at closer to €46,000, depending on the extras.
As I've said, I always had a soft spot for estates. And I really like this one.
