Mercedes E-Class

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £26,879 to £33,752
• For : Impressive refinement, smooth ride, punchy V6 diesels
• Against : Dated looks, gruff four-cylinder engines, uninspiring cabin

Launched in 2009, the latest Mercedes E-Class continues the brand’s long tradition of comfortable and refined big saloons. As ever, there’s a sober-suited four-door saloon and practical estate versions, while at the top of the range is the tyre-smoking E63 AMG model. Buyers get a huge choice of petrol and diesel engines, including gruff four-cylinder units, silky smooth V6s and a thumping V8 in the AMG. And while the styling of the Mercedes isn’t as modern as a BMW 5 Series or Audi A6, the lure of the three-pointed star on the bonnet gives it massive kudos in the company car park.

Our pick: E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Sport

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Mercedes E-Class

Styling

There’s no doubting the Mercedes E-Class looks a little staid when lined up alongside sleek rivals such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. Yet neither competitor can quite match the upmarket appeal of the Mercedes – few badges have the three-pointed star’s status in the corporate car park. Still, buyers wanting to make even more of an impact should opt for the Sport version, which adds a neat bodykit and attractive 18-inch AMG alloy wheels.

Interior

Mercedes has a hard won reputation for quality, so it’s no surprise to find the cabin is beautifully finished and packed with first-rate materials. What’s more, it’s very well-equipped, with all models getting Bluetooth connectivity, heated seats and parking sensors. So it’s a shame that the angular and upright dash looks so old fashioned and unattractive.

Driving and Performance

Keen drivers looking for the ultimate in sharp handling should look elsewhere, as it only takes a short stint behind the wheel to realise the Mercedes has been developed with comfort in mind. All versions get adaptive dampers as standard, which means the E-Class isolates occupants from the poorest road surfaces. Better still, low noise levels and a perfect driving position make it a superb long distance cruiser. Yet with its slick steering, decent body control and rear-wheel drive chassis, the Mercedes is surprisingly entertaining through a series of corners. Entry-level versions get gruff four-cylinder petrol or diesel powerplants that are mated to a clunky six-speed manual gearbox – the excellent seven-speed auto is an expensive option. There’s also a smooth 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol. But pick of the line-up is the muscular and refined 261bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel.

MPG and running costs

Almost all the models in the E-Class line-up feature the brand’s BlueEFFICIENCY eco-friendly badge of honour. Yet it’s the E220 CDI that’s the cleanest of the lot. Thanks to the recent introduction of stop-start technology, the 2.1-litre diesel engine emits 130g/km of CO2 and promises to return 56.5mpg – add the optional auto gearbox and these figures improve to 129g/km and 57.6mpg respectively. Yet even the powerful E350 CDI diesel will manage more than 40mpg and emit just 162g/km. As with any Mercedes, hitting the options list is an expensive exercise – specifying sat-nav or a real leather finish for the seats will leave a big dent in you wallet. What’s more surprising are the poor residuals, with E-Class models struggling to retain around 40 per cent their value after three years – the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 are stronger performers here.

Practicality

The E-Class is a big car, so it’s not a surprise to find it has a roomy and spacious cabin. Five adults have enough head and legroom to lounge around in comfort, although the transmission tunnel is an awkward intrusion for a passenger sitting in the middle of the rear bench. A quick inspection of the interior reveals plenty of useful storage cubbies, plus a large glove box and a huge lidded compartment between the front seats. Pop open the tailgate and you’ll discover a vast 540-litre boot that benefits from a couple of shopping bag hooks and load nets. However, the E-Class loses practicality points for not having a folding rear bench as standard – a 60/40 split-fold item is an expensive extra.

Safety and reliability

With Mercedes' tradition for safety, it would have been a shock if the E-Class hadn’t secured a five-star EuroNCAP rating. But with its strong construction, full complement of seven airbags and standard fit electronic stability control, the Mercedes easily bagged a top score. What’s more, all versions also get a driver fatigue detection system, plus there’s the option of a night vision set-up, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Bulletproof construction suggests that the E-Class should be as hard-wearing as its famously tough ancestors, while the standard three-year warranty is joined by the firm’s Mobilo scheme, which delivers breakdown cover for up to 30 years if you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer.