Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Mercedes C-Class Estate review

The C-Class Estate is a great, albeit expensive option in the family estate genre with a strong selection of powertrains

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£46,870 £61,200
Pros
  • Good engine line up
  • Rides well on small wheels
  • Interior still impresses
Cons
  • Not the biggest boot
  • Rivals drive better
  • Expensive trim levels
Find your Mercedes C-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Is the Mercedes C-Class Estate a good car?

There’s a premium appeal to the Mercedes C-Class Estate that makes it a worthy option, especially in a rapidly dwindling segment. The interior feels like a special place to be with quality materials and a real eye-catching design that helps it become a distinct proposition from its usual German rivals. The level of on-board technology is strong, as you’d expect of a Mercedes, but not every aspect of it has been implemented smoothly. The driving experience matches the saloon, which is to say the estate rides beautifully and has just enough dynamism to entertain. Boot space is a bit of a let-down however - the mild-hybrids just about manage to be competitive, but the PHEV’s significant loss in capacity makes it a tough sell. 

Key specs
Fuel typePetrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Body styleEstate
Powertrain2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Safety5 stars
WarrantyThree-year, unlimited mileage

How much does the Mercedes C-Class Estate cost?

The Mercedes C-Class saloon starts from around £45,000 with the Estate starting at around £1,500 extra. For the Estate’s extra practicality, you’ll pay roughly around that premium right the way through the trim level range too, which mirrors the choice offered with the saloon. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The petrol C 200 AMG Line is the cheapest C-Class Estate you can buy with the diesel C 220 d AMG Line Estate costing £1,500 more. ‘AMG Line Premium’ trim levels come next and add around £3,500 to the list price of the C 200 and C 220 d, followed by the better-equipped AMG Line Premium Plus from £54,000 and £55,000 for the entry petrol and diesel engines. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

More powerful powertrains come in the form of the C 300 petrol, C 300 e plug-in hybrid and C 300 d diesel. The C 300 starts at just under £54,000 in AMG Line Premium trim and the C 300 e plug-in hybrid actually undercuts it at just over £52,000 in Urban Edition guise. The c 300 d starts at a smidge over £55,000 in AMG Line Premium trim. 

Above this sits the Mercedes-AMG models. This isn’t just reserved for the C-Class saloon with the Estate being offered in 43 and full-fat 63 guises starting from around £70,000 and £100,000, respectively. 

Engines, performance & drive

The Mercedes C-Class Estate isn’t the most engaging, but it’s a comfortable car to rack up miles in

The C-Class gained a reputation in the compact executive segment for a refined driving experience that never really troubled BMW’s 3 Series for dynamism honours. The smooth ride continues with the latest C-Class and, indeed, the Estate. The MRA platform that underpins the C-Class is not only heavily revised from the previous generation it’s also used for the S-Class too (albeit in a longer wheelbase). So long as you choose the smaller wheels, the C-Class Estate wafts along on a cruise in a way not too dissimilar to an S-Class, tackling undulations in the road exceptionally well - though a flip-side of this is the C-Class Estate feels like a heavy vehicle on the move. Larger wheels can occasionally upset the ride with the odd thud. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The C 200 petrol has a kerbweight of 1,765kg and the C 300 e plug-in hybrid 2,120kg, but in truth, every C-Class Estate feels a little bit on the portly side. This is largely down to the suspension, which Mercedes has clearly (and refreshingly) tuned to soak up bumps and ruts in the road over cornering stability. 

As was the case on the old C-Class Estate, the steering lacks responsiveness, especially in the dead-ahead position, where it can sometimes feel a little disconnected. There’s an overall good weight to it, giving you just enough confidence to lean into the steering, but it’s not particularly keen to respond to inputs. What the C-Class can do is grip, however, and it’s remarkably settled when you do decide to push on. 

Catering for a wide variety of tastes and needs, the C-Class Estate line up features quite a few powertrains. All units are mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and all use 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance with the C 200 kicking off with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with 201bhp, the more powerful 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder in the C 300 puts out 254bhp. As for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels, the engine in the C 220 d provides 197bhp and the C 300 d 261bhp. The plug-in hybrid has even more power thanks to a 128bhp electric motor supplementing a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, with a total of 309bhp. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The diesels are much improved over the old 2.1-litre you got in the previous C-Class - especially in terms of refinement. The C 220 d’s 440Nm of torque ensures you’ve got ample grunt, and it’s delivered low in the rev range, making the C 300 d seem a little unnecessary. 

