The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been the penultimate regal saloon, and it is now back to keep its crown firmly on its head.
This is the new 6th-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon.
What, six generations already? Yes, like that old friend who’s always been around; always reliable, always classy.
Now, more than ever, owning an E-Class is like a silent announcement to the world “I’m a person of great wealth.” And why wouldn’t it be? The latest E200 has a price tag to match – roughly 400 grand at the time of writing.
For that kind of money, you’re buying a piece of elegance, a dash of plush comfort, and a whole lot of solid executive vibes, all wrapped up in a package that’s been jazzed up for the digital age.
But it’s not all smooth sailing for the E-Class. It’s got some tough competition, mainly from the BMW 5 Series, and to a lesser extent, the older Audi A6.
You might have thought some of these rivals had vanished from the showrooms, but they’re still around. It’s just that their sales figures aren’t as pretty as they used to be, and it feels like they’re just waiting for the curtain to fall. Darn those tall-riding SUVs.
So, what does the tri-pointed stalwart bring to the table?
Modern Chic, Traditional Roots
Mercedes-Benz has always designed the E-Class with a regal ensemble, and the new boy follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. The taillamps stretch across the rear, and they’ve even thrown in lighting elements shaped like Mercedes’ iconic three-pointed star. Talk about making an entrance.
Up front, the headlights give a subtle nod to the days when the E-Class was rocking four round lamps. It looks especially classy with the ‘Exclusive’ trim pieces fitted to it; the old-school styled grille and famed bonnet emblem define it as quintessentially Mercedes.
Yes, the new E-Class has inadvertently borrowed some style cues from Mercedes’ electric EQ lineup, and those cars are about as exciting to look at as watching paint dry. But, the E-Class manages to pull it off with a certain understated elegance.
It’s got a presence that’s hard to ignore, neatly positioned between the C-Class and S-Class in the visual pecking order.
Tech Galore
Stepping into the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class feels like walking into your local tech joint, with more glass and pixels than you can shake a stick at. A 12.3-inch panel for driving info, a 14.4-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and another 12.3-inch screen just for the front passenger to fiddle with. It’s all very flashy, in that unmistakable Mercedes way.
The silver finish on some elements feels a tad tacky, and once you turn off the ignition, you’re left with a smudgy fingerprint art exhibit on the massive glass panel. There’s nowhere to rest your fingers while you’re prodding the screen either, so maybe keep a cloth handy.
Mercedes has dubbed this setup the “Superscreen,” and while it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, it’s a little excessive for what a car needs. Your front passenger can pick their own entertainment, thanks to the car’s 5G connectivity, but really, it’s not doing anything an iPad couldn’t do – oily finger smudges included.
Thankfully, Mercedes has made the interface slightly more user-friendly. Everything’s just a couple of taps away, and it’s pretty easy to get the hang of where everything is. The new tile-based design means if you’re savvy with a smartphone, you’ll feel right at home with the Mercedes system.
And the features do not disappoint. Integrated 5G conference calling, power-operated vents, real-time navigation overlays, ambient lighting that pulses to your music, and even Angry Birds (yes, really). At night, the interior looks like a disco, and I’m pretty confident no one else can top Mercedes in the ambient lighting department for now.
There’s even a selfie camera on the dashboard for capturing your road trip memories. Let the grandkids take charge of this one.
But with all these distractions, it kind of defeats the purpose of a car that’s supposed to make driving less stressful. Especially the haptic steering wheel touchpads; they’re supposed to replace buttons, but they either ignore your commands or do the exact opposite of what you want. They’re infuriating and can sour your whole driving experience.
The interior has also been decluttered, with a sleek band replacing the old quartet of vents and a lower centre console. Sounds great on paper, but controls like HVAC and media become unnecessary aforementioned screen-prodding manoeuvres.
It’s a shame the tech can detract one away from the otherwise luxurious interior; the driving position is spot on, and the seats are so comfy you’ll wish you could take them into your living room. Visibility is decent, and Mercedes more than makes up for it with a plethora of cameras and sensors at your disposal.
There are still some cheap plastics, but overall, the cabin looks and feels premium. The open-pore wood and leather dashboard are a classy touch.
If you’re usually chauffeured around in the back, you’ll appreciate the extra space. The new E-Class is bigger in all dimensions but still manages to feel roomy in the back despite the sloping roofline.
The boot remains the same size as the previous generation at 540 litres, more than enough for your weekly shop or your weekend golf essentials.
Sublime Comfort
While the BMW 5 Series might have the edge in terms of driving engagement, Mercedes knows where its strengths lie – comfort.
And let’s face it, in a country where the pace of life is competitive and unforgiving, who wouldn’t want to be ensconced in a cocoon of comfort to wash all of those troubles away?
With 204bhp and 320Nm under the hood, the E200-spec E-Class has enough grunt to get you to your important business meetings in sublime comfort. There’s even a mild hybrid system that adds a little extra oomph to your acceleration.
The 9G-Tronic gearbox shifts smoothly, and the brakes are easy to modulate. The steering might not give you a play-by-play of what’s happening under the wheels, but it’s faithful to your commands – a good sign for when AMG gets its hands on this baby.
Ride-wise, the E-Class is a serene zen garden. Body roll is kept in check, and it smooths out bumps and potholes with grace. Even local roadworks can’t ruffle its feathers.
The suspension is like a magic carpet ride, balancing comfort and sportiness. Sure, it might not handle corners like its rivals, but for a sedan, it’s got a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it engaging to drive.
Would a bigger engine make sense in the E-Class? Possibly, as the 4-cylinder garnered a real-world fuel economy of just 10.2km/litre during my drive. All that weight bogs the car down, and the engine has to be coaxed more in order to get going.
Business-Class Priority
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and this new one still excels at being a leader in premium comfort.
But here’s the bigger pickle: what’s the E-Class’s raison d’être these days? The S-Class has carved out its niche as the chariot of choice for high-flying execs racing against the clock.
That means that the aspirational allure that once defined the E-Class seems to have faded into the background. It’s as if Mercedes is just going through the motions, hesitant to shake things up for this long-standing favourite.
What we’re left with is a car that struggles to carve out a distinct identity for itself, content with being a showcase for an array of cabin technology.
It’s a competent package, no doubt, but the question looms: who’s actually in the market for an E-Class these days, when everyone wants the latest and greatest SUV?
But, to those who still crave the sleek comfort of an executive saloon, the E-Class is a fine example – as long as you can tune out the tech-induced noise.
Technical Specifications
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon
Engine: 1,999cc 4-cylinder in-line 16-valve, turbocharged
Power: 150kW (201bhp)
Torque: 320Nm
Gearbox: 9G-Tronic (A)
0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 240km/h
Fuel Economy: 14.3km/L (claimed)
Price: POA (AMG Line), S$378,888 (Avantgarde), S$388,888 (Exclusive), all with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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