Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review - Dazzling Elegance

In the world of luxury sedans, few can match the legacy and brand identity of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It has been on sale in India for almost three decades now, and it remains not only the best-selling model for the German automaker in India but also arguably the segment benchmark. Mercedes has now introduced an all-new E-Class to enhance its value proposition even more. But how do you better what’s already considered the best? Let’s find out.

Bigger, Better, Bolder

Let’s begin with the design of the car, as it is what forms first impressions, which in this case are great. The E-Class sold in India continues to be the long wheelbase (LWB) model. Interestingly, the wheelbase has increased even more than the outgoing model, and overall, the car is now both longer and taller. Together, these changes give it a much better road presence.

Take a closer look, the first thing you’ll notice is the glossy black surround around the grille, flanked by the bulbous headlamp. In theory, it is supposed to mimic the double-barrel headlamp design of the E-Class of yesteryears, but I am not sure if it’s immediately apparent unless pointed out. This new front fascia will look much better in lighter colour options than what our test unit had. Speaking of which, what you see here is a new addition to the E-Class colour options, and while it looks fantastic, it also attracts dust, particularly in environments like Delhi. So, keeping it spick and span will require a bit of extra effort.

On the sides, the 18-inch alloy wheels stand out, and thankfully, they don’t appear too small for the E-class. In comparison, the new 5 Series also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, but they look way too small for that car. Clearly, the designers at Mercedes-Benz have done a better job here. You’ll also notice pop-out door handles, which sit flush with the body when not in use, offering a clean and sleek look.

At the rear, it now gets a new taillamp design with a three-pointed star-like element inside it, which looks stunning, especially when you see it in person. Where the car’s design falters a bit – at least that was the case in our test unit – is at the back, where the chrome strip on the boot lid doesn’t line up correctly. It was rather surprising to see such an issue on a modern Mercedes, as it’s something that rarely happens. We really hope that this was an issue limited to just our test unit.

A Class Apart

Coming to the interior, this is where the E-Class takes the biggest step towards looking and feeling futuristic. What will immediately grab your attention is the Mercedes ‘Super Screen’, which is a massive one-piece glass panel, spanning almost the full width of the dashboard. I also quite like how the AC vent lines elegantly wrap around the screen and how the AC vents can now be electrically adjusted through the infotainment screen. Essentially, the glass panel consists of three displays – a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen system for the front passenger as well. All of these displays, ooze brilliant quality, offer exceptional touch responsiveness, and feature impressive software design. The overall effect is a cabin that feels undeniably futuristic, which could easily be a deciding factor for many buyers.

That said, it’s not perfect and has its own share of quirks. While the lovely-looking steering wheel has a lot of functionality, all of its controls are touch-based, which I’m personally not a fan of. Additionally, the absence of ventilated seats for the front row is a strange omission, especially in a car of this stature.

For those wondering, yes, you do get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a 360-degree parking camera, and 4-zone automatic climate control, along with a fantastic Burmester sound system. There’s plenty of storage spaces all across the car as well. But let’s be honest, most buyers are probably more interested in the back-seat experience – so let’s dive into that.

The Boss Experience

Being the LWB version of the sixth-generation E-Class, the extended wheelbase allows for an extremely spacious rear-seat experience. What elevates the experience even further is that you can recline the rear seats between 26 and 36 degrees – electrically of course – and control the positioning of the front passenger seat from the back as well, creating more space whenever needed. The rear seats also feature an electrically extendable under-thigh base, which can be extended by up to 40mm for additional support and comfort. There are soft and plush pillows for added relaxation, and electrically operated blinds for the rear window and rear glass panel ensure privacy and shade. There’s a blind for the quarter-glass as well, but it can only be operated manually. Additionally, the two-part sunroof further adds to the whole experience. There is also a drop-down armrest with a wireless charger for your phone, along with concealed cup holders. You get the idea – the rear seat is where you enjoy the best experience that this car has to offer.

Cruise-Control

Powering the new E-Class E 200 variant – the one we tested – is a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which makes 201bhp and 320Nm of torque and comes with the 9G-tronic torque converter gearbox. There’s also a new 48V mild-hybrid system, along with an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), which provides an extra 23bhp under hard acceleration.

This drivetrain is clearly tuned for comfort above all else, and it’s evident the moment you start the car, although you barely hear it starting or running at idle. The car is extremely refined and a pleasure to drive, but make no mistake – it’s not a car meant for enthusiasts. The light steering and pliant suspension setup, along with everything else, emphasise the car’s comfort-focused nature. So, those who like to be chauffeured will find absolutely nothing to complain about.

The steering is responsive but lacks the feedback needed for spirited driving. What’s impressive, however, is the brakes, which offer great feedback and bite. During our time with the car, the E-Class never scraped its belly over speed breakers despite having such a long wheelbase. Honestly, there’s not much to talk about the driving experience of the E-Class, as it is quite unassuming and unexciting. But that’s precisely the point. The E-Class delivers comfort and refinement in spades, which is exactly what you expect from a car in this segment. For enthusiasts, like me, the top-spec E 450  would be a more fitting option.

Verdict

The E-Class has always been great value for money, and with the launch of the new V214 generation, Mercedes has yet again delivered an exceptional offering. Given that it starts at an introductory price of ₹78.50 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base E200 variant, the price increment is only about a couple of lakh rupees. Given the significant improvements the car has undergone, this price increase seems more than justified. Overall, the car still feels like one of the best options to consider if your budget is under ₹1 crore.

Additionally, Mercedes also offers the E-Class with a diesel engine for an additional ₹3 lakh. There is also the top-spec E 450 4MATIC variant, which is genuinely a fast car with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, making it capable of going from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Seemingly, there’s an E-Class for everyone, and an E-Class has everything one would want from a car in this segment. It seems, then that king of the premium sedans is all set to further solidify its domination in the segment.  

The cabin of the new E-Class is so brilliant that it seems to have been borrowed from a segment above

The rear seat experience is unmatched in terms of comfort and convenience