ARRIVING in August this year, the eagerly awaited fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class range did not disappoint.

With only a slight increase to the price of the outgoing version, the W205 brought agreeable looks, more equipment, improvements to safety, comfort and dynamics, and a choice of four different engine options.

Now though, the range has been expanded to include a load-lugging Estate equivalent of all four initial sedans and a fifth diesel-electric hybrid sedan, offering ultra-frugal fuel consumption and the fastest acceleration of the lot.

Each model adds a price premium to the corresponding sedan equivalent, but with clear advantages over the sedan, Mercedes says the new arrivals will continue the blossoming success of the C-Class in Australia.

We loaded up the C300 Hybrid and Estate range for a trip around Victoria's Yarra Valley to see if the latest additions to Mercedes' strong-selling mid-sizer share the attributes that got it where it is today.

Click here for the full review...