Before Mercedes-Benz even launched the new C-Class Estate, they had take it on numerous digital shopping trips.

Thanks to the wonders of computer simulation, loading hundreds of different items has been studied and honed to perfection.

So when it came to real-life luggage-lugging, nothing was left to chance. The result is a highly desirable and immensely practical estate that's arguably the classiest on the market.

New C-Class Estate is 55mm longer and 42mm wider than its predecessor, with a stretched wheelbase, allowing for a practical 485 litres behind the seats to a cavernous 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded down an increase of as much as 146 litres on the outgoing model.

And there are some thoughtful touches as well – two bag hooks and four rings for anchoring down loads are included in the load compartment as standard, as are a retaining net cover and collapsible shopping crate.

What a pity, then, that Merc seem to have missed a trick by providing only an almost-level load floor – the rears seat backs fold down once but don't fully tumble.

Trying to imagine the space? Think of swallowing up four golf bags and four trolleys, or two and a half washing machines, which Merc say is between 50 and 100 litres more than comparable premium estate models.

Of course, as a Mercedes owner, you don't want to have to go to the trouble of opening and closing the tailgate by hand, do you? That's why an automated powered tailgate is provided as standard, which opens and closes the boot at the push of a button while the proud owner stands back and admires, secretly hoping the neighbours are, too.

As someone who has struggled to brush bits off loop-pile rear loadfloors over the years, I can also report that the estate's high-grade, flat, smooth carpet which can be immediately swept clean. Magic!
And the bumper-level floor also allows goods to be slid on and off easily.

Apart from the versatility and well designed boot area, the estate shares all the winning attributes of other C-Class models that makes it such a great line-up of cars.

While not being the most exciting to drive, they are undoubtedly the most relaxing, classy and well built of their genre. And there is now such confidence in the product that residual values make it a sound investment, returning well over 40 per cent of its new price over three years.

I have every admiration for the ambience and quality of the Mercedes interiors. They're quietly classy, with top-notch furnishings and fittings, everything falls to hands easily and they look like they will stand the test of time.

But I still find the control system and menus for info and entertainment fiddly and hard to operate on the move.

Deep, comfortable and supportive seats you can settle into, rather than on to, with infinite electric adjustment all ways for the perfect driving position.

The C200 CDI model I tested does need a heavy foot to bring out the best early on but mid-range and top-end delivery is excellent.

The fast-action, six-speed gearbox is a delight to handle and the estate shares the good handling characteristics of the saloon – the driver feels every inch of a manoeuvre, thanks to involving power steering, bends are tackled with confidence and stability and everyday driving is easy and relaxed, with a firm but comfortable ride.

With a combined fuel consumption of 47.1mpg there's nothing to upset the green lobby and the new estate moves majestically aboard the C-Class fleet with seamless elegance.

At a glance:

• Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate prices from £24,600-£52,675.


• New estate boasts luggage capacity of up to 1500 litres, giving it one of the largest load compartments in the segment.


• Host of handy features included as standard, including automatic powered tailgate which opens and closes at the touch of a button.


• C200 CDI capable of 47.1mpg (previously 41.4mpg) enabling a single tank of fuel to last for more than 600 miles on the combined cycle.


• Available as SE, Elegance and Sport.


• Overall length increased by 55mm and width by 42mm.


• Estate can swallow up four golf bags and four trolleys.


• CO2 g/km: 157.