Overall Average Rating: 89.23%
Position in the Top 100 cars: 8th

The E-Class peaked last year, but posting an eighth place finish in 2009 shows it’s far from ready for retirement! With the all-new version due on sale later in 2009, the German executive class model has set a high standard for its successor to follow.

While it’s not the sportiest saloon on the market – 56th for handling is nothing to boast about – the Mercedes has an exemplary ride quality and the stopping power of a supercar. It’s a breeze to drive and superbly built, too.

A raft of efficient new engines should help the next E-Class to improve on the 66th place running costs rating of its predecessor.

Your Quotes

“Beautifully built with pillow-soft ride and tremendous power delivery. More comfortable than an Audi, more elegant than a BMW and more roomy than a Lexus.”

Lee White, Witham, Essex

Manufacturer Verdict (Position: 9th)

Comfortably into the top 10, Mercedes has closed the gap on BMW. Third place for ease of driving and fourth for ride help, but the firm can improve on its 26th place out of 35 for running costs.

Overall Average:
4.471
89.42%
9th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy a Mercedes E-Class again
4.4
88%
11th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy another Mercedes E-Class again
4.8
96%
14th in Driver Power 2010
Performance:
4.614
92.28%
7th in Driver Power 2010
Braking:
4.522
90.44%
20th in Driver Power 2010
Handling:
4.281
85.62%
33rd in Driver Power 2010
52-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

E-class W201 is a super machine but is let-down by the poor development of the electronic components - particularly braking and suspension (mine has self-levelling), thus causing issues of it being off the road for repair, in service/repair for longer than expected (with no courtesy car available from M-B) and constant warning messages on the fascia when nothing is wrong!
Other than that is is a great machine - if a little thirsty at the pumps, particularly when being used around town.

Performance: 4/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 4/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

A very stylish car, great performance and handling. Things that let it down are small things like not having cup holders and also the surface over the dashboard slopes so you can't place anything on top. Generally the build quality is excellent but again small details let it down such as the supporting gas struts for the tailgate fail after a short time.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
53-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

because I am retired this car has to last me.
I am amazed that my 320E will do a lot better mileage than many smaller engined cars on a run. The brand speaks a lot about the confidence you put on the safety you feel when you drive.
very satisfied.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
55-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

For the money and mileage on my car when I bought it only 20k miles with Full Service History, I am absolutely delighted. Only wish it had Sat Nav. Telephone wiring and bluetooth cradle is great and works well on my E280CDI. Next

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
06-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

I wanted It all -- large estate car / luxury / good response engine wise/ style / lots of extras /
To sum up its the PERFECT car for me -- its has it all --- I love to drive it .
Never thought I would say that about any car .

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

I have always had W124 series cars, saloon, estate and now the coupe, none has ever let me down, possibly the best designed and manufactured car ever. The boot on the coupe shames most credible hatchbacks for capacity.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Comfortable, surprisingly economical for a medium-sized saloon with a 2.2l engine.
Hate the foot-operated parking brake.
Love the speed limiter functionality.
Miss rear seats that fold down.

Performance: 4/5 Braking: 1/5 Handling: 4/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Brilliant all rounder - equally happy cruising around on a motorway or being driven like my hair is on fire round a bendy B road!

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
57-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Comfortable, smart, fast, spacious.
Mercedes Mondial Assistance when I had an accident was more than superb

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

E Class Coupe is simply a great drivers car, excellent handling with style. A superb driving experience

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
53-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Brilliant. I liked the 8 Volvos I had before the Mercedes but the Merc is worth the extra every time.

Performance: 4/5 Braking: 3/5 Handling: 5/5
04-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

stylish, good quality, excellent performance and enjoy driving it everytime I get into it

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 4/5 Handling: 3/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Excellent, other than ancient audio system, will not play MP3 nor has input for Ipod.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
56-reg , Owner for 1 to 3 years

I purchased the car for its performance (E63) and it has lived up to its reputation!

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 4/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Could not have been better. Delighted with it and dealers have been good too.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

This my third Eclass estate and I regard it as one of the best cars available

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
55-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

mercedes E320 cdi v6 diesel is a great car , you ought to try on yourself

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
07-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Fun to drive and well equiped but you must chose the correct equipment.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 4/5 Handling: 5/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Delighted and very pleasantly suprised with the performance. Great car

Performance: 4/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
03-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

Great Executive saloon car. Still looks and drives great after 6years.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

My 1994 W124 eclass estate is just about the best car I've ever owned.

Performance: 3/5 Braking: 4/5 Handling: 3/5
03-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Alot of car for the money. High running and servicing costs.

Performance: 3/5 Braking: 2/5 Handling: 3/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Simply the best car I have owned in 40+ years of driving.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The last of the over engineered Mercedes!

Performance: 3/5 Braking: 4/5 Handling: 3/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The best car I have owned old but good

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 5/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Delivers exactly what I expected of it.

Performance: 5/5 Braking: 5/5 Handling: 4/5
53-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

nice car

Performance: 3/5 Braking: 4/5 Handling: 5/5
02-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

boring

Performance: 2/5 Braking: 2/5 Handling: 2/5