CAR TESTWith all the attention for the electric car, you would almost forget that there are also good newcomers who still drive on fuel or with hybrid drive. Like the Mercedes C-Class Estate.
Mercedes-Benz C200 Estate, from €56.743
In the business market, the C-Class manages to hold its own as a sedan and station wagon amid a surplus of SUVs. This has been one of the best-selling Mercedes-Benz models for years. Those who place less value on a high seat or the appearance of an all-terrain vehicle, will receive a spacious, comfortable car with this proven recipe that is ideal as a family and business car.
As soon as you step into the C-Class, you enter the digital age. Standard is a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and a central screen of 11.9 inches. The seating space in the rear is generous. The luggage compartment of the Estate has a volume of 490 liters. That’s enough, but there are station wagons of this size that offer more.
With its extensive and advanced safety equipment, this is one of the safest cars available today. The interior is exemplary with the use of materials that emphasize that this is really a ‘premium car’. At the same time, it is strange that in such a premium car you have to pay extra for traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control or a radiographic ignition key with start button.
View the prices and specifications here of all Mercedes-Benz C-Class models, collected by AutoWeek.
The voice control that regularly springs into action unsolicited is downright irritating: ‘What can I do for you?’ Mercedes still has to work on that. Meanwhile, the MBUX infotainment is extremely versatile. The touchscreen works well, although we also see here that a car manufacturer stumbles over all the ingenuity that modern electronics offer. Simple, well-arranged operation still proves to be a challenge.
The tested car has a fine 1.5 liter four-cylinder petrol engine (mild hybrid, test consumption 1 to 15.2). The chassis is a star when it comes to comfort and road holding. Together with the smoothly functioning (9-speed) automatic transmission, all this invites you to long journeys.
Plus
+ Exemplary handling.
+ Comfortable chassis.
+ Lots of seating space in the back.
+ Advanced infotainment.
+ High security level.
min
– Standard equipment not complete.
– No shine in luggage space.
– Annoying voice control.
– Well priced.
Conclusion
This Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate combines a classic powertrain with the latest technology. In addition, it offers plenty of space for passengers and is wonderfully comfortable to drive. Too bad its equipment doesn’t always justify the high price.
Additional test notes
Since the last model renewal, the C-Class is available as a mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid and has 48 Volt technology and an integrated starter alternator on board. The aim of all this: to reduce fuel consumption as much as possible, without the high costs and weight of fully electric propulsion.
The C-Class has grown with the latest model renewal. The wheelbase increased by 2.5 cm and the overall length increased by 6.5 cm for the sedan and 4.9 cm for the Estate. Both versions are the same length: 4.75 meters. Legroom in the rear has increased by 2.1 cm.
Thanks in part to the very direct steering, this Mercedes is very manoeuvrable. Its turning circle (10.64 meters) is surprisingly small for such a large car.
Rear-axle steering is one of the expensive options, but special in this class. The Digital Light option is also unique, which can project directions and warning symbols onto the road surface, among other things.
Navigation is possible thanks to augmented reality apparently showing you the way with arrows in the street.
The C-Class Estate is for sale from €52,613, for the C180 (125 kW/170 hp) Business Line. The C200 (150 kW/204 hp) has been tested, which is in the price list from € 56,743, also as a Business Line. Both engine versions have a 1.5 liter petrol engine. The tested car also has the extra rich and sporty AMG Line equipment, bringing its total price to € 62,567.
An interesting alternative to the tested car is the C300e Business Line Limited plug-in hybrid, which combines a 2.0 liter petrol engine with an electric motor. It costs € 57,538 and is particularly special because of its relatively large electric range of 100 kilometers. But with this version you have to give up a large part of the luggage space. That is in fact 360 instead of 490 liters. Of course there is a much lower fuel consumption: on the other hand, especially if you make many short journeys and often recharge. And then there is a halving of the road tax, thanks to the incentive policy of the Dutch government.
You will find all previously published tests in our extensive Autotest file.
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