Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate review

Kicking things off is the C200, which starts from £47,295, followed by the C220d for £49,325. They’re followed by the C300, starting from £55,245 and the C300d from £56,675. All are mild hybrids.

The plug-in hybrid C300e is £53,015, and the C300de starts from £55,245. It’s then quite a leap into the AMGs, with the C43 a scary, £71,720 prospect and the C63 a nightmarish £102,685. Quick, hide!

To give you some perspective there, a BMW 3 Series Touring starts from around £5k less and an Audi A5 Avant some £3k less. The Volvo V60 roughly splits those two down the middle, while the Skoda Superb Estate and VW Passat are much more affordable.

What's the kit list like?

Base trim is the Urban Edition, but it’s only offered with the plug-in hybrids. You get 18in alloys, LED adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, the big 12.3-inch driver display and 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen from the S-Class, heated front seats, wireless smartphone pairing and charging, and a rearview camera. 

Anything else, you’re looking at AMG Line – ever popular in the UK. It’s fairly similar with its 18in alloys, LED adaptive headlights, heated front seats, ambient lighting and reversing camera.

AMG Line Premium brings bigger 19in wheels (excluding the plug-in hybrids), trick ‘Digital Light’ headlights, a panoramic sunroof, augmented reality satnav, 360-degree cameras, and keyless entry/start.

On top of all that, AMG Line Premium Plus gets you 19in alloys (again excluding the PHEVs), in a slightly different style, a gloss black trim ‘night package’, head-up display, excellent Burmester surround sound stereo, cooling and massing front seats, purifying air system, and… a fragranced glovebox.

AMG Line Premium Plus EXTRA Squared is... something we just made up. Be honest, you believed it for a second didn't you?

Good one. What's the best spec?

Company car drivers will be all over the plug-in hybrids, which both claim nearly 70 miles of electric range, to benefit from low six per cent Benefit-in-Kind rates. Everyone else ought to go for the C300d 2.0-litre diesel in AMG Line trim. TG hath spoken.