Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate 2024 Review

If you want a comfortable, refined and posh estate car that's not the size of a bus, the Mercedes C-Class Estate is for you. True, other estates are more practical but the latest C-Class Estate is more than a match for its direct rivals here - the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant. 

If you're after dynamic handling we'd suggest the BMW, the Mercedes instead majors on comfort with well judged suspension and an easy-to-drive nature that's been a Mercedes hallmark for many years. If you're a technophile, you'll love the interior with its huge screens and the MBUX advanced infotainment system.

The standout model in the latest Mercedes C-Class Estate range is undoubtedly the C 300 e. This plug-in hybrid has an electric range of 65, far more than any of the competition. In fact, it's one of the best PHEVs on the market. While around town you're unlikely to use the petrol engine, when it does come into play on longer journeys, you can expect to see around 60mpg, similar to a C 220 d.

The AMG Line comes very well equipped for the money and looks the part too, so we'd stick with this rather than spending more on the AMG Line Premium.

Rivals to the Mercedes C-Class Estate include the ever popular Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring. The Audi is at a disadvantage in that there's no PHEV version, unlike BMW which has the BMW 330e Touring plug-in hybrid to compete with the Mercedes C 300 e.

There's also the excellent Volvo V60 which comes as a plug-in hybrid in the form of the T8 model. If you want something different there's the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, a newcomer to the UK market.

Others to consider? If you want more space for your money there's the Skoda Superb Estate and Volkswagen Passat Estate while we also rate the Peugeot 508 SW.

Mercedes-Benz has talked a lot about improving interior quality in this generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate and overall, it's certainly an improvement on the old model. 

That's most noticeable on high spec models with their leather covered door tops and posher trims. However, on standard versions, things feel less plush with some of the door plastics and speaker covers not up the standards you'd expect of a car that costs this much. 

That's not to detract from the rest though. This is still a beautifully built car with a quality feel to the all the main controls along with impeccable fit and finish.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate is dominated by a huge iPad-style 11.9 inch touchscreen that flows neatly into the centre console. It's a bright, clear high resolution display and works pretty much like any smart phone.

This is how the MBUX infotainment system (and pretty much everything else) is controlled and also means that there are very few other buttons in the cabin. That's good news for your OCD but not so good if you want to quickly turn up the air conditioning on the move. We'd prefer physical buttons for that.

To be fair, the climate functions are always displayed at the bottom, so maybe we're being a bit picky here, but it does highlight the dependancy on one screen. What happens if it stops working for instance?

The MBUX system itself is easy to navigate and intuitive enough, plus responds quickly to inputs. We think it's one of the best infotainment systems around. Like any touchscreen system, there are seemingly endless menus and settings, but likely only a few you'll use regularly. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard fit, which will be the default choice for many plus a wireless phone-charging pad and two USB sockets in the centre console. There are controls on the steering wheel, but rather than physical, these are touch sensitive, with varying success. It's almost impossible to turn the volume up a fraction, for instance. Instead you end up deafening everyone.

MBUX also features voice activation and it's one of the better ones. Say the words "Hey Mercedes..." followed by your request and it will do most things from setting a nav destination to turning up the air con. It's very clever, but whether anyone actually uses it without feeling like a fool, is another matter...

Mercedes has improved space throughout this generation C-Class Estate so as well as more headroom for those in the back (and more knee room), there's also a bigger boot. Carrying space has increased by 30 litres to 490 litres and 1510 litres with the back seats dropped.

That puts the Mercedes C-Class Estate pretty much on par with bootspace in the BMW 3 Series Touring (at 500 litres) and the Audi A4 Avant (505 litres).

Usefully, all models come with a standard electric tailgate and luggage cover. Loading large and awkward items is made easier by the wide opening and low load lip. We also like the underfloor storage which is handy for hiding items away, although this disappears on the C 300 e PHEV model. There are two useful hooks on the sides which stop shopping bags moving about every time you turn a corner.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of storage places with good sized door pockets front and back plus a split armrest in the high centre console. At the front of that there are two cupholders.

Unlike an SUV you can't recline the rear seats or slide them, but they do at least split 40/20/40 which is handy if you want to fold down one half with a car seat fitted to the other. Cleverly, if you have electric seats fitted, they automatically move forward when the back row drops down - and then return to their previous position when you put the seats back up.

In terms of the exterior, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate's dimensions are 4755mm long, 1841mm wide (2033mm with mirrors) and 1494mm tall. 

The stand out model in the Mercedes C-Class Estate range is undoubtedly the C 300 e. This plug-in hybrid version has a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery - for context that's the same as the first generation Nissan Leaf. It means the C 300 e can cover up to 65 miles on EV power alone at which point the 2.0-litre petrol engine kicks in.

