Fresh from duties as the summer-holiday charabanc, Britain's estate cars will by now be back hard at work on the school run or commute, says Andrew English in The Daily Telegraph. Few cars fulfil such duties more perfectly than the Mercedes E-class Estate. It is "deliciously old fashioned, reassuringly grand and as commodious as Mary Poppins' handbag".
This updated model is a vast improvement over its wedgy and aggressive predecessor in terms of looks, has a "lovely" and airy cabin swathed in wood and leather, and is smooth and quiet to drive. It is an impressively luxurious and grand car if a very expensive one.
Prices kick off with the 220d SE at £37,935 £2,000 more than the saloon, says Tom Harrison in Top Gear. Not cheap then (Volvo's V90 entry-level model, which has impressed reviewers, is £34,555), "but if we had the money we so would". This Mercedes is a "mighty fine, well-engineered" car, with an impressively large boot, not to mention all the "hooks, cubbies, securing-rings and the like that Mercedes has scattered about the cabin. You could lose your youngest in one of the door bins."
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
It is a real hit, agrees AutoExpress. The car has "everything you would want from an executive load-lugger" including one of the best interiors of any car in its price range. It "won't excite keen drivers", but it's good to drive nevertheless and has loads of impressive tech on board, too.
Price (for the E 220 d SE): £37,935Engine: 2.0-litre turbodieselTop speed: 146mph0-62mph: 7.7 secsEconomy: 67.3mpg
-
Should you invest in UK equities?The FTSE 100 hit a record high this week, but UK equities remain unloved and undervalued compared to their global and US peers. Should you snap them up at a discount?
-
State pension errors: DWP urged to check for mistakes among divorced peopleFormer pensions minister Steve Webb says there are a high number of divorced women on low state pensions. Now MPs want the DWP to check if there were any errors in “potentially underpaying men and women who are divorced”.
