The bad news first: The new E-Class is likely to be the last of its kind and will be replaced by the EQE, which is already available, sometime in seven or eight years after it is phased out. And: If you want to sit in a business limousine, you have to buy one (from around 54,000 euros) or have a good friend who owns one. Because a short-term participation in this kind of luxury – as a taxi, then even with a chauffeur – will no longer exist. The E-Class as a people’s transporter, it has served its purpose with the sixth generation. Otherwise, from the point of view of a car enthusiast or engineer, the new E-Class is once again a masterpiece, a small S-Class, stuffed with everything if desired , which is currently possible at Mercedes. And that’s so much that we can’t even begin to list it in this context.
For example, there is a digital vehicle key so that the E-Class can be started with just a cell phone or a watch – as long as it is from Apple. With the new, surcharge automatic climate control Thermotronic, the air vents adjust themselves independently by means of two small electric drives, which Mercedes calls the new German Digital Vent Control.
But there are also bizarre things like an anti-motion sickness program that is intended to alleviate or even prevent the passenger’s symptoms. Unfortunately, we felt comfortable on board the E-Class, so we can’t say anything about its effectiveness at this point. Yes, the feel-good factor is really high.
Especially if you have ordered the technology package, which is subject to a surcharge and includes air suspension (Airmatic) and rear-axle steering. While the Airmatic lets the occupants float away over all the hardships of the road, the rear-axle steering provides the necessary agility. Especially in tight corners, such as in parking garages or when manoeuvring, the almost five meter long sedan feels like a compact car.
Look at the upper class
Mercedes also wants to live up to its own premium standards in the interior.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
Small S class
When it comes to comfort, the E-Class can keep up with its big brother.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
The voice control MBUX was already one of the best of its kind. What is new is the possibility of creating so-called routines. Mercedes understands this to mean connecting conditions and functions with one another, for example with the command: “If the temperature in the interior is below 16 degrees, switch on the seat heating and set the ambient lighting to warm orange”.
If you are alone in the car and don’t tend to sing solo, you can now also set MBUX to “Just Talk”. Then the system reacts to every spoken word, so you don’t have to activate it first with the command “Hey Mercedes”. If you forget to have selected this setting, it can quickly become annoying.
Visually, the new E-Class looks somehow familiar. And that is intentional, because it should be immediately recognizable as a Mercedes sedan. Due to the long wheelbase (plus 2.2 cm to 2.96 meters) and the elongated bonnet with the driver’s cab pulled quite far back as a result, the four-door car, which is at least 4.95 meters long, looks very dynamic.
The classic three-box design is still the benchmark for a well-proportioned car and makes most SUVs look stuffy and clunky in comparison. When it comes to the engines, Mercedes relies exclusively on mild hybrid combustion engines or plug-in hybrids, either with pure rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive that can be booked for an extra charge or all-wheel drive as standard and in any case with turbo support and the well-known nine-speed automatic transmission on board.
We found the basic version, the E 200 with 150 kW/204 hp, very convincing. Thanks to the meticulous insulation, the two-liter four-cylinder is hardly present in the interior and only penetrates when you accelerate vigorously.
attention to detail
The taillights are elaborately worked.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
One with an asterisk
The star of the brand is integrated into the radiator grille.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
The E 220d (145 kW/197 hp) remains the first choice for long-distance drivers and bargain hunters. Like all mild hybrid variants, the slightly rough-running diesel is supported by an electric motor with 17 kW/23 hp, which provides an additional 205 Nm to the 440 Nm of the combustion engine. This helps when starting and accelerating and reduces consumption, which is specified as 4.8 to 5.5 liters. The E 220d is also available with all-wheel drive. Either way, the diesel shows that it is still the first option for frequent drivers.
In addition to the two mild hybrid combustion engines, Mercedes also provided two plug-in hybrids in three variants for the test drives, the E 300e with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and the E 400e, which currently marks the top of the new E-Class with a system output of 280 kW/382 hp. Compared to the competition, the PHEVs impress above all with their long electric range, which Mercedes specifies as 95 to 109 kilometers for all models. In practice, this means a real electric range of 70 to 80 kilometers, which is more than enough for everyday use outside of long-distance journeys.
