This is the Mercedes E-Class, which is bookended by the company car favourite C-Class, and
the “Yes my lady” S-Class.
And we’ve actually got the Estate version today, so if you’re after a smooth motorway
cruiser, but also want ample practicality, and something that could function as an excellent
taxi, then this may be the Merc for you.
Now if you’ve been looking at the E-Class Estate, then you’ll no doubt have seen the
BMW 5 Series Estate, Audi A6 Estate and Volvo V90 constantly popping up – all of which
are high-end luxury cars.
So why should you buy an E-Class?
So… this is a pretty special interior, especially with this AMG Line trim and some optional
extras fitted.
As soon as you jump in you are hit by these huge 12.3-inch screens, one in the usual infotainment
location and an optional one behind the steering wheel.
And these create a flowing display that gives you everything you need from sat-nav directions
to fuel economy info.
I like the way the dashboard sort of folds over it as well to hem everything in.
And to be fair, for £500, for a luxury car, this is an option I’d definitely consider
having.
But there’s loads of other things too, you’ve got these quad air vents that stand proud
in the centre, a classy analog clock display, touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel,
coddling leather seats and more ambient lighting than a UFO, 64 different colours to choose
from in fact.
Mercedes’ popular navigation toggles are a bit easier to get your head around in the
E-Class too, easier than the GLC Coupe I drove recently anyway.
And in terms of kit like DAB and Bluetooth well yeah, you get all that with the E-Class.
And you even get numerous sizeable cubbies too.
Now if you want some additional safety kit, then you can opt for the Driving Assistance
Plus Package for £1,700, which includes the likes of Evasive Steering Assist, Blind Spot
Assist, Lane Keep Assist and DRIVE PILOT – and I’ll show you how that works in a bit.
We’ve also got the Premium Plus Package which comes with ultra-cool Multibeam LED
headlamps, which have an adaptive and cornering function and 84 individually-controlled LEDs.
Nice.
It may not be an S-Class, but space and comfort back here is limousine-esque, there’s tons
of head room and leg room.
There’s also a fold down arm rest to get extra comfy and you can opt for this panoramic
roof for a bit of extra pizazz.
And as a rear passenger you do feel like you’re being chauffeured around *don’t look at
me, look at the road*.
Now the E-Class saloon already has a big boot and thankfully the estate follows suit, with
640 litres with the seats in place and a massive 1,820 litres with the seats down, and these
can be easily folded with these buttons.
That means it’s bigger than its BMW and Audi rivals.
It’s really easy to access too with a low loading lip and nice wide opening which is
helped by its integrated parcel shelf boot lid.
When it
comes to luxury German cars, Mercedes doesn’t kid itself when it comes to dynamics.
For example, the steering is sharp enough but nothing special, I mean it can’t match
BMW for sportiness – but it doesn’t have to.
Mercedes’ USP is comfort – and boy does it do it well, it’s hard to know where to
start really.
The seating position is lovely, and there’s a plethora of adjustment if need be, the ride
attacks bumps and silences them instantly thanks to the adaptive Air Body Control air
suspension, which also comes with multiple driving modes, and insulation from wind and
road noise is brilliant.
And that brings me to the diesel engine, but we haven’t got the popular 220d diesel,
we’ve got the 350d 3.0-litre V6 – and this engine makes the E-Class a bit of a sleeper,
for all the right reasons.
Plod along with it, and it feels like a mid-range diesel, plenty of pull where you need it,
fine.
But put your foot down, and phwoar it can go, especially with the heightened responsiveness
of Sport or Sport + mode.
It riffles through the gears with this nine-speed auto too, I mean sure the twin-turbo set-up
makes for a smidge of turbo lag, but still, 620Nm of torque and a 0-62mph of 6.0 seconds
flat.
I mean this is a five-metre-long estate that weighs nearly two tonnes!
And it’s so quite too, sounds more like a petrol.
But fear not, it’s actually fairly efficient, you’ll get around 40mpg around town and
you should easily tickle 50mpg on the motorway.
It only emits 151g/km as well.
Okay so the 220d 2.0-litre diesel that can hit 60mpg probably makes more sense, and it’s
around £10,000 cheaper as well, But the V6 diesel is a great option for those who want
the best of both worlds, and Mercedes’ air suspension facilities that from a ride point
of view too.
It’s not just about the different engines, options and trims you go for though, Mercedes,
Audis and BMWs do feel different, they’re all a slightly different breed.
What I mean is, you are either sold on the comfy, relaxing character of a Merc or you’re
not.
Same goes for Beamers and Audis.
And I supposed the closet comparison is a Volvo.
Of course, being able to afford a Merc helps too, I mean this AMG Line V6 has about £9,000
worth of optional extras, costing a total of £58,655.