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our test drives or view them all

Mercedes C-Class Estate 2.2 CDI manual Sport

MANUAL gearboxes in Mercedes cars are generally a disappointment. They are better than they were, but the six-speed manual fitted to my C220 CDI turbodiesel Sport Estate test car was a let down compared to the auto box I’d expected.

Mercedes has never been a manual gearbox star and this one was true to form with a long ungainly throw and notchy gate.

Pity, because it blunted my time with the latest C-Class cargo carrier – an excellent reinvention of the compact estate with a powerful and willing 2.2 diesel heart that pumps out a spirited 168bhp.

But perhaps Mercedes had ulterior motives. Just weeks before the car arrived I’d heard from an Elgin C-Class diesel owner that his experience with his automatic 2.2 CDI had been poor. Slow changes and indifferent dynamics. It was so bad he changed the car for an E-Class automatic and is now delighted with the replacement.

But the fault may lie with Mercedes’ insistence in fitting the 2.2 CDI C-Class with the £1125 optional five-speed automatic – an older design that can’t hold a candle to its fine new seven-speed automatic. For now, if you want the C220 CDI with automatic you have no choice. It’s a five-speed auto, or manual – unless you step up to the class-leading 224bhp three-litre V6 C320 CDI Estate where prices start at £33,275 and a seven-speed auto comes as standard.

The Sport C220 CDI is not the cheapest diesel estate – a C200 CDI with the same capacity but lower 134bhp output starts the range in good value SE guise at £25,710 or £28,605 in Sport trim.

These lower powered 2.2 litre C200 diesels are fair enough, but pulling power falls from the 220’s excellent 295lb.ft to 199lb.ft and fuel consumption is only marginally better at 47.1mpg compared to my test car’s 46.3mpg. That makes the more powerful C220 CDI Estate a more sensible buy and the well-appointed C220 SE Estate almost a bargain at £26,745 with manual transmission and £27,870 with five-speed auto.

But no matter what power you choose – big or small diesel or petrol – the estate function remains the same – first class.

The C-Class is already a great saloon and makes the stride to cargo ship with ease. The load area is well-shaped and lined with a low and solid floor that will swallow 485 litres of luggage with all five seats in place and 1500 litres with them stowed. That makes it a good competitor for the new Audi A4 Avant that manages 490 litres and 1430 litres respectively although both are left in the shade by the cheaper but less well-built new Ford Mondeo Estate that tops them both with 542 litres and 1733 litres respectively.

But the C220 CDI does its job brilliantly. It drives well, despite some distracting tyre noise, and handles sharply making it good for Highland roads. It’s quick too. The 168bhp delivers brisk overtaking power so passing opportunities on the A9 on a drive north to Wick could be tackled safely, even with some cargo and three adults on board.

Some years ago I owned a new old model C220 CDI automatic saloon. It was a dog of a car – inferior trim quality and a low-powered diesel heart that took a chilling 12 miles to warm up and produce warmth for the heater. The auto transmission was a slow and hesitant changer too. But that was in Mercedes-Benz darkest days when its previous ownership of Chrysler was lowering standards all round.

I’m delighted to say the new 168bhp C220 CDI with its Lanchester Analyser balancer shaft-equipped engine is smooth in the cruise and delivers piping hot heater output in under four miles. What a difference.

The Estate’s image is good – but you pay dearly for that badge. And the Sport’s large grille-centre star does the estate no favours – it’s too big and makes the nose look out of proportion to the rest of the car. You have no choice here and have to opt for the SE or Elegance trim to get a classier traditional slatted grille and bonnet-top three-pointed star.

Inside, the dash is rather uninspiring and the materials, though excellent quality, have a hard and unyielding feel. The Sport features aluminium matt silver trim that gives the interior a cold look, but construction is excellent and the instrumentation and controls work with a precision that makes the C-Class a delight to drive over long distances.

Seating is firm, but very supportive. That’s one constant I’ve seen with all Mercedes cars – seat comfort on long trips. While quality has had its ups and downs the marque’s seat designers have remained on top.

The Sport ride quality was marred by its firm ride and tyre noise, but it was never intrusive or excessive. The SE or Elegance are quieter and softer.

It’s a rewarding estate to drive and, thanks to an excellent turning circle, this rear-wheel-drive carry-all is easy to park.

It’s a strong car, tough and well assembled. Its load area is workmanlike and with people and cargo on board it will lug over half-a-tonne more than its near 1.8-tonne kerb weight. Not only that but the C220 CDI Estate can tow up to 1.9 tonnes – almost as much as a Land Rover Freelander 2.

Equipment levels are generous on modern Mercedes-Benz cars – just as well at the price. My test car came with impressive safety cover that includes side, window and driver’s knee airbags. You also get adaptive ABS braking with drying and priming function, Brake Assist and outstanding electronic stability programming. This car is so stable you’d have to be very careless or very unlucky to come unstuck.

But despite a packed standard equipment list that includes an AMG body kit on the Sport, there were inevitable options fitted that added just over £3000 to the cost.

These included "scratch-resistant" metallic paint at £620, a questionable bi-xenon light package including headlamp wash and cornering light function at £725 and Mercedes’ excellent Advanced Agility Package for £490 that consists of a "sport" button that sharpens steering response and continuously varies damping. It transforms the estate into a vehicle that thinks it’s a sports car. Brilliant!

The test car also had front and rear parking assist at £605, side airbags in the back for £320 and expensive £280 pre-wiring telephone package.

As premium estates go the C-Class cargo carrier is a star that deserves to sit at the top of the class. It may have a prestige badge but the 220 CDI Estate is no prima donna – it’s a worker.

Rating: 8/10

FINAL THOUGHT:

Compared to the previous C-Class Estate the new car is streets ahead on fit and finish. The new 170bhp version of the familiar 2.2 CDI is a treat too – strong, smooth and reasonably frugal on a long run. But I had expected a five-speed automatic and not the six-speed manual that arrived for test and feel the automatic choice is still the best even though Mercedes is not offering the excellent new seven-speed auto in the C-Class 2.2 CDI Estate for the moment. As a cargo carrier the mid-sized Mercedes is an able, quality workhorse that handles as well as its saloon sister. I’m not a fan of the Sport trim on the test car – best value is at SE level with a price of £26,745.

CAR FACTS – Mercedes C-Class Estate 2.2 CDI manual Sport

• Price: £29,640 (£32,680 as tested)
• Capacity: 2148cc
• Power: 168bhp
• 0-62mph: 8.5 seconds
  
• Maximum speed: 139mph
  
• Economy: Combined 46.3mpg; Urban 34.9mpg
  
• CO2 emissions: 161g/km
  
• ESP: Standard
• Insurance: Group 14E