David Thomson catches up with the updated iteration of Mercedes-Benz’s fifth generation E-Class saloon.
What’s new?
With the inexorable rise in popularity of SUVs, luxury saloons have become far less prominent in the market.
Who might remember, for example, that when the current Mercedes-Benz E-Class was launched in 2016, it was significant enough to be crowned New Zealand Car of the Year?
Since then, SUVs have scooped NZ Car of the Year honours without interruption, and for the past two years the title has gone to all-electric SUVs: firstly, the Jaguar i-Pace, and then, last year, to the Mercedes EQC.
Back in 2016, we described the latest E-Class as a “supremely assured, composed and comfortable luxury saloon,” but the aspect of the vehicle with the biggest wow factor was its semi-autonomous driving capability.
Which brings us neatly to the vehicle’s mid-life upgrade.
Several minor exterior styling tweaks are part of the refresh, but the key changes have come on the inside, with the E-Class now sporting Mercedes’ state of the art MBUX infotainment system and changes to its autonomous driving set up.
It is interesting to note too, how the variants that make up the E-Class range have changed since that 2016 launch. Most obviously, diesel-powered options are gone, largely for reasons of perception rather than environmental reality.
The 2021 line-up comprises three variants, headlined by the iconic high-performance Mercedes-AMG E63 S with its $241,400 tag and 450kW/850Nm bi-turbo V8 powerplant. While the E663’s fuel-burn figures (12.3l/100km and 280g/km) will have the green-brigade reaching for their blood pressure pills, they may find some relief in the new middle player of the E-Class pack. This is the $147,000 E300e plug-in hybrid, with a 2.2l/100km standard cycle fuel consumption figure and 50g/km emission rating.
Drivesouth sampled the updated E-Class in the third of its guises, the entry-level E200. Priced at $107,200, this turbocharged 2.0-litre machine musters 145kW of power and 320Nm of torque and an 8.0l/100km standard cycle return.
What’s it like to look at?
Understated elegance has long been a defining characteristic of the E-Class, and that hasn’t changed with a mid-life refresh which focuses on the subtle addition of greater dynamism to the established look.
Up front there’s a new grille and slimline headlights and the rear lights are slimmer.
There’s 19-inch AMG alloys fitted with 225/40 R19 tyres up front, and 275/35 R19’s at the rear.
What’s it like inside?
The spacious cabin of the current E-Class was exceptional when it first appeared, combining a clean-lined dash design with high quality materials, and excellent fit and finish.
The test car’s cabin echoed the exterior’s use of predominantly dark colours, including for the woodgrain finish insert that runs across the dash and wraps into the doors. Burnished metal highlighting and colour-adjustable LED strip lighting provide plenty of contrast, and there is a double sunroof.
There’s a power-opening lid for the 540-litre capacity boot, and a 40-20-40 g rear seat split.
The front seats are especially comfortable and supportive and come with a few extras. The front seat heaters are adjustable for different sections. The seats can very slightly move the seat backs and cushions to reduce back fatigue on long trips.
In-car connectively needs are covered by Bluetooth, and an array of USB-C plus points, including one in the lidded compartment at the base of the centre console that also houses the wireless charge pad, two in the centre bin, and two more in the rear of the cabin.
The dash is dominated by the double widescreen set-up that was still very new when the current E-Class was launched, but which is now well established within the Mercedes range. The double-screen and associated control system on the console enabled a massive button de-clutter with this fifth generation E-Class, and that’s a mission that continues with the mid-life update, part of which involves the vehicle adopting the latest version of the MUBX integrated infotainment system. This means a new steering wheel, fitted with Mercedes’ latest capacitive touch controls.
While the pre-facelift steering wheel already featured touch-sensitive pads to control the infotainment system, the new version adds further capacitive-touch switches on the spokes to control other functions. It also introduces a touch-sensitive steering wheel rim, with embedded sensors replacing wheel movement as the way the car — as it deploys its semi-autonomous driving capability — senses the driver's hands are on the wheel.
The new steering wheel set up works well, in supporting semi-autonomous driving with minimal fuss, but there were moments of frustration on test using the new pads to alter the infotainment settings and screen displays.
What comes as standard?
Key comfort and convenience items not already covered include keyless go, artificial leather trim, dual-zone climate control, and wireless phone charging. The MBUX multimedia set-up includes voice-activated control and — as part of the Mercedes me connect system — online map updates for the satellite navigation, and an app that allows vehicle pairing with a smartphone to access functionality such as Remote Engine Start, Remote Door Lock & Unlock, and the parked vehicle locator.
The test car also took the $6600 vision package, which added the panoramic sunroof, a head up display, and 13-speaker Burmester surround sound audio system.
Standard safety items include Mercedes’ Driving Assistance Plus package, which provisions radar cruise control with stop-go functionality and route-based speed adaption to automatically slow the car in lower speed zones and for corners. It also covers active braking assistance with cross traffic functionality, active lane change and lane keeping assist, active blind sport assist, and evasive steering assist.
What’s it like to drive?
The E-Class rear-drive set-up is a positive point of distinction in today’s all-paw and front-drive focused world. So too is the touch of the uber-luxury S-Class saloon about the E-Class; indeed, in many respects it is better suited to Kiwi roads than its larger sibling.
Ride quality is excellent too, which was a pleasant surprise given the move to larger wheels and correspondingly lower profile tyres with this latest update. There is some coarse chip road noise of course, but it is tolerably contained.
By-and-large the semi-autonomous systems are unobtrusive and effective. Active lane change assist is a feature to wow the unsuspecting with; to change lanes with adaptive cruise control engaged, simply indicate, and the car will oblige when it is safe to do so. On the other hand, the cruise control’s route-based speed adaption frequently and frustratingly slows the car to cornering speeds far more modest than needed.
The E200 offers four primary drive modes — eco, comfort, sport, sport+ — plus an individual mode that mixes and matches the engine, gearbox, steering and stability settings to the driver’s preference.
Comfort is the primary mode that best plays to the E200’s key strength as a supremely accomplished and cossetting open road cruiser.
Full sport mode adds more performance vim, but at the cost of mechanical refinement. Frankly, if out-and-out acceleration and dynamic sharpness are key considerations, there are better options than the E200 both within and beyond the E-Class range.
Focusing instead on a smooth and considered driving approach, the motor’s 145kW and 320Nm deliver ample punch. While the four-pot engine lacks the silky nature of a six under acceleration, it benefits from being mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox that shifts so seamlessly that its gear changes are almost imperceptible.
Verdict
A well-considered upgrade keeps the Mercedes-Benz E-Class up there among the best of the large luxury saloons.
Photos: David Thomson
