The new E-Class saloon: Available to test drive and order now.

Words by Ken Pearson 

The new E-Class Saloon has arrived at Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire. With unmatched refinement, luxury features anf technology, the large family saloon is redefining what is possible in the executive class.

A striking new design evolves the classic shape. With DIGITAL LIGHT adaptive headlights equipped, the traditional four-eyed face makes a welcome return to this mainstay of the model range. The headlights are visually joined to the grille surround via a black panel trim. For AMG Line-based variants, the single-blade air intake design features a sea of three-pointed stars surrounding the large star in the centre of the grille. Top-spec Exclusive Edition models are guided by the bonnet-mounted flying star and a classic radiator shell with three double-louvres. 

Inside, there's more space than before with increased head, leg and elbowroom on all five seats. A choice of black, beige, brown and white leather interiors are available at no extra cost. Technology is abundant as standard in the new E-Class with a large central infotainment display and a digital drivers display running the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). The new MBUX system offers a Routines feature which allows you, the driver, to preselect multiple vehicle settings to activate at once. For example, you may want the ambient light to be blue, the radio set to a news station and the sunblind open for your commute whilst for the weekend, pink ambient lighting, a different display theme and the radio set to something for the family to sing along to may be preferred. All these settings can be programmed and activated in a matter of