Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG (2002 - 2008) practicality

The E-Class scored a maximum five-stars for adult occupant safety in Euro NCAP crash tests. As well as the same high level of safety kit on the rest of the range, the AMG also has high-performance brakes with composite front discs as well an AMG-tuned Electronic Stability Control Programme (ESP) with Acceleration Skid Control (ASR). E-class is a very safe car but scored poorly of pedestrian protection in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) crash tests.

Occupant safety is improved from 2006 with the adoption of Mercedes-Benz's pre-crash safety system, which adjusts the passenger seat position to optimise the benefit of the airbag when the stability control senses a crash is imminent. It also closes any open windows or the sunroof.

The saloon has a decent sized boot with 510-litres - that's slightly more than the Jaguar XFR and BMW M5 but it loses out compared to the Audi RS6. The wide boot opening means it's easy to load however and there's minimal intrusion from the load lip, plus it comes with a luggage net and load anchors as standard to help restrain any heavy loads in the boot.

With the rear seats in place the estate version offers a considerable 690-litres of boot space, a figure few alternatives can match. The boot floor itself is wide and deep, allowing you to carry larger objects than you'd at first think possible. The rear seats fold down flat to boost the maximum space to almost 2,000 litres plus there's the option of a sliding boot floor, making loading and unloading heavy objects much easier.

There's also decent storage up front with good sized door bins and a large central cubby.