El Mercedes E-Class The current generation was launched in 2016, accumulating more than 1,2 million units sold since then. In this 2020 Mercedes-Benz presented a interesting restyling of this E-segment saloon, but due to the pandemic it has had to delay its commercial launch. Despite this, we have already been able to get on and test it for a few kilometers.
In this brief contact we have tested the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic. It is a microhybrid version. It has a six-cylinder in-line gasoline engine and an electric motor that supports in certain circumstances and, in addition, allows you to use the DGT ECO sticker. We tell you all the changes to this luxurious German sedan, as well as the improvements in technology, equipment and first impressions behind the wheel.
Change of style at the rear
It is only a restyling, so the structure and main forms are the same. In fact, the variations in the front they are contained. There are few modifications beyond some new features such as a greater number of chrome elements, a slightly retouched bumper, as well as a revision of the headlights, which now seem sharper and have a new light design. If you look closely, the grill has shyly changed its shape.
Where the changes are most noticeable is at the rear. Although the shapes of the trunk and bumper are very similar to the previous ones, the rear looks totally different. Why? Because the design of the pilots has changed considerably. They are now much wider and blend into both the bodywork and the boot lid, whereas before they were like teardrops at the rear corners.
By the way, the Mercedes E-Class is already larger than some S-Class from not many generations ago. Has a length 4.935 mm, a width of 1.852 and a height of 1.467 mm. Very important is the battle of 2.939 mm, which, as we will see a little later, leaves a very wide space for the legs in the rear seats.
A plus of elegance and interior technology
Meanwhile, in the cabin we continue to find a very technological and elegant look with the two screens for the MBUX system. As standard, both are 10,5 inches, although optionally they can reach up to 12,3 inches. Although, like all of them, they require some time to adapt if you are not familiar with the style of the brand, it is relatively easy to get used to them and, above all, to understand them easily. The definition is very good.
The steering wheel of the Mercedes E-Class is new. It is available in three versions, which are Sport, Luxury and Supersport. The most striking is the Supersport, with double spokes. The fact is that now they wear buttons Touch Control integrated with capacitive sensors. Although the test has not been very long, I expected that the buttons would be more difficult to operate and that they would not respond well, but the truth is that their operation has been good in almost all situations.
On the other hand, and continuing with the steering control, the steering wheel uses new sensors to detect if the driver has his hands on it. In some cars, when we drive with lane-keeping aid on a long straight where we don't have to make steering corrections, the system alerts us to take control of the steering wheel. This is not the case in the Mercedes E-Class, since it has sensors to detect the area where we grab it and the pressure exerted.
There are not many other changes besides new styles to personalize the cabin, colors and materials. The truth is that the number of possibilities is very high. During this brief contact, it gave me the feeling that the interior had better adjustments, especially in the central area of the dashboard, than in the previous version.
Lots of comfort and space
La habitability of the Mercedes E-Class does not change. It is a large car that is almost 5 meters long, with almost 3 meters of wheelbase. The front seats are really spacious, but the best comes in the rear seats.
Although in access to the second row you have to be a little careful with your head so as not to hit us, once inside we have more than enough space. It is not a car designed for five occupants, but for four. We will go in a relaxed position and not too upright. Legroom is considerable, being able to practically cross them if the driver is not far behind. The height for the head is not that wide, but you have to be very tall to be imprisoned behind here.
To finish, let's talk about trunk. Cargo space is 540 liters, which is 10 liters higher than that of the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. The difference in volume is non-existent to the naked eye. The fact is that, as in all three-volume saloons, the loading mouth is not practical And you can't take full advantage of the space either. The Estate body will always be more practical and versatile, adding another 100 extra liters of space in the boot.
mechanical offer
The mechanical offer, at least for the time being, is made up of diesel and gasoline engines, as well as plug-in hybrid engines (EQ Power), both in diesel and gasoline. They all have automatic transmission and, depending on the variant, they will or will not have 4Matic traction. It is also remarkable that the non-pluggable versions have electrical back-up with 48-volt starter alternators (EQ Boost technology), that is, they are micro-hybrids with the DGT Eco label. But not all of them are still available in Spain.
