Mercedes-Benz C250 Estate 2015 review

From the very first time I drove the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class I knew it would be the CarsGuide Car of the Year. Now I'm into the Estate, the family wagon, and I'm thinking yet more good things.

This is the C-Class with more, from flexibility to fun and family, and it's a good job all around. The basics are the same as the sedan and as impressive, from the quietness and comfort to the highway cruising ability.

The wagon's tail is not as big as some but it's good enough to get the job done if you're a two-plus-two family or have weekend needs that demand more than a just a sedan.

It's not too heavy, not too thirsty, not too noisy and not too anti-social.

The best thing about the Estate — other upscale brands also use terms such as Touring and Shooting Brake for their wagons — is that it's not an SUV. It's not too heavy, not too thirsty, not too noisy and not too anti-social.

SUVs have almost killed wagons in Australia because so many people want a seven-seater that's a replacement in the class where Ford and Holden ruled with their wagons from the 1950s.

The Koreans make great value SUVs but in general they take up a lot of space, they are the automotive equivalent of the McMansion and they are more than most people need.

Which brings me back to the C Estate. It's been totally renewed under the C-Class program and there are four models, with petrol and diesel choices in both the C200 and C250. A hot rod C63 wagon is coming in August and, although details are not confirmed, expect a twin-turbo V6 C450 and a C350 plug-in hybrid in 2016.

The starting price is $63,400, which is a fair increase over the equivalent sedan at $60,900, and the C250 opens at $71,400. Of course, you can spend more by adding options and I like the idea of the AMG pack that improves a number of things including the looks, cornering grip and cabin comfort.

The C250, though, has everything I need. The power-adjustable seats are supportive, there's an impressive suite of safety gear, the rear seat split-folds and there's a cover for the luggage area.

Benz has chosen to fit run-flat tyres, which are not my favourite but they mean less compromising on a spare.

It's easy to get a surfboard or a bicycle in the back, or carry five (not too large) people on trips.

The carrying capacity may not be huge but its flexibility is a winner. It's easy to get a surfboard or a bicycle in the back, or carry five (not too large) people on trips.

About 10 per cent of C-Class buyers here go for the wagon. That's as many as 100 a month, which makes the hauler a fairly popular choice.

Things are likely to change when the GLC arrives next year as its SUV stablemate, although the heavier hauler could actually take more customers from the larger GLE (remember the names are being changed to mirror the sedans) than the wagon.

For me, that's a good thing and more like the experience in Europe. Wagons of all types still sell massively there, with BMW reporting as many as 70 per cent of its 3 Series deliveries in Italy are wagons.

Out on the road, the C250 is marvellous. It is compact enough to suit Australia's narrow country roads, is comfortably compliant in the suspension and the drivetrain — combining 155kW petrol engine and seven-speed auto — is both punchy and economical.

If I was buying I'd probably go for the C200, because it's all you need, but the C250 adds even more luxury.

If you really want to get going and you have the cash to splash, the C63 would be a no-brainer. Keep in mind its limited range — it needs a bigger fuel tank to keep its big-bore V8 going.

As I'm finishing my time with the C250 I'm struggling to find any shortcomings. The headlights are good, the audio is good and none of my passengers are complaining.

But wait. The radio, which combines DAB with FM, is confusing to use and tune. The sound is great but a longish trip means I'm stumped trying to find something good to listen to.