Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes E350 BlueDIRECT

The E-Class gets a new V6 petrol engine that promises class-leading efficiency, and a smooth-shifting revised automatic gearbox too

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes E-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

We already loved the E-Class, but with the addition of the new V6 petrol engine, it’s better than ever. It proves diesel doesn’t always have to be the default choice for luxury cars. Company buyers can now enjoy many of the cost-saving benefits of an oil-burning engine with the smoothness and refinement of a petrol unit. The additional shove the under-bonnet tweaks deliver is barely noticeable from behind the wheel, but the updated gearbox makes a huge difference to refinement and response. While the old set-up could occasionally be frustrating and slow, the new system suits the E-Class’s character perfectly. It all adds up to an impressive luxury car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Can this luxury saloon prove that petrol still has a long way to go? With diesels providing a mix of high performance and low running costs, the petrol saloon has fallen out of favour in recent years.

But Mercedes promises to change all that with its new E350 BlueDIRECT, as its 3.5-litre V6 engined claims a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption over the current model. By using direct injection and stop-start technology, the company has boosted combined economy by 8.3mpg to 41.5mpg.

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

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

E Class

2020 Mercedes

E Class

25,738 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £22,724
View E Class
E Class

2020 Mercedes

E Class

53,294 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £19,370
View E Class
E Class

2022 Mercedes

E Class

64,470 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £29,200
View E Class
E Class

2018 Mercedes

E Class

59,742 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £26,203
View E Class

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69323","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

That makes the E350 the efficiency class leader in this field by some margin, with the BMW 535i claiming 32mpg and the Audi A6 3.0 TFSI 34.4mpg. The newcomer is also the cleanest of the three, emitting 159g/km of CO2; the Audi and BMW models trail by 31g/km and 40g/km respectively. In fact, this output is nearly identical to that of the 3.0-litre diesel A6.

Most importantly, as it falls below the 160g/km threshold, the E350 is eligible for company write-down allowance – an important saving for business users. But Mercedes’ focus isn’t only on improving the model’s green credentials.

Various tweaks under the bonnet, including new air intakes, have boosted power from 288bhp to 302bhp. Torque is also slightly improved, by 5Nm to 370Nm, and it’s now delivered at 3,500rpm instead of 3,000rpm. Yet the 0-62mph time remains at 6.3 seconds, while the maximum speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

The E-Class was already a convincing package, with sharp handling and fantastic comfort and refinement. The only blot on its copybook was the occasionally unresponsive 7G-Tronic gearbox. But for the update, Merc has solved this.

An improved system, called 7G-Tronic Plus, delivers quicker and smoother shifts, thanks to a new torque converter with reduced slip and lower-friction components. This set-up will be standard on the E250, E350 and E500 models.

The new 3.5-litre petrol V6 is sure to be the pick of the range, though. Not only is it refined, smooth and punchy, it’s cleaner than the V6 diesel E-Class.

Rival: BMW 535i
sharp-looking 5-Series was crowned best executive car at our New Car Awards last year, and holds the edge for driving thrills. But it’s not as refined or comfortable as the E-Class. Fuel economy and emissions are now both well down on the Merc, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Mercedes E Class

Mercedes E Class

RRP £56,650Used from £23,510
BMW 5 Series

BMW 5 Series

RRP £52,195Avg. savings £6,739 off RRP*Used from £31,995
Mercedes C Class
Audi A6

Audi A6

RRP £39,640Avg. savings £7,364 off RRP*Used from £16,483
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025