Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate (S205)

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

There is now an estate version of the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class where it has the same features that you get from the normal saloon version only now, it has a bigger boot for your groceries plus an added feature that you can open the tailgate handsfree. Not only it's one of the good-looking estates that you can drive through the shops but it's one of the most technologically-advanced estates you can buy if you have enough cash in your wallets, but is it any good as the competition?

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate interior

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate interior

The first thing you'll need to know about the new Estate version is its space and thanks to its sportier rear end, we can expect more load capacity and more variability than the previous C-Class Estate. It's now 5 litres more than the old one but when the rear seats are folded, the maximum load capacity is now 1510 litres, 10 more than the old one. That's enough space to fit a single bed, a mattress, and a motor mower...as a theory.

The rear seats now comes with a 40:20:40 split rather than the traditional 60:40 split so it can accommodate wide range of possibilities depending on the situation. It can be turned into either a 3-seater or a 2-seater at the back, whatever floats your boat.

Stealing one of Ford Motor Company's ideas, the C-Class Estate features an available EASY-PACK tailgate and the HANDS-FREE ACCESS system. At a lift of your foot, the tailgate automatically opens and that's great when your hands are full of stuff you've shopped from the groceries. If I got tons of stuff because of the whole competing-for-the-longest-receipt thing, the C-Class Estate has no worries carrying record-breaking groceries in a pinch so job done.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

Expect the same powertrain from the sedan variant such as the 1.6L turbo petrol on the C180, 2.0L turbo petrol on the C200, a 2.2L diesel engine on the C220 BlueTEC, and some more especially the high-performance 3.0L V6 BiTurbo engine developing 333PS of power and 480Nm of torque on the C400 model. Of course, most variants come with either a 6-speed manual or a 7G-TRONIC PLUS gearbox so you'll have so many choices to decide when buying your very own C-Class Estate.

As for driving feel, it's not quite bad for a sport tourer at this magnitude and it tries to be a serious player in the high stakes world of competition. It's well-balanced, it's poised, and it's much nicer to drive even at the bends. If this was your Sir Chief's choice, there's no better alternative to it and you can really make do with all the thingamabobs served in this sport tourer. Like the sedan version, the C-Class Estate features an innovative multi-link suspension which allows this car to handle sharply through the bends and its aluminium bodywork that makes it more rigid and lighter than the old one. Even if its a sports tourer, it's all business for us because with all the things that surrounds you while driving this car, this is like getting your hands full with the family business. if you know what I mean?

Safety-wise, this sport tourer features a wide range of safety features as well as driver-assist systems which takes good use of its radar, stereo camera and ultrasound to tell the driver what should do in various situations on the road ahead. It feels like the future is now thanks to science and science is amazing but don't overestimate those safety features because...it's only for emergencies when you need it.

The C-Class Estate starts at 35,224 Euros which is a few more than the sedan version and more expensive than its rivals from BMW and Audi but if its practicality, science, and individuality you want, this estate is for you because like that saloon, it feels like it's a class apart from its opposition.

Photo: Daimler AG