Load Shifter: Mercedes-Benz Launches New C-Class Wagon

C Class Photos

Small on the outside, big on the inside; the C-Class Wagon hauls more than ever. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Fold down the seats and you get more space than any other compact luxury wagon. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Keeps all the dynamic features we like about the C, but adds towing capacity and a self-leveling rear suspension. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

It won’t be long before the brand new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a sight on North American streets, as they’ve just landed in dealerships this past month. However, there’s more around the corner for this smaller member of the three-pointed star family, with its latest spin-off, the Estate (or wagon), having just been announced for the upcoming Frankfurt auto show.

In Europe and for much of the world, the compact premium market for station wagons is strong. Typical non-wagon brands have made entries such as Saab (9-3 SportCombi), Cadillac (BLS Wagon) and even Jaguar (X-Type Sportwagon). While these five-door family haulers are very stylish with raked roofs and angled tailgates, one of the big problems that consumers have in this segment is that they lack the cargo space of the traditional boxy shaped wagons. It’s gotten to the point that the sedan equivalents have nearly as much cargo space as their wagon counterparts, and in some cases equal space!

This is why Mercedes-Benz has chosen to adopt the same strategy for the C-Class Wagon as they did with the E-Class Wagon; it’s going to be a true cargo hauler. Compared to the outgoing C-Class Wagon, the new model’s luggage area is larger by 5.2 cubic feet. Should you shop for your vehicles in the same way you’d shop for furniture (dimensions), you’ll be happy to know that the new C-Class’ usable interior space is 111.0 inches in length, while the length from the front of the passenger’s foot well to the tailgate is 6.7 inches greater than before. With all the seats folded, the C-Class Wagon can hold up to 53.0 cubic feet worth of cargo, which is more than the 48.9 cubic feet offered by the BMW 3-Series Wagon, its closest competitor. Though things in large boxes are usually measured in inches or cubic feet, Mercedes-Benz has thoughtfully calculated that the largest cuboid that can fit in the vehicle is 29.2 cubic feet. The C-Class Wagon is also offered with EASY-PACK, their version of the power tailgate, plus a load securing tether system. Also, to ensure that everything’s always under control, the C-Class can be optioned out with a self-leveling rear suspension system.

Besides the capability to tow up to 4,000 pounds worth of trailer, the C-Class Wagon is pretty much the same as the sedan version in terms of its equipment levels and feature content. Like the sedan, it comes with Agility Control sports steering and shifter for the manual transmission.

While we’re pretty sure that Mercedes-Benz will choose to offer the C-Class Wagon in North America, we’re not 100-percent sure. Mercedes has sold the small wagon on and off over the previous generation, choosing to relieve it of duty a few years back. If indeed it is offered, it will be most likely dubbed C300, with the 228-hp V6 engine, and 4Matic all-wheel drive.