Search

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Estate Sport road test report

250 CDI BlueEfficiency Estate Sport

Carmakers are falling over themselves in an attempt to be ‘greener’ at the moment, so the Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI BlueEfficiency’s captures the zeitgeist perfectly. Our test car came in estate form, which we think is better-looking than the saloon, because the roofline stays at pretty much the same height until it meets the tailgate at the rear, rather than rising and falling rather abruptly, as it does on the saloon. It also came in Sport trim, so it had that the big three-pointed star in the grille, which we prefer to the more conservative bonnet-mounted badge of the Elegance version and harks back to classic Mercs from the 80s.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Estate Sport

Print

Image number 2 of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Estate Sport Image number 3 of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Estate Sport Image number 4 of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate 250 CDI BlueEfficiency Estate Sport
CRAIG THOMAS SAYS

Performance Performance - 5 stars

This car is all about the green tweaks under the bonnet, with a new diesel engine leading the charge for efficiency. There’s all kinds of clever tech going on, with improvements to the fuel injectors and two turbochargers acting together to get the most out of the 369lb-ft of torque on offer. And it works very well: there’s lots of power on tap right through the rev range, making it feel as if the official 7.8-second 0-62mph time is pretty accurate. It accelerates strongly from a standing start and when you need some extra urge for overtaking – especially on A-roads where the window of opportunity is restricted – there’s plenty there. It’s a bit of a noisy engine, though. We’re becoming a bit spoiled by the refinement of diesels these days, with BMW and Audi in particular impressing with recent offerings. The engines from these two brands are more quiet and refined than this Merc. As soon as you turn the key, there it is, that faintly agricultural clatter, telling you immediately that you’ll be heading for the black pump at the petrol station.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 5 stars

The driving dynamics of the latest C-Class are hugely impressive, matching those of the traditional class-leader, the BMW 3 Series. There are essentially two different set-ups, though, depending on which trim level you opt for: the softer, more comfort-oriented SE and Elegance models and Sport, which does as it says on the tin. Our test car came in sport form, which means a suspension that’s 15mm lower, a sports braking system, larger 17-inch wheels plus speed-sensitive power steering that changes the degree of assistance depending on the car’s pace. On the road, it’s perfectly balanced and resists body roll very well. It’s also extremely agile, with sharp and accurate steering, so the car turns in keenly and goes where you point it. The ride, although firmer that the SE and Elegance models (which have a more traditional, cushioned Mercedes-like quality), is still perfectly compliant and comfortable. All but the worst bumps and uneven surfaces are soaked up and the car’s occupants are never unduly ruffled.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 4 stars

Mercedes had a bit of a hiccup a few years over the quality of its cars when it went through a cost-cutting phase that was reflected in the materials it used. However, that’s a period that is now well and truly over, with the current generation C-Class built to a good standard. Mercedes can’t quite match Audi and BMW in terms of attention to detail, and fit and finish don’t quite match those of its German rivals, but it’s not enough to seriously mark it down. Mercedes reliability has returned to the levels the company became renowned for over decades. In the most recent JD Power survey, the company was placed third in the league table of manufacturers and had two models in the top 10 cars (the previous-generation C-Class was 20th). It’s therefore unlikely that buyers will encounter too many problems over the life of the car.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

The C-Class, in common with most other Mercedes-Benz models, has achieved a high score in crash tests, with Euro NCAP awarding it the full five stars. Under the new testing regime (introduced in 2009), the C-Class also scores 82% for adult occupant protection, 70% for child occupant protection, 30% for pedestrian protection and 86% for Safety Assist. The last score is largely down to the huge list of safety equipment on board, both active and passive. This includes a passenger cell and body panels made from a mix of aluminium and high-strength steel alloys, seven airbags (front airbags, side airbags, full-length curtain airbags and a driver’s kneebag), seatbelt tensioners and belt force limiters, anti-whiplash head restraints, Isofix child seat anchors, flashing brake lights to alert cars that you’re stopping, ESP, a Pre-Safe system that uses sensors to prepare the car and its occupants for an imminent impact, plus an intelligent lighting system that adjusts the beam of the headlights according to the type of road you’re driving on.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The C-Class has a spacious cabin, with enough room in the rear to accommodate adults in comfort. The driving position is comfortable, with full adjustability of the seat and steering wheel. An important consideration for an estate, the C-Class has more luggage space than the BMW 3 Series Touring but a little less than the Audi A4 Avant. The rear seats fold down (although not completely flat) to create 1,500 litres of space. There are also practical touches such as hooks for bags, four anchor points to tie down loads and a shopping crate that breaks down when not in use. There’s plenty of equipment fitted as standard, especially in Sport guise, such as Bluetooth and the Linguatronic voice control system, although the Comand infotainment system (which includes sat nav, radio, CD and iPod connection) is an option.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

The C250 BlueEfficiency Sport is a premium estate, so it’s no surprise that it costs a fairly hefty £31,095. However, as the name suggests, it’s a very efficient car (53.3mpg and 145g/km of CO2) and a serious alternative to similar BMWs, which have previously been considered the leaders in producing ‘greener’ premium cars. For example, the nearest Beemer is the 325d MSport which, despite having a bigger engine, generates less power and less torque. In practice, this means it’s a negligible 0.2 seconds quicker to 62mph, but produces 10g/km more CO2 and is 5.4mpg more thirsty. BMW are currently doing lots of clever things with its EfficientDynamics package of measures, so for Mercedes to be able to match the performance of a bigger engine in all areas (apart from sound) is highly impressive. And the Merc costs two grand less, which makes it a real contender if you’re looking for a more efficient, less polluting premium estate.

Submitted: 19/05/2010 13:47:42

Estate Cars comparison road tests

Mercedes-Benz road tests

Other people need your help

Your review will help others decide which vehicle to buy. By spending just a little bit of time filling out a review you can share your experiences with other drivers, giving information only owners will talk about, no marketing spiel, just the real thing. We publish all reviews, whether you rate the vehicle high or low. We are impartial. We are independent. We are committed to 100% real reviews. Please give others the benefit of your advice: give them your review.

Your review will be checked for offensive language within the next few days and then put on RoadTestReports.co.uk and all of our partners websites.

Have your say!

Submit your own review

Lease Buy

* Required

^ Back to Top