That's far more than the BMW 330e Touring which has a 37 mile battery range while a Volvo V60 T8 only has a 28 mile range. 

Alongside that are familiar Mercedes engines starting with the C 200, a 1.5-litre petrol with 200PS while the C 300 petrol is a 2.0-litre engine with 258PS.

The C 220 d and C 300 d are both powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel. The 220 d has 200PS while the 300 d is boosted to 265PS with 550Nm of torque. 

Diesel may be no longer a popular choice for many, but there's a strong case for the C 220 d. It's very quiet, smooth and produces more than enough power for every day driving. It's easy to see why for many C-Class Estate buyers, this is still the default choice, especially when it's considerably cheaper than the C 300 e PHEV model.

The nine-speed automatic gearbox works supremely well with the C 220 d delivering incredibly smooth shifts for effortless progress. It's also very quiet.

The performance AMG 43 model is sadly no longer a six-cylinder as in the previous model. Instead Mercedes has downsized this to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder 408PS petrol.

All engines get the 9G-Tronic automatic as standard and come with mild-hybrid drive. This has 48-volt technology and an integrated starter-generator which adds 20PS. It can start the engine and provide a power boost when needed.

The Mercedes C-Class Estate is incredibly quiet. That's a given for the likes of the C 300 e PHEV, but what's most impressive is how hushed the C 220 d model is. Four-cylinder diesels aren't exactly renowned for their refinement, but thanks to improved sound deadening and that smooth nine-speed automatic, the C-Class Estate is incredibly quiet, both on start-up and while driving.

Even when the stop/start kicks in, it's barely noticeable, a far cry from older Mercedes-Benz systems. Get up to motorway speeds and the Mercedes C-Class Estate remains impressive with little road or wind noise upsetting the quiet cabin.

As we've already mentioned, the suspension set-up errs on the side of comfort, which is good news for refinement as the C-Class Estate doesn't crash over potholes and smooths out rough road surfaces well, insulating passengers from any vibration or harshness.

Like its predecessor, the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate was awarded the maximum five star safety rating from Euro NCAP. This was specifcally for the saloon, but we can say with confidence that the estate version is equally as safe.

It scored strongly across the board with a 93% rating for adult occupant safety and 89% for child occupant safety. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.

The Mercedes C-Class is fitted with an advanced eCall system which alerts the emergency services in the event of a crash. It also has a system which applies the brakes after an impact, to avoid secondary collisions.

All models come with a reversing camera with a large clear display. Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG Line Premium models have a  360-degree camera with a 'bird's-eye view' of the area surrounding, augmenting the car on top.

The previous Mercedes-Benz C-Class didn't fare well in the 2022 Honest John Satisfaction Index, finishing as one of the worse cars for owner satisfaction. While owners' are impressed with the comfort, and refinement when it comes to running costs and repairs, it scored poorly. It's certainly far from being one of the most reliable cars out there.

In fact, the C-Class had one of the lowest scores for repair costs from owners', averaging at just 7.05 out of 10. A quick search shows that this is a common theme across many reliability and owner surveys. 

While this generation Mercedes C-Class is new, it's likely to follow a similar path so regular maintenance, albeit not cheap, is key. 

The Mercedes C-Class Estate is similar to its main estate rivals in terms of insurance costs. The cheapest model to insure is the C 200 petrol which starts at insurance group 33E. The popular C 220 d is between groups 35E and 38E depending on trim while the C 300 e is a group 45E. The performance Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Estate is group 44E.

As all Mercedes C-Class Estate models cost more than £40k new, you will unfortunately have to pay an extra £355 a year tax for five years. That's in addition to the standard annual VED rate of £165 (or £155 for the C 300 e).

The first year tax rate is worked out on emissions. Go for a C 220 d and it's only £180 but the C 200 and C 300 will cost you £575. 

There are four equipment levels in the Mercedes C-Class Estate range: Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus. A 9G-Tronic gearbox comes as standard on all cars.

Standard equipment on Mercedes C-Class Estate Sport and AMG Line models includes a 12.3-inch digital driver display, 11.9-inch central display, MBUX infotainment system, including wireless smartphone integration, LED headlights, heated seats, leather upholstery, Blind Spot Assist, rearview camera and wireless phone charging.

Mercedes C-Class Estate AMG Line Premium adds Digital Light, Parking Package including 360° camera, Memory package including electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seats, Keyless Go Comfort package and augmented reality for navigation.

Mercedes C-Class Estate AMG Line Premium Plus adds a Burmester 3D surround sound system, head-up display, Thermotronic automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof and access to music streaming services via MBUX.