Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: No data available
Good to drive, plenty of luggage space, high levels of crash safety.
Patchy cabin quality, staid looks, pricey.
Best small premium estate on the market.
The 1.8-litre petrol is on the C180, which is also in the supercharged C200K, develops a very reasonable 154bhp, but that's just half the story. The crucial figure to consider is the peak torque of 170Ib-ft that's developed at a low 2,800rpm. On the road, that means the least powerful C-class doesn't have to be worked as hard as you might think. Performance is reasonable too: the 180 sprints to 60mph in 9.8 seconds.
Enthusiasts will probably go for the £2,989 Sports pack and for good reason. It looks more athletic and feels it. The suspension has been lowered by 15mm and it gets firmer shock absorbers and thicker anti-roll bars to reduce body lean in corners. As well as the lowered suspension the Sport adds attractive AMG-branded 17-inch alloy wheels - an inch larger than the standard rims.
Driving both Sport and an SE back-to-back highlighted the improvements to the C-Class's handling. The Sport may have a fractionally firmer ride, but it handles so much better. Even though it's heaver we think the estate handles just as well as the saloon.
It means the Sport gives you plenty of confidence on cornering and allows you to lean on the front tyres far harder than you would on the standard 16-inch rims. That said, even the Sport-less SE has fine handling, if a little less grip. It too offers balanced handling that responds a little keener to the throttle through a bend. The C180K is available either with a six-speed manual or a conventional five-speed automatic.
