You get that big car feeling from the Chrysler C300 estate, because its size is so overwhelming. The shape gives the feeling of infinite space, while the styling is truly American. Michael Moroney drove the big estate and explains its bulk in a useful sort of way.

Chrysler offers big estate car value in the 300C Touring model, which uses a Mercedes Benz engine and a host of technology to deliver space and comfort at an entry price of ?63,295 before delivery charges.

Just stand beside the Chrysler 300C Touring and its enough to give you that big car feeling. The large estate car has an instant recognisable style that leaves no doubts about its American design origin.

The body of the Chrysler 300C Touring shares some of the styling of the saloon model. The structure differs at the rear, where the side panels are unique as well as the roof and the boot design.

The boot door hinges are set back over the load area, so that it rises almost vertically and you don't need to step back from the vehicle. This unique boot door design gives better access to the rear cargo area. This bigger boot also gives 25 per cent more storage room than the saloon model.

Under that impressive skin there is a host of European engineering ideas and features that give the Chrysler 300C some extra appeal. And it's only when you drive the large estate that you begin to feel the hints of the European influence. It's also only then that you realise that it's not much bigger than other luxury end estates on the market; it just has stand-out style.

In every sense the 300C is distinctive. The design is very original and this gives it an element of individuality that some drivers want today. But individuality must match up in respect to the basic features of performance and reliability.

And that's where Chrysler has teamed up with Mercedes Benz to produce an impressive estate for the European market, built in Gratz, Austria. The 300C uses a line up of Mercedes Benz technology from the engine to the gearbox to deliver an impressive result.

This large estate comes with a Mercedes-Benz 3.0-litre CRD diesel engine that has a pedigree that speaks for itself. This V6 engine with third generation common-rail diesel injection, which is Euro4 compliant, delivers 218bhp, which is slightly lower than the competition, while its torque output is a match for the best.

The automatic gearbox also has a Mercedes Benz feel to it. It delivers a 0 to 100km/hr acceleration rating of 8.6 seconds, which is the slowest in a comparison group, which includes the Mercedes Benz E320, Audi A6 3.0V6 and BMW 530d, all equivalent diesel powered estates.

For a big car that weighs in at almost two tonnes, that's an impressive acceleration performance. The car drives very smoothly using a rear wheel drive system that seems well matched for its size. The suspension system has gleaned some ideas from the Mercedes Benz camp. It's smooth, comfortable and perhaps a shade soft, but that did not upset me. The Chrysler 300C Touring has a longer wheelbase and bigger wheels and tyres to the E-Class as part of its distinguishing features.