Unlike many plug-ins with real ranges of 30 or 40 kilometers, anyone who can “refuel” at home or at work has the option of driving for weeks or even months without a combustion engine, but can start the holiday trip at any time without worrying about range. On the minus side of every PHEV is the increased fuel consumption due to the weight of the two drives, the consumption of resources and the higher prices.
You should also know that even the E 400e is not an athlete, despite its great driving figures on paper (250 km/h top speed, 5.3 s from 0 to 100 km/h). If you really put your mind to it, you will notice that the interaction between the two systems does not always work harmoniously under sporty full load.
The high level of driving comfort, the outstanding amount of space, especially on the outer rear seats, the level of safety and equipment options once again make the new E-Class the ultimate business sedan. If you want more, you can go for the S-Class, then with a chauffeur. On the other hand, we’d really like to do business with an E-Class ourselves, if we do business with the boss about it.
Mercedes E-Class – Specifications
Four-door, five-seater upper middle-class sedan
Length: 4.95 meters
Width: 1.88 meters (with exterior mirrors: n/a)
Height: 1.47 meters
Wheelbase: 2.96 meters
Trunk volume: 540 liters (plug-in versions: 370 liters)
E 200: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo petrol engine,
Mild hybrid, 150 kW/204 hp
Maximum torque: 320 Nm at 1,600 – 4,000 rpm
Boost: 17 kW/23 hp + 205 Nm
Nine-speed automatic
rear wheel drive
Vmax: 240km/h, 0-100km/h: 7.5s
Consumption: 6.4 – 7.3 liters
CO2 emissions: 144 – 166 g/km
Emission standard: Euro 6
Price: from approx. 54,000 euros
E 220d
2.0 liter four cylinder turbo diesel
mild hybrid
145 kW/197 hp
Maximum torque: 440 Nm at 1,800 – 2,800 rpm
Boost: 17 kW/23 hp + 205 Nm
Nine-speed automatic
Rear-wheel drive (four-wheel drive)
Vmax: 238 (234) km/h
0-100km/h: 7.6 (7.8)s
Consumption: 4.8 – 5.5 (4.9 – 5.7) liters
CO2 emissions: 125 – 143 (130 – 149) g/km
Emission standard: Euro 6
Modern interior
Mercedes has done a lot on connectivity
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
space in the back seat
Although the new E-Class will probably not drive as often as a taxi, there is a lot of comfort in the back seat.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
E 300e (values in brackets: all-wheel drive version)
plug-in hybrid
2.0 liter four-cylinder petrol engine + electric motor
150 kW/204 hp + 95 kW/129 hp
System output: 230 kW/313 hp
System torque: 550 Nm
Nine-speed automatic
Rear-wheel drive (four-wheel drive)
Vmax: 236 (234) km/h
0-100 km/h: 6.4 (65,) s
Consumption: 0.5 – 0.8 (0.6 – 0.9) liters + 18.4 – 20.7 (19.2 – 21.6) kW/h
CO2 emissions: 12 -18 (14 – 20) g/km
electric range: 97 – 115 km
Emission standard: Euro 6
Storage space in the rear
Depending on the variant, the trunk is up to 540 liters in size.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
combustion history
For the engines, Mercedes relies exclusively on mild hybrid combustion engines or plug-in hybrids.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
E 400e (values in brackets: all-wheel drive version)
plug-in hybrid
2.0 liter four-cylinder petrol engine + electric motor
185 kW/252 hp + 95 kW/129 hp
System output: 280 kW/382 hp
System torque: 650 Nm
nine-speed automatic
all wheel drive
V max: 250 km/h
0-100km/h: 5.3s
Consumption: 0.6 – 0.9 liters + 19.2 – 21.6 kW/h
CO2 emissions: 14 – 20 g/km
electric range: 95 – 109 km
Emission standard: Euro 6
More: Once again with storage space – the E-Class could be the last large station wagon from Mercedes