As for the petrol C-Class models, those continue to appeal thanks to their smooth integration of mild-hybrid power to make up for the lack of torque compared to the diesels and their relatively smooth power delivery. Of the non-AMG models, you’ll typically find the gearbox to be a limiting factor in terms of engagement - it’s very much set up to provide seamless shifting, even in the ‘Sport’ driving mode. 

While previous AMG-fettled C-Class generations have used V6s and V8s, the four-cylinders continue in the C 43 and C 63 estates - making sure Mercedes has a rival to the BMW M3 Touring and Audi RS 4 Avant. The C 43’s turbocharged four-pot is derived from the A 45 S hot hatch and provides a meaty 402bhp with the C 63 producing a supercar-baiting 671bhp from its plug-in hybrid powertrain with both coming with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. We’ve not driven the C 63 in estate form yet, though given it already weighs two tonnes, we expect the extra kerbweight of the estate won’t dilute the experience much. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The C 63 E Performance is the quickest C-Class Estate, with a 3.4-second zero to 62mph time. The C 220 d is the slowest, taking 7.6 seconds to reach 62mph, with the more powerful C 300 d taking 5.8 seconds. The plug-in hybrid C 300 e takes 6.2 seconds with the lighter C 300 shaving off 0.2 seconds despite having 55mph less.

Model Power0-62mphTop speed
Mercedes C 200 d Estate 197bhp7.6 seconds149mph
Mercedes-AMG C 63 E Performance Estate671bhp3.4 seconds155mph

MPG, emissions & running costs

Most of the powertrains are relatively frugal, though the plug-in hybrid’s headline figures require a lot of EV running

With such a variety of powertrains, there’s a wide spectrum to the C-Class Estate’s emissions and fuel efficiency numbers. There’s obviously a slight price you’ll pay in efficiency over the sleeker, lighter saloon though. 

The entry-level C 200’s 43.5mpg claimed figure and its CO2 emissions of 147g/km are better than you’d get from a BMW 320i Touring or the latest Audi A5 Avant. The more powerful C 300 is only a little thirstier at 41mpg while emitting 157g/km. The diesels see the C 220 d claiming 60.2mpg with an emissions figure of 123g/km and the C 300 d doing 53.3mpg on a combined cycle with 139g/km - pretty impressive numbers. 

If you’re looking for the most frugal C-Class Estate then the plug-in hybrid will be the one for you. It is just one PHEV option too, because unlike the E-Class Estate there’s no diesel plug-in hybrid, just a petrol one. The C 300 e Estate has a rather ridiculous 470.9mpg claim from Mercedes - which obviously requires you to use the 19kWh battery and its decent 65-mile electric-only range, though we found this to drop to 40 miles in cold conditions. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The C 63 E Performance is a plug-hybrid, so despite being the most powerful by some margin, there are some eco-credits with the hot AMG model. 38.7mpg isn’t bad considering the performance available from the C 63 and neither is its 167g/km emissions figure. The C 43 is the least frugal with a four-cylinder mild-hybrid that manages 30.1mpg and a rather high 213g/km.

Model MPGCO2Insurance group
Mercedes C 300 e Estate470.9mpg167g/km43
Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate301.mpg231g/km42
Mercedes C 300 d Estate 53.3mpg139g/km41

Design, interior & technology

It might not be the newest in the segment anymore, but the C-Class interior still feels like a special place

The C-Class Estate mirrors that of the saloon, so while it is not even close to the flagship Mercedes models - it still looks and feels almost as premium. Even though Mercedes went to the trouble of removing a lot of the C-Class’s physical buttons and switches inside, it’s not quite a minimalist look, and depending on what colours or materials you choose, it might look a little fussy to some. Dig deep, and you’ll find the build quality is suitable for the badge on the steering wheel with plush materials through - the only bit of movement or creaking you might find is low-down on the centre console, but you’re unlikely to find anything to grumble about on a daily basis. 

There’s a good selection of kit in the entry-level AMG Line with the twin-screen layout standard across the line-up. Mercedes’ Artico faux leather upholstery is lovely on the sports seats, with ambient lighting and a metal weave trim on the centre console all helping to deliver a luxurious cabin. The mix of silver and black might feel a bit solemn so again, it’s worth exploring the no-cost option of white and black or brown and black. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The high-spec AMG Line Premium Plus receives 19-inch alloy wheels instead of the 18-inch rims you get on lesser variants - but the AMG Line body kit is a staple throughout. Inside you’ll find the same level of quality, but with some quality additions like the open-pore wooden dash. 

