ESTATE WITH A CAPITAL E (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The most practical full-sized Executive estate you can buy is now even better. Jonathan Crouch checks out the sixth generation Mercedes E-Class Estate

Ten Second Reviewword count: 90

The Mercedes E-Class Estate has always been a very classy way to carry rather a lot. Now it's better-looking, cleverer and more efficient than ever. This sixth generation 'W214'-series model retains a sensible side but dials up the desirability, aiming to offer a smarter, more prestigious approach to Executive sector estate motoring than close competitors. It does so with more efficient engines, cutting-edge drive technology and exquisite comfort. Plus there's even more rear seat space than before. Arch-rivals from Audi and BMW still have quite a benchmark to aim at.

Backgroundword count: 201

It used to be that if you wanted a large, plush practical estate, you bought a big Volvo. For some years now though, that role has been only fully filled by the Mercedes E-Class Estate. Rivals trade space for a bit of style, but this car continues to prioritise practicality, with 615-litres of room on offer even before you start folding seats. This 'W214'-series design is actually the sixth generation version to be badged 'E-Class' and does of course enjoy all the advantages developed for its saloon counterpart, a car offering efficient engines, astonishing technology and luxurious comfort. According to the Three-Pointed Star, the MK6 E-Class is 'the most personal Mercedes ever', able to sense what you want even before you know you want it, be that media tech, cabin climate or drive dynamics. Much of course, including certain styling elements, is borrowed from the larger S-Class. And of course it needs to be good, hitting the market shortly before new generation versions of its two arch-rivals, the BMW 5 Series Touring and the Audi A6 Avant. To take on those two, this sixth generation E-Class Estate needs to be more than just an evolutionary step forward. Is it? Let's see.

Driving Experienceword count: 291

This 'W214'-series MK6 E-Class Estate now features the AGILITY CONTROL suspension and single-chamber air suspension on the rear axle as standard. The latter features a compact design, maintains ride comfort even with a full load on board and ensures that the vehicle remains horizontal even when laden. All-round AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS+ continuously adjustable damping is available as an option. As with the E-Class saloon (but unlike new-generation versions of obvious rivals), there's no EV option (surprisingly as the brand's EQE EV can't be had as an estate). Instead, customers are offered a selection of combustion powerplants defiantly still built around two formats currently falling from industry favour, diesels and PHEVs. For the time being, diesel E-Class Estate sales are expected to continue strongly, primarily with the 194bhp 2.0-litre four cylinder E 220 d 48V mild hybrid model. The mild hybrid petrol alternative is the E 200, another 2.0-litre four cylinder variant, which has 201bhp and, like the diesel, is boosted by a 23bhp electric motor. That motor, by the way, is now built into the improved 9G-TRONIC 9-speed auto transmission that all E-Class models have to have. The same 2.0-litre engine also features in the Plug-in petrol E 300e model, which now offers 312bhp and gets a larger 25.4kWh battery capable of taking the car up to 69 miles without troubling combustion power. Expect powerful Mercedes-AMG variants as usual to top the range. We won't get the SUV-style 'All-Terrain' variant offered in Europe. Whatever mainstream E-Class Estate you decide upon, your dealer will want you to consider the pricey optional 'Technology Pack', which adds that AIRMATIC air suspension set-up and a rear axle steering system that can add 4.5-degrees of turning angle, reducing the turning circle to just 10.8m.

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