CASH & CARRY

Premium BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class plug-in hybrid estates lock horns. Is one loads better than the other?

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BMW 330e vs MERCEDES C 300 e

Old rivals get improved PHEV tech to woo company-car drivers

UPMARKET estate cars have always been popular. In recent years they have become the go-to alternative to the SUV, often delivering more usable space, as well as a more sophisticated and sporty drive.

A pioneer of the breed is the BMW 3 Series Touring. It was first introduced with the E30 generation and has remained popular with buyers ever since. The 330e plug-in hybrid joined the line-up with the arrival of the current seventh-generation G20 model; this version is designed to be attractive to company-car users, thanks to its mix of added practicality and low emissions that don't demand EV-style compromises in range.

The 3 Series Touring's arch-rival in the sector is the Mercedes C-Class Estate. It's also available as a plug-in hybrid, called the C 300 e, and just like the BMW, the evolution of its PHEV powertrain has boosted its efficiency and given it a longer all-electric range.

Thanks to changes in company-car taxation, these petrol models are edging closer to EVs in terms of Benefit-in-Kind costs, but do they also make sense as practical family holdalls? There's only one way to find out, as we pitch these executive load luggers head to head.

HEAD TO HEAD

ON THE ROAD

BMW often produces cars that are sportier to drive than rivals, while Mercedes focuses on comfort. That's exactly the case here, but the 330e manages to deliver a better balance between entertaining handling and cruising comfort that gives it an advantage. Both cars are punchy off the line thanks to their electric assistance, but the weight of the drive battery also means they're not quite as agile as their petrol counterparts.

TECH HIGHLIGHTS