Road Test: Mercedes-Benz C Class C220 BlueTEC SE 5dr

Go on, tell me how big the boot is

You don't beat around the bush, do you? It's 490 litres, expandable to 1,510 litres with the seats folded. Those measurements are five and 10 litres bigger than its predecessor respectively, which isn't really much of an advancement. They're also within a whisker of the BMW 3-Series estate (495/1,500 litres), so it looks to us as though Merc has focused its energies elsewhere.

Has it?

Yes. The new C-Class has an 80mm-longer wheelbase than the last gen, and most of that has gone to benefit rear-seat passengers, who get an additional 45mm of legroom, plus claimed enhancements to shoulder, head and elbow-space, too. It does feel pleasingly airy in the back and, to be fair, the boot, with its upright tailgate and low load sill, is very accessible and easy to use.

So is it more practical than the BMW?

Not by the same margin that the E-Class is more spacious and versatile than the 5-Series. The E-Class is vast and brilliantly thought through, whereas its little brother is more of a lifestyle device - think CLS junior. It's a handsome thing. In essence, although there's less suspension intrusion in the Merc, the BMW's separate opening tailgate glass is a bigger bonus.

Right, enough of all this boot talk, tell me about the engines.

You can have a petrol (a 2.0-litre turbo with 184bhp in the C200), but you won't, because this is a sensible family car, and you want economy. The C220 Bluetec diesel returns 64.2mpg and 115g/km CO2 - better than the C200 to the tune of 12mpg and 15g/km. This diesel is the car we drove and it's very smooth, unobtrusive and will return well over 50mpg, which means you're looking at an easy 700 miles between fills.

I've heard the new C-Class is a relaxed cruiser. Is that right?

Yes, but you need to get the spec right. Small wheels, comfort suspension and, ideally, plusher seats than the rather flat standard ones in the car we drove. It is
less sporting than the BMW but not remarkably so, but somehow manages to go about it's business very calmly.

Hmm, OK. Is there anything else worth mentioning?

The rear seats now split 40:20:40 not 60:40. Oh, and you'll need to spend £1,500 for the automatic gearbox.