Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes E250 CDI

Can this super efficient diesel clean up in the executive class?

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Mercedes E-Class
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

Efficiency doesn’t have to come at the expense of a decent driving experience. Mercedes has made a good fist of making a more economical version of its luxurious E-Class. The firm has got a lot of the new package spot-on. Our only criticism is the powerplant, which suffers in comparison with more refined units from rivals such as BMW. And with the next 5-Series set to bring more advances, this three-pointed star could be left in the shade. For now, though, it’s a winner.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This is the greenest Mercedes E-Class ever – and not only could it help the planet, it could also prevent owners from going into the red!
The E250 CDI will be the least polluting and most efficient car in the range until an even more eco-friendly E220 CDI goes on sale in September.
However, buyers should still be happy with this 2.1-litre, four-cylinder oil-burner. It puts out 154g/km of CO2 and promises 47.1mpg economy – that’s an improvement of 20g/km and 4.4mpg over the previous-generation E220 CDI.
What this means for owners is road tax of £150 a year – not bad for a luxury model. And make no mistake, even though Mercedes is trying hard to offer environmental and financial benefits, it hasn’t compromised on the comfort and quality that lie at the heart of the E-Class.
The E250 CDI still provides a cosseting experience on the road, soaking up bumps and patchy surfaces. A stronger chassis and new dampers that adapt to the driving conditions make this a highly comfortable cruiser – especially because it’s so quiet inside. Part of the reason for this is that Mercedes has used coconut husks as sound insulation: it sounds nutty, but it works!
All that deadening is also necessary because the diesel unit isn’t as quiet and refined as some of those offered by rival manufacturers. It’s still a little on the agricultural side when you press on, and even if you’re accelerating only gently there’s a faint clattering sound.
However, this is pretty much the only criticism you can level against this car – which says a great deal about the package. The engine’s performance is more than adequate, and with peak torque of 500Nm on tap from 1,600rpm, there’s plenty of in-gear pull. What’s more, bearing in mind that it tips
the scales at 1,735kg, this E-Class is also surprisingly agile and engaging to drive.
 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: classy Audi A4 Avant estate plus 8,000 miles per year for less than £300 a month
Audi A4 Avant driving on UK roads
News

Car Deal of the Day: classy Audi A4 Avant estate plus 8,000 miles per year for less than £300 a month

Our Deal of the Day for 27 March is for those who want a big trunk for all their junk
27 Mar 2024