How do the BMW and Mercedes estate cars match up to their Volvo rival?

BMW has just released the latest version of its 5 Series estate, the Touring. This puts it head to head with the established family estates, who will defend their turf with some civilised vigour. One estate is from Germany, like the BMW, with the E-Class Estate proving a formidable Tuetonic opponent. But there is another estate, in Sweden, that has a different approach, combining Scandinavian style with a lower price. It’s time for them to put their luggage where their mouth is.

Despite their different looks and approaches, all three are powered by 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines. All have plenty of gears to choose from, a whopping nine in the Mercedes’ transmission, eight in the other two. All the transmissions are smooth, but perhaps as a function of that extra gear at least in part, the E-Class is the quickest of the three here. None of them are tyre-shredders but all of them progress steadily but the Mercedes progresses that bit quicker.

It also has the ability to turn over slower at motorway speeds given the gear spread, although even so it still can’t match the near silence of the BMW under all conditions. The BMW extends that feeling of hushed luxury if you tick the box for the adaptive dampers. They’re £895 but with them switched to Comfort you really will have a ride that lives up to the name.

As standard the E-Class can’t match up to that, but you do have the option of the air-suspension all round rather than just at the rear. It’s a £1500 option but it does improve what can be a slightly jiggly and shaky ride. The same goes for the Volvo, with a £1500 upgrade improving what as standard isn’t as good as it could be. With the adaptive dampers and air springs at the rear the Volvo handles and rides with impeccable calm. It’s a shame all three manufacturers make you pay more just so the car rides properly.

But, that niggle aside, the Volvo handles extremely well, proving a touch sharper to turn in and hold the line than the Mercedes, even if the E-Class does have better steering. Oddly, for a company that prides itself on its sporty handling, the BMW feels the least well planted of the three, with slightly vague steering, less front-end traction and a notable reaction to sidewinds.

Inside all three offer decent space, as you’d expect, although you might expect more space in the rear of the Mercedes than you actually get. It’s hardly cramped, but the others are more spacious in the rear, the Volvo by quite a margin. That Volvo looks delightful, a fresh take on the luxury cabin that seems supremely well built.

The Mercedes looks the flashest at first glance but odd bits don’t feel so smart and overall it doesn’t quite match up to the standards of the other two. The Mercedes is also the only one that needs yet more money spent - £495 – to get digital instruments.

On all three they work really well, putting more information within the driver’s eyeline, although the necessity to fumble about with the Volvo’s touchscreen even to change the air con is a distraction that isn’t welcomed. The V90’s 9in tablet-like infotainment system works clearly and has lots of features, but trying to use it to swipe and choose small icons is not what you should be doing while driving along.

The BMW’s iDrive system with a 10.3in touchscreen is definitely superior, and is easier to use by scrolling the rotary controller when on the move. It’s just a fantastically good bit of kit. Mercedes counters with a pair of 12.3in screens and a system which uses a rotary controller. It’s not quite as slick as the BMW system but it is very good – the issue is that you get an 8.4in screen as standard and these two are options at £1495 and £495.

That’s at one end of the car, but what really counts with these is what happens at the other end. Come with us while we stare closely at a trio of derrieres. There’s no shortage of room back there, but the Mercedes has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. You can fit two more seats back there, or there is a very handy and spacious underfloor cargo space. The BMW is close with the Volvo slightly behind. With the rear seats up the numbers are: BMW: 570 litres. Mercedes: 640 litres and Volvo: 560 litres.

All three can fold their rear seats virtually flat, liberating yet more acres. The numbers in this configuration are: BMW: 1700 litres. Mercedes: 1820 litres and Volvo: 1526 litres.

All three of these cars can lug a large amount of kit and, ignoring the claimed fuel consumption figures, all three can actually better 40mpg in the real world, which is impressive, as is their steady depreciation rate. Although the Volvo has the cheapest posted price, you’ll get some decent discounts with Mercedes, making it the cheapest car here whether you’re buying privately or on PCP. However, the Volvo will be the cheapest car by a margin in terms of company car costs.

The Mercedes E-Class Estate is the one with the largest carrying capacity here overall, and the cheapest, yet we’re not impressed with rear room, and the quality of the cabin when up against such strong opposition. It’s still a lovely luxury mile-eater, but it’s out-pointed here.

The V90 shows how far Volvo has come in recent years. The cabin is lovely, it has the comfiest seats of the trio and, in this R Design set-up, it’s also quite fun to drive. However, for the best balance of passenger comfort and space it has to be the new BMW 5 Series Touring. It’s really luxurious, hugely comfortable and is the best all-rounder while still accommodating a vast amount of luggage.

Specifications: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d M Sport (5 stars)

Engine size 2.0-litre diesel
List price £41,385
Target price £39,262
Power 188bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque 295Ib ft @ 1750-2500rpm
0-60mph 7.9sec
Top speed 139mph
Gov't fuel economy 62.7mpg
True MPG 44.9mpg
CO2 emissions 119g/km

Specifications: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate E 220 d AMG Line (4 stars)

Engine size 2.0-litre diesel
List price £41,215
Target price £36,778
Power 192bhp @ 3800rpm
Torque 295Ib ft @ 1600-2800rpm
0-60mph 7.6sec
Top speed 146mph
Gov't fuel economy 67.3mpg
True MPG 41.2mpg
CO2 emissions 120g/km

Specifications: Volvo V90 2.0 D4 R-Design (4 stars)

Engine size 2.0-litre diesel
List price £38,365
Target price £35,827
Power 188bhp @ 4250pm
Torque 295Ib ft @ 1750-2500rpm
0-60mph 8.0sec
Top speed 140mph
Gov't fuel economy 62.8mpg
True MPG 40.2mpg
CO2 emissions 119g/km