2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 CDI BlueEFF Estate Avantgarde

It's the latest weapon in the warehouse impressive Mercedes' new E-class: plantation. We recently concluded that the E-class sedans have a (very narrow) edge of the new BMW 5 Series, the first time has enjoyed that status in a fair fight in more than 20 years. And now the wagon - arguably the strongest variant - began to fill the dealer.

And believe me, it will fill them to the point of exploding. This new E-class estate even longer than its predecessor, 4895mm and 2071mm in length, including the mirror. This is not designed to bite into and out of the high street parking bays, in other words.

However, the trade-off for this mass is a class-leading load capacity. With the rear seats up, luggage capacity of 695 liters, but they produce lower area 1950 liters. Oh, and there are more 112-liter trunk under the floor above (or below) it.

The price you pay for this is £ 1750 premium over the equivalent sedan - which seems fair for extra practicality.

There must be a catch to all these positive things, right? No. In almost every way - from a less awkward looking to plant more feel - plantation is selected from the class E range.

In front, there is little to indicate that you are on large estates, other than a distant view in the rearview mirror wiper. Latest E-class is neat, classy fascia present and correct, and weight control as much fun in here when they are in the salon. That means that the wheel is a little bit on the light side, especially in the straight forward, but still magnificent smooth and linear.

Examples we came up with the most obvious engine choice, Mercedes '3 .0-liter V6 turbodiesel, and at that point it's no struggling to cope with the weight just shy of 75kg sidewalk two tons. Mercedes claims a 0-62mph time 7.2sec, and it sounds right.

E-class estates come with self-leveling air suspension at the rear as standard, and well hook system with plain water in front. Travel consists of all but the worst urban hole, and the motorway to ease power is an impressive experience. Body twistier controls on the route better than you expect, too.

In accordance with tradition, the new E-class estate can have with seven seats. For £ 960 extra, you can add two leather-trimmed, rear-facing child seat, which folds into the boot floor when not needed, return the space to load it from a simple aircraft hangar.

Neat design touches, including storage at the end of the electric truck, electric trunk lid that automatically moves in and out of the way to extend the load aperture, and handles close to opening the boot that allows you to remove the rear seat without having to climb inside.

In front of the load bay, there is room for four six-footer to travel in comfort - thanks, in part, to the backs of chairs neatly carved.

Okay, so there are some small losses. The amphitheater at the back you can not path to strengthen the voice volume a bit louder than you'll find in a coupe or a saloon. And seven-speed automatic 'box can be a bit awkward at times, introducing an annoying delay when pulled away from the intersection. But this is a very small defect smooth scoresheet. E-class sedan may hold little advantage over the 5-series sedan, but at this strength, BMW will have to work miracles with the next 5-series Touring to avoid defeat.