Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes E220 CDI SE

Is latest E-Class top contender in this fiercely competitive sector?

ANY executive model that wears a three-pointed star on its nose has to cope with high expectations. For many buyers, the badge represents the best in refinement, quality and engineering.

But the latest E-Class saloon has suffered mixed fortunes since it first appeared in our showrooms last year.

That doesn’t mean you should discount the Mercedes, because the E220 CDI is arguably the sweet spot of the four-door line-up. With low CO2 emissions, a powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine and plenty of company car kudos, it’s a formidable opponent.

Advertisement - Article continues below

An imposing grille and upright stance give the E-Class more road presence than the Volvo and Audi. Unfortunately, the visual appeal is marred by questionable detailing, including the fussy character lines down the flanks and over the rear wheelarch. The £565 optional 17-inch polished alloy wheels also raise our test model’s profile, as the standard 16-inch rims look too small.

Inside, the design is functional but short on flair. Apart from the increase in space, you could easily mistake the interior for the smaller and cheaper C-Class. It’s generously equipped, although Mercedes’ trademark Artico fake leather simply isn’t as special as the real stuff found in the other cars.

Classy

The rest of the materials look and feel classy, while the solid build is on par with the luxurious S-Class limousine. You also get a big load bay, with the E swallowing
540 litres of luggage – in this company, only the Audi’s 546-litre boot is bigger.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

EQB

2024 Mercedes

EQB

23,560 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £25,904
View EQB
Enyaq

2022 Skoda

Enyaq

34,287 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £17,592
View Enyaq
EcoSport

2022 Ford

EcoSport

39,898 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,267
View EcoSport
A-Class Saloon

2023 Mercedes

A-Class Saloon

28,347 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £18,800
View A-Class Saloon

Twist the key in the ignition and the 2.1-litre diesel engine clatters noisily into life, temporarily shattering the E220’s executive car aspirations. Once you’re on the move, the slightly gruff unit becomes much less intrusive – and besides, any concerns about refinement are offset by the car’s strong pace. When fitted with the slick-shifting optional five-speed automatic gearbox, the Mercedes blasted from 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds – a mere three-tenths down on the more powerful, manual BMW.

But what really marks out the E-Class is its scorching mid-range urge, which allows drivers to breeze past slower traffic with ease.

If only the hot hatch performance was backed up by similar agility. Point the Mercedes’ nose at a series of corners, and it feels all at sea, the soft suspension causing plenty of body roll. There is also precious little feedback from the controls. And while the E-Class deals with big bumps well, it can fidget over smaller imperfections and crash into potholes.

These limited sporting pretensions will draw some buyers to the Mercedes, while its refinement and 24-carat image are as big a part of the appeal as ever. Better still, the manual emits 139g/km of CO2, and our auto returned a decent 34.5mpg. Add robust residuals, and the E220 claws back the ground lost by its uninspiring looks and uninvolving handling.

Details

Chart position: 2
WHY: Few brands command as much prestige as Mercedes. We find out if the latest E-Class lives up to the premium legend.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £34,716
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,500 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,966 off RRP*Used from £7,250
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,549 off RRP*Used from £11,890
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025