Want a C-Class but need more space and exclusivity?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class – the compact executive car with the 3-pointed star, desired by many.  Often the first car on one’s aspiration list, it brings Mercedes-Benz esteem and prestige, at a price attainable to many people who do not want to drive something mundane, but rather appreciate something “with a badge” with the associated quality, status, safety and resale value such a car brings.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class as compact executive car

The C-Class sedan, having introduced itself to us here in South Africa in March 2014, became another instant sales success.  It is the newest car of the 3 exec German brands, and is the go-to choice for the largest percentage of buyers, giving the BMW 3 Series steep uphill by outselling it.  The compact exec sedan is a fiercely contested one.  BMW has shown the 3 Series (launched 2012) a facelift, and introduces new model names such as BMW 340i, while Audi has just shown its all-new place-it-safe design A4.

Which estate cars are still on the market?

Mercedes-Benz SA is brave to keep the C-Class estate (station wagon) along – BMW has quit on bringing in the 3 Series Touring, stating there is no local market for it, while Audi’s once-popular A4 Avant has seen it fall away, leaving only the off-road look allroad quattro and the sporty S4 Avant and performance RS4 Avant.  Volvo is the only other car maker, thanks to its proud strong station wagon history and actual sales, to keep offering their versions such as the Volvo V40 which is a blend of estate and sports hatch (see Volvo V40 T5 review) and the bigger Volvo V60 which competes against the only other remaining mid-size wagon – the Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate.

In European countries and elsewhere, estate cars are big business, but in South Africa the flavour we favour is the cross-over and SUV.  No need to see the vast selection of these popular cars.

Are we missing the attraction of the estate?

But what makes an estate car so attractive, and do they know something we don’t?  The advantage of an estate (or call it station wagon or wagon if you please) is simple:  you get the same driving experience as you would in a sedan, but you have more of a feeling of space, and more actual space to use in the load area.  The benefit to you is that you do not have the extra size and weight to carry around as you would in a comparable Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) which translates to better on-road performance using less fuel, depending on vehicle, of course. 

The cost is only slightly more than an equivalent sedan – the C-Class estate is only around R33k more than the sedan.  The Mercedes-Benz C250 BlueTec sedan Avantgarde costs R 553 100, while this Mercedes-Benz C250 BlueTec estate Avantgarde reviewed is priced at R 586 400 base.

Cool features the estate has over the sedan

Sure, the compact executive sedan is what most aspire to – it is the down-scaled luxury sedan most people want.  Though the estate offers the style, and can pack so much more.  The Easypack tailgate means you can use a button on the remote control to open and close the tailgate (so no heavy manual labour lifting needed) and of course, after packing your packages into the huge volume of boot space, simply press the button on the edge of the tailgate to close – all taken care of smoothly and electrically.

Another cool part is the rear luggage (boot) cover – when opening the tailgate, the luggage cover slides up and out the way, electrically – very neat, and a great surprise-and-delight feature.

The rear also features a net to split the passenger compartment from the luggage area, which protects people from potentially flying cargo (such as when braking hard, to avoid any objects hurtling into the back of heads).  Safe.  Only problem is, this net uses a roll-out system – normally a 1-man / 1-woman job, when trying to pull it up to hook into the roof, it kept getting caught, and could not actually slide in place without some frustration.

Nice is the silver releases located conveniently on the upper backrests, which release the rear seats to fold flat.  Rather odd is the way they release – a touch of the switch sees the seats fall flat abruptly, rather than gently.

Does it give a Mercedes-Benz sense of quality?

The feeling inside this Avantgarde trim line with all the gloss black and silver switches is one of upmarket feeling – it all feels solid and well-made.  Except for the rear luggage cover which rattles, as if it does not fit properly.

Another oddity is the front seats – the electric adjustment is for the backrest angle and the seat height, and even lumbar support… but not for the fore-aft adjustment which is exactly where the electric adjustment is needed.

Equipment highlights – some very high-tech kit

The equipment fitted is advanced, with a very long list of safety items, and optional LED intelligent headlamps making for excellent illumination. 

Some other high-tech items include head-up display and the tablet-style screen on the dashboard with high-def colour display for many car configurations.

A strong diesel engine makes sense in a load-lugger

The C-Class estate local line-up is limited to C180, C200 and this C250 BlueTec turbo diesel.  Its 2.1-litre 4-cylinder engine surprises with its strong 500Nm of torque from 1600 rpm.  On the road, this means easy overtaking and sprint, using less fuel – claimed 4.8 l/100km, though during eager driving around town, expect around 6 litres, which is still very frugal for this performance.

The 7G-Tronic gearbox is not the smoothest shifter – Mercedes-Benz should look at refining this.  The direct shift selector on the steering column is nice and simple, and clears up centre console space.

Want a C-Class but need more space and exclusivity?

Yes, the C-Class estate gives the same pleasant drive as the sedan, though adds benefits of space, and with so many sedans about, guaranteed exclusivity.