Mercedes' E-Class Estate is the ultimate back-seat driver

Specced to the hilt, Mercedes’ E-Class is probably the most intelligent saloon around and with the Driving Assistance package fitted to the E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Avantgarde Estate tested here, it felt as though I was receiving instructions and warnings at every turn.

Blind-spot alerts were delivered by warning lights in the wing-mirrors, radar-assisted cruise control kept me a set distance from the car ahead and also ticked me off for following cars too close on normal roads, and a lane assist system gave me a metaphorical slap on the wrist by way of a vibrating steering wheel each time I strayed over a white line.

A series of sensors even monitored my behaviour and were poised to issue a wakey-wakey warning if they detected I was getting drowsy.

Put simply, I felt as though the E-Class was influencing my driving style as much as I was influencing its progress down the road.

The only piece of safety that wasn’t at my disposal were Mercedes’ Infra Red night vision cameras, which give early recognition of potential hazards on the road ahead, in the dark.

Getting used to driving with all these aids could be likened to learning how to tolerate the constant advice of a know-it-all back seat driver.

Mercedes, of course, argue that their systems improve safety, along with a bonnet that pops up 50mm to create an improvised crumple zone for pedestrians in the event of a collision and a Pre-Safe system which pre-tensions seatbelts and offers breaking assistance in the event of a crash.

Prices for the E-Class Estate range from £30,160 for the E200 CGI SE to £74,400 for the E63 AMG.

A choice of four diesel engines, four petrol engines and SE Avantgarde and Sport specifications are available and, in E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY form seen here the price stands at £36,245.

Sporting fundamentally the same 2.1-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder, diesel engine as that found in the lesser E200 and E220 CDI’s, the E250 boasts 204bhp and 369lb.ft. of torque, enough for a nought to 62mph sprint of 8.1 seconds and a 149mph top speed.

Notably, it also betters BMW’s new 5-Series Touring in the green stakes with 48.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 159g/km (versus 45.6mpg and 162g/km for the 525d).

The E-Class Estate is a handsome, imposing car, but maintains and air of restrain typical of this area of the premium sector (neither Audi’s A6 Avante or BMW’s new 5-Series Touring pull up any stylistic trees).

A long, rising shoulder line, split headlights and the accentuated wheelarches add some style but the appearance is classy rather than striking.

Inside practicality and comfort has trumped style and invention, but space and ease of function is a real plus.

A centre-mounted dial or steering wheel controls allow access to on-screen menus for the Sat-Nav, stereo and telephone functions while dual-zone climate control keeps and heated leather upholstery keep the on-board temperature in check.

Broad, comfortable armchairs offer impressive comfort but lack the lateral support of those found in the E-Class Sport.

Interior space is impressive, with ample rear leg room and numerous storage options.

From cup holders and cubby holes to a class-leading 695 litre boot that extends to a whopping 1,950 litres with the rear seats folded flat, the E-Class Estate is a superb load carrier. Customers can even spec seven seats (£960).

Running optional 18-inch alloy wheels (£775) my test car lacked some of the small bump absorbtion that was apparent on the E-Class Saloon I tested late last year.

Road noise was also marginally increased, but overall the E-Class still proved very adept at ironing out the creases in Rotherham’s roads.

Although aware of the E250 CDI’s long wheelbase on the twisty b-roads—the rear arriving slightly behind a progressive front end—its laid-back demeanour translated in to impressive stability and comfort on larger roads and higher speeds.

That versatile diesel engine also pulls determinedly through a smooth-shifting auto box which is best set to ‘Sport,’ losing little of its fluidity but adding a slight layer of responsive urgency for overtakes.

The E-Class range is now such a varied animal now that it is truly remarkable to drive the complete line-up and experience the shared traits and individual foibles.

Now in its fifth generation the Estate is a versatile beast in itself, however, majoring in comfort, premium quality and, in this form, some eco-friendly stats.

As a premium people carrier, it’s a tough act to beat.