Diesel and plug-in diesel engines
| Version | Motor | power and torque | WLTP electrical autonomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | Motor | power and torque | WLTP electrical autonomy |
| E 220 d | 2.0 liter 4 cylinder | 194 hp and 400 Nm | X |
| E 400 d | 3.0 liter 6 cylinder | 330 hp and 700 Nm | X |
| E 300 from | 2.0 liter 4 cylinder | 306 hp and 700 Nm | 50 km |
Gasoline and plug-in gasoline engines
| Version | Motor | power and torque | WLTP electrical autonomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | Motor | power and torque | WLTP electrical autonomy |
| E200 | 2.0 liter 4 cylinder | 197 hp and 320 Nm | X |
| E300 | 2.0 liter 4 cylinder | 258 hp and 370 Nm | X |
| E450 | 3.0 liter 6 cylinder | 367 hp and 500 Nm | X |
| E 300 th | 2.0 liter 4 cylinder | 320 hp and 700 Nm | 49 km |
Safety and comfort technology of the Mercedes E-Class
The updated Mercedes E-Class land with the latest technology, in every sense. In addition to the mechanics and the revised version of the MBUX system, the driving assistants must be highlighted. It carries an extensive network of sensors and cameras to have all environment controlled. To put you in a position, it can brake on its own and stop if the driver does not react.
Some features are active speed limit assist with sign recognition and GPS, adaptation of the speed depending on the route (curves, roundabouts, tolls, etc.), active retention assistant, steering assistant, active blind spot control with acoustic and light alert when the door is opened, Parktronic with a 360-degree camera or cross-traffic alert, among many others.
At the wheel: Pleasure, smoothness and silence
As I said at the beginning, during this brief contact I have driven the Mercedes-Benz E450. This is what is currently the most powerful version of the Mercedes E-Class -with permission from the AMG-, developing a power of 367 CV at 5.500 revolutions, and a maximum torque of 500 Nm between 1.600 and 4.500 rpm. It's a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder. The 48-volt electrical system provides a further 22 hp and 250 Nm. Its approved mixed consumption is 8,3 l/100 km.
As soon as we start the car, the first thing we feel is the quiet and smooth operation of this engine block. If you don't look at the tachometer, you don't know if the engine is on or off. It's really fine. When starting the march in the parking lot, you notice that you are with a large car and that, although the exterior cameras have a very good definition, you have to be careful not to caress the bodywork in narrow areas.
Despite this, we cannot say that it is a bad car for the city. Ok, the size can be a bit scary, but when you step on the first manhole cover, the first bump, the first pothole through deteriorated asphalt, things begin to change. The pneumatic suspension and the great acoustic insulation they make you drive in a very relaxed way and your stress level at rush hour is reduced.
Due to the low noise level of its motor, it is reminiscent of driving an electric vehicle. In addition, since it has a lot of torque always runs at very low rpm, so the smoothness is increased. I would also like to point out that the feel of the pedals is very damped, while the steering is fast and light, ideal for loitering.
In this first contact I have not been able to cover many kilometers on the motorway, which is the true habitat of an E-Class, but enough to perceive the gentleness with which this car treats the driver and passengers. Very isolated also from aerodynamics and rolling, ride comfort is enviable.
In case there was any doubt about the pneumatic suspension, outside the city he certifies that it is a really comfortable car. In my view, in this sense clearly outperforms Audi A6 y BMW Serie 5. If you are thinking of buying one of these three models and your priority is comfort and smoothness, go for the Mercedes E-Class without thinking twice.
Also, in the case of the tested unit, the seats are of a very high quality. So much so that doubts arise as to whether we are with an E-Class or an S-Class. What's more, in curves it inflates the side cushion of the seat to prevent us from sliding, thus notably improving support but without penalizing comfort. If we take a curve to the right, it inflates the left side of the seat in a matter of moments. In a left turn, inflate the right side. It seems wonderful to me.
Otherwise, the engine seems to be a little too quiet, but only until we decide to stomp on the throttle. At that moment it revs up -although the sound is still very filtered- and fast hits us to the seat partially raising the nose by inertia. And it is that, as much as it is calm, it has 367 CV.
On the other hand we have various driving modes selectable, as in virtually any modern car. In the sportiest modes, it sharpens the response of the engine, the automatic transmission stretches the gears a little more, the steering gains some weight and the suspension gets a little stiffer. In any case, it is not the ideal car to go in Sport +. Even in that driving mode it still has a soft and conservative character.
Without a doubt, as soon as we have the opportunity we will try the Mercedes Class E for a week in order to further examine all its capabilities and, of course, the new features. It is a car that deserves to be tested for several days and without missing a long drive on the highway.
Mercedes E-Class saloon prices
| Version | Motor | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | Motor | Change | Price |
| E 220 d | 2.0 diesel 194 hp | 9G-Tronic | 53.500 € |
| E 300 from | 2.0 diesel PHEV 306 hp | 9G-Tronic | 65.150 € |
| E 300 th | 2.0 petrol PHEV 320 hp | 9G-Tronic | 63.900 € |
Mercedes E-Class Saloon Gallery
More information about this model
- Plazas 5
- Power 197 - 381 hp
- Consumer goods 0,5 - 6,4l/100km
- Assessment 4,6