MODEL TESTED: Mercedes C 220 d Estate AMG Line Edition

PRICE: £41,155 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp

THE Mercedes C-Class was facelifted in 2018, and the saloon version fared well, winning its first test in that year. This is the first time we’ve brought the Estate version together with its rivals, and in C 220 d AMG Line Edition trim, it costs £41,155. We were supplied with a 4MATIC four-wheel-drive model, so our economy and performance figures are for this specification, but it’s no longer available new.

Design & engineering

THE C-Class Estate is based on

Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture

(MRA). This isn’t a brand new set-up like on the latest BMW 3 Series; it was what underpinned the previous model, too, but has evolved to feature the latest technology.

Another element of the facelift included a new 191bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, which was a big improvement over what came before. It’s the most powerful unit here, although its torque figure of 400Nm is the same as both other competitors.

It uses a slightly different suspension to its rivals, with a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear set-up, while this AMG Line Edition gets lowered sports suspension as standard. Adaptive dampers aren’t currently available on the C-Class because Mercedes has reduced the range of options on offer.

The C-Class’ interior is much more traditional than those of its rivals. The design wraps around the driver and front passenger, and while material quality is on par with the Volvo’s and BMW ’s, the design doesn’t have the minimalist feel of the former nor the modern, sleek set-up of the latter.

There is still lots of technology, though. Its

10. 25-inch infotainment display includes sat-nav and you also get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, so it matches its rivals for displays.

AMG Line Edition models also come with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather seats, a reversing camera, AEB, heated seats and climate control. Changes to the C-Class range mean that there are now very few options to add; even the Premium and Premium Plus packs are now only available by going up to a higher trim level. This could be beneficial for company car drivers, though, because it cuts out paying extra tax on optional extras.

Driving

THE Mercedes is set up for comfort, and it achieves this for the most part. It covers ground smoothly on most roads, and while potholes and harsher bumps do thud into the cabin, the C-Class Estate matches the BMW and Volvo for overall comfort.

The ride on the motorway offers a little more float. However, it can’t match the 320d for driver enjoyment, because there’s more body roll in corners as a result and it has numb steering. The steering has a nicer weight than the V60, but neither can match the BMW for fun. Yet with lots of grip and its punchy turbo engine, the Mercedes is still good to drive. It’s satisfying to keep your speed up in bends.

That motor is strong, too. The C-Class was quickest from 0-60mph (7.1 seconds), although it fell behind its rivals in the higher gears from 50-70mph, taking 5.9 seconds in fifth, next to the 5.0 and 5.3-second

times from the BMW and Volvo respectively. Plus it needed 4. 2 seconds to go from 30-50mph in fourth, while the 320d clocked 3.5 seconds and the V60 4.0 seconds. The difference is marginal, though, and this trio is fairly evenly matched for performance; you can barely tell a difference in outright speed on the road.

The C-Class’ nine-speed gearbox is smooth and slicker than the Volvo’s transmission, just. But neither can keep up with the BMW ’s swift shifts. The engine isn’t as responsive either, and it’s more rattly than the 320d’s motor, although not overly so, while the Volvo’s engine is one step coarser again.

Practicality

THERE’S lots of rear-seat legroom in the C-Class Estate, maybe even a little more than the BMW, so adults will be comfy in the back. But headroom is a little more limited.

With 460 litres of boot space with the seats up, the C-Class isn’t as spacious when it comes to luggage room. This is key for an estate car and dents the Mercedes’ appeal slightly, although folding the rear bench reveals 1,480 litres. That’s not quite as much as the BMW ’s 1,510 litres, but it’s more capacity than the V60 offers, at 1,441 litres.

As on both rivals here, a powered tailgate is fitted as standard on the C-Class Estate, which helps boost the usability of this model.

Ownership

A DISAPPOINTING 26th-place finish out of 30 brands in our Driver Power

2019 customer satisfaction survey needs attention from Mercedes, while BMW was only one place better. Volvo performed best, in 13th, and with its dealers in ninth. BMW ’s garages came 25th, while Mercedes’ franchises finished 15th last year.

Autonomous braking and a reversing camera are standard, but the £1,695 Driving Assistance Pack isn’t available on this trim. That’s a shame because it adds blind-spot and lane-change assist, cross-traffic alert, rear collision assist and evasive steering assist.

Running costs

THE C 220 d Estate managed 42.3mpg on test, which works out at £1,686 a year in fuel. The 320d returned 40.8mpg, which is £1,748 a year in fuel, while the V60 D4 recorded 39.8mpg, which works out at £1,791 at the pumps.

Servicing on the Mercedes is more expensive than the BMW, at £32 per month over three years (£1,152), compared with £25 per month for the BMW (£900 over three years). Three services on the Volvo cost £1,050.