Mercedes E-Class saloon (2009 – ) expert review

The nose of the Mercedes E-Class has been sharpened up with a headlight redesign and bigger, more upright grille. LED daytime running lights sit low down in the front grille and add some drama to the front of the car, which is much more aggressive than before. The long bonnet and three-pointed star are present and correct and remind you this Mercedes is the real deal. It’s more striking than the discreet Audi A6 and has a traditional design compared with the BMW 5 Series.

There’s nothing gimmicky about the interior of the E-Class; it’s spacious and comfortable and exudes class without resorting to brash features. The use of dark wood or aluminium trim complements the black plastics and upholstery. The front and rear seats are comfortable over long distances and can be specified with a massaging option and system to automatically adjust the side bolsters as you corner. Most of the vehicle controls are operated by the central screen and control joystick, leaving the dashboard less cluttered with buttons.

The E-Class offers excellent space for front and rear occupants, with rear legroom being particularly good. The boot is able to hold 540 litres of luggage (20 more than a BMW 5 Series). There are plenty of places to store items in the cabin, and steering column gear selectors in automatic cars free up space for storage in the central console.

SE and Avantgarde models are fitted with conventional suspension and 16- and 17-inch wheels respectively. Sport models are fitted with stiffer springs and dampers as well as 18-inch AMG alloy wheels. Finally, the E500 features adjustable air suspension as standard – an option which can be fitted to six-cylinder models. The car we tested rode comfortably and required very little effort to drive thanks to its light steering. On the motorway the E-Class feels surefooted and relaxed. Mercedes is carving its own niche with comfort top of the agenda, while BMW and Audi concentrate more on handling and driver involvement.

There are three new four-cylinder engines; the entry-level 134bhp E200 CDI just about gets the E-Class to 60mph in under ten seconds, the 168bhp E220 CDI takes 8.6 seconds,  the 201bhp E250 CDI taking 7.7 seconds. The V6 E350 CDI has 228bhp and a massive 398lb/ft of pulling power, helping it hit 60mph in 6.8 seconds. Acceleration is impressive, especially at higher speeds on the motorway. Away from diesel, the 184bhp, E200 CGI petrol gets to 60mph in 8.4 seconds, the 201bhp E250 CGI being a second quicker. The V6 E350 CGI and V8 E500 produce 288 and 382bhp respectively.

Significant reductions have been made to the engine emissions in the E-Class line-up, with some models improved by as much as 23 per cent. The new four-cylinder diesel models are particularly impressive, with emissions of 139g/km and economy of 54.3mpg leading the way in the E200 CDI. The Audi A6 2-litre TDI is even cleaner with emissions of 129g/km of CO2. The V6 and V8 petrol engines are still as thirsty as you’d expect, and more likely to appeal to private buyers than the fleet-friendly diesel models.

There were problems with the complicated systems fitted to the last E-Class, which have led to the new model being extensively redesigned and thoroughly tested. After 21 million development miles involving more than 400 test cars, Mercedes is confident the new car will instill confidence in the brand.

The E-Class is expected to perform admirably in crash tests thanks to extensive design measures and the latest safety technology. The E-Class underwent 17,000 simulated crash tests before a real car was ever damaged. Nine airbags, ABS and stability control are fitted as standard. The bonnet pops up in a pedestrian collision and the car can monitor for potential drowsiness at the wheel. On Avantgarde and Sport trim cars the headlights dip automatically.

There is a huge amount of equipment available in the E-Class, as you would expect. Even the entry-level SE models get 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-style seats, heated front seats, climate control and parking sensors. Avantgarde cars have lowered suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, xenon headlights and dimming mirrors. Sport models have more hugging seats and a more sculpted steering wheel as well as metal pedals, speed-sensitive steering, drilled brake discs, sports suspension and 18-inch AMG alloy wheels.

The latest E-Class is a return to form for Mercedes in the class it traditionally excels in. Rather than ape the competition, it’s carving out its own niche as the most comfortable and refined German luxury saloon with an understated and elegant class.