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

We’re fans of the Mercedes MBUX infotainment system because it manages to look like a premium set up while maintaining a degree of simplicity and ergonomic straightforwardness to it. The 11.9-inch portrait screen on the dash features a wonderfully clear resolution and while the initial menu layout might look intimidating and complex at first glance, you’ll soon get to grips with it. It’s also quick to respond to inputs, and loading times are kept to a minimum even when scrolling through the many sub-menus. 

The 12.3-inch driver’s display is more of the same - there’s a customisable setting with modes like ‘Classic’ or ‘Sport’ depending on what information you want to prioritise. The integrated Mercedes sat-nav is excellent, with a clear display and sensibly laid-out functionality.  

Boot space, comfort & practicality

The C-Class Estate’s cabin space is good and so is the boot - though plug-in hybrids pay the price

Like the saloon, the Mercedes C-Class Estate’s practicality isn’t class-leading, but it’s still competitive. The cabin space is easily big enough for adults to get comfortable up front or in the rear, with a generally decent amount of all-round visibility no matter where you sit. The driving position is spot on with plenty of adjustability in the electrically-operated seat to get comfortable. There’s a sliding lid for the centre console’s phone storage and cupholders, and on the armrest, there’s enough space to fit a small bag - we like the split-opening function too. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The boot of the C-Class Estate stands at 490 litres with the rear seats up - 10 litres down on the 3 Series Touring but up from the Audi A5 Avant’s 476 litres. Unfortunately, the plug-in hybrid version fits a battery behind the rear seats which encroaches on the boot space and shrinks it to 360 litres - it’s a high boot floor as a result but still a usable size for most families and indeed dogs. High-spec versions of the Skoda Octavia Estate might be worth a look if boot space is particularly important, given the Czech car’s 640-litre capacity. 

Dimensions
Length4,751mm
Width2,033mm
Height1,455mm
Number of seatsFive
Boot space 490 litres

Safety & reliability

The C-Class Estate’s safety kit is what you’d expect from a premium executive, as is its seemingly solid build quality

The C-Class, in both saloon and estate forms, received a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP when tested in 2022. There’s a range of standard safety technology like blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance and autonomous braking, which resulted in a good score in the safety assist category. Adult and child occupant crash safety scores were even better, so you should rest easy in the knowledge that the C-Class Estate will stand up well to impacts. 

The Mercedes brand came in a disappointing 25th place in our 2024 Driver Power best brands survey. The C-Class didn’t feature in the latest best cars to own survey, with the E-Class the highest-ranking Mercedes model, in 27th place. Mercedes as a whole came a worrying 27th for reliability too. 

Key standard safety featuresEuro NCAP safety ratings
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Lane keep assist
  • Autonomous braking
  • 5-stars (Euro NCAP, 2022)
  • Adult occupant protection - 93%
  • Child occupant protection - 89%
  • Vulnerable road user protection - 80%
  • Safety assist - 82%

Mercedes C-Class Estate alternatives 

Buyers might be preferring mid-sized SUVs to family-friendly estates these days, but there’s still plenty of competition to the Mercedes C-Class Estate. There is, of course, the BMW 3 Series Touring, which not only provides a more compelling drive, but now comes in BMW M3 Touring guise for those wishing for a truly exciting experience. Then there’s the Audi A5 Avant (which replaces the previous generation Audi A4 Avant), which still looks just as appealing as ever. There are also high-spec versions of the Volkswagen Passat - which you can only get as an estate and even electric cars are starting to get into the estate genre, with the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer providing a genuine zero-emissions alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Mercedes C-Class Estate starts from £46,870. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    C200 AMG Line 5dr 9G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £46,870
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    C300e Urban Edition 5dr 9G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £52,700
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    C300d AMG Line Premium [Pan Roof] 4dr 9G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £56,210
Select car
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

New & used car deals

Mercedes C Class

Mercedes C Class

RRP £32,150Used from £13,970
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £15,940Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £9,000
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,743 off RRP*Used from £25,098
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,771 off RRP*Used from £13,571
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Dacia Jogger review
Dacia Jogger - front tracking

Dacia Jogger review

In-depth reviews
23 Jan 2025
Used Suzuki Swace (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer’s guide: a cheap and dependable estate car
Used Suzuki Swace - front

Used Suzuki Swace (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer’s guide: a cheap and dependable estate car

Used car tests
6 Nov 2024

More on C-Class Estate

Best estate cars to buy 2025
Best estate cars - header image

Best estate cars to buy 2025

A good estate car delivers practicality, space and low running costs - here are the 10 best estates on sale in the UK today
Best cars & vans
4 Feb 2025
Mercedes C 300 d Estate 2022 review
Mercedes C-Class Estate - front

