Review: Mercedes C-Class Estate

Maybe there are better ways to start a year of car reviews, but I'm certainly happy to do so with a 191 Mercedes-Benz, writes Brian Byrne.

In this case, the C-Class estate, possibly quite the nicest Merc currently available and decently achievable.

It's a facelifted version of the model that is one of the traditional cars from the brand. When it came out first in 1993 it was the 'baby' Benz, but since then has grown through its teens to adulthood and is very much a full car in size and accommodation. The 'baby' space has for some years now been occupied by the A and B classes which opened up the premium brand to a much younger demographic.

The style revisions are relatively minor, mostly bumpers and lights, and some chrome highlighting. Minor is a good thing, because the sleek and smart style of the current C-Class is already close in aesthetics to the equivalent of the golden mean in art. And to my personal view is at its best in the estate. There's a balance in the long bonnet against the length of the wagon body that is particularly neat. The silver grey of the review car works well with the whole sense.

I remember a time when the interior of the C-Class didn't feel as sumptuous as its elder E and S cars. That's no longer the case, and the ambience of my review car felt as premium as anyone would want. There's also a nice symmetry in the revisited dashboard and infotainment design. The leather seats and trim looked and felt right for full membership of the three-pointed star gang. A special word for the wide centre screen, which manages to 'float' above things without looking like an afterthought.

The C200d I had was automatic, as it should be, and the current unobtrusive column-mounted shifter meant there was plenty of room on the centre console for the large knob to manage the various screen functions. As these things go, notwithstanding the greater level of complication and distractions which they can mean, the Mercedes system is fairly painless.

It's a roomy car in its adult years, and with the estate the load capacity is quite enormous for its segment. Luxuriously carpeted, the load bay is also easily extended by flipping the back seats via a couple of discreet buttons just inside the tailgate area. while not quite long enough to cart a flatpack of the tall Ikea Billy bookshelf, that job is doable by moving the front passenger seat as far forward as it will go.

Which means that any passenger will need to use the seat behind the driver, sitting beside the long load. No hardship, really.

The car as reviewed came with a big selection of technology, though without the smart 'active' cruise control which I have come to expect when reviewing at this level. It did have drive modes from eco through to sport, and in whichever was chosen gave a relevant mix of driving characteristics. Always it proved a very composed and refined ride.

The car was powered by a new 1.6 diesel, and the autobox is the latest 9-speed unit offered by the company. With 150hp available, and exceptionally unobtrusive shifting, it's as smooth a combination as you could wish for. There are new 1.5 and 2.0 petrol engines as well.

May the year continue as it has started.

PRICE: From €39,630; Review version from €45,200.

---