Mercedes C 300 d Estate 2022 review

We hit the road in the Mercedes C 300 d Estate to see if it's the pick of the range
Road tests
24 Oct 2022
Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate 2022 review
Mercedes-AMG C 43 - front

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate 2022 review

Does the downsized Mercedes-AMG C 43 sports estate deserve to wear the AMG badge?
Road tests
28 Jun 2022
New 2021 Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain off-road estate unveiled
Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain - front

New 2021 Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain off-road estate unveiled

The Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain has four-wheel drive and a raised ride-height to allow some limited off-roading – but it won’t be coming to the UK
News
17 Aug 2021
New Mercedes C 300 de 2021 review

New Mercedes C 300 de 2021 review

The diesel-electric Mercedes C 300 de compact exec boasts strong performance and economy
Road tests
5 Jan 2021
New 2021 Mercedes C-Class Estate spotted ahead of official arrival
New 2021 Mercedes C-Class Estate spotted ahead of official arrival

New 2021 Mercedes C-Class Estate spotted ahead of official arrival

The next-generation Mercedes C-Class Estate will go on sale next year, with fresh tech, new engines and an overhauled cabin
News
22 Jul 2020
BMW 3 Series Touring vs Mercedes C-Class Estate vs Volvo V60
Estate group test

BMW 3 Series Touring vs Mercedes C-Class Estate vs Volvo V60

SUVs are encroaching on their territory, so it's crunch time for BMW 3 Series Touring, Mercedes C-Class Estate and Volvo V60
Car group tests
1 Feb 2020
Mercedes C-Class Estate (2014-2022) review
Mercedes C-Class Estate - front action

Mercedes C-Class Estate (2014-2022) review

The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a practical and comfortable family car
In-depth reviews
17 Jan 2019
New Mercedes C-Class Estate facelift 2018 review
Mercedes C-Class Estate - front

New Mercedes C-Class Estate facelift 2018 review

Has a recent update lifted the Mercedes C-Class Estate above the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring?
Road tests
29 Jun 2018
New Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate 2016 review
Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate 2016 - front tracking

New Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate 2016 review

Biturbo V6 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate promises blend of pace and efficiency, but does it deliver?
Road tests
12 Aug 2016
Mercedes C 450 AMG Sport 2015 review

Mercedes C 450 AMG Sport 2015 review

Thrilling Mercedes C 450 AMG Sport Estate gives a taste of full-fat AMG model
Road tests
28 Feb 2015
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mercedes C-Class Estate vs BMW 3 Series and Volvo V60

Mercedes C-Class Estate vs BMW 3 Series and Volvo V60

We see if new Mercedes C-Class Estate has space and quality feel to beat BMW 3 Series Touring and Volvo V60
Car group tests
20 Nov 2014
Mercedes C220 BlueTEC Estate diesel review

Mercedes C220 BlueTEC Estate diesel review

Can the super-efficient Mercedes C220 BlueTEC Estate raise a smile on the road as well as at the pumps?
Road tests
22 Aug 2014
Mercedes C-Class hybrid Estate review

Mercedes C-Class hybrid Estate review

Refined Mercedes C-Class hybrid Estate is good to drive and will keep tax bills down
Road tests
26 Jul 2014
New Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 review
Mercedes C250 BlueTEC Estate AMG Line front

New Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 review

New Mercedes C-Class Estate gets more space, a better interior and lower emissions
Road tests
18 Jul 2014
Hot Mercedes C450 Estate 4Matic spied undisguised

Hot Mercedes C450 Estate 4Matic spied undisguised

Mercedes is readying a hot sub-C63 C-Class model, with AMG-spec looks and a power boost to fight the Audi S4 Avant
News
28 May 2014
Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 revealed

Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 revealed

Latest Mercedes C-Class Estate more luxurious and practical than ever, and wide engine range includes two hybrids
News
21 May 2014
New Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 spied

New Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 spied

New Mercedes C-Class Estate 2014 spotted in minimal camouflage, release date expected later this year
News
24 Apr 2014
8. Mercedes C-Class Estate
Mercedes C-Class estate

8. Mercedes C-Class Estate

Car group tests
21 Jun 2013
Mercedes C-Class Estate (2008-2014)
Mercedes C-Class Estate front tracking

Mercedes C-Class Estate (2008-2014)

The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a practical, desirable and refined family holdall
In-depth reviews
5 May 2012
Mercedes C350 CDI Estate
Mercedes C350 CDI Estate front

Mercedes C350 CDI Estate

We deliver our verdict on diesel flagship estate - does the fresh-faced C-Class have what is takes to compete with German rivals?
Road tests
18 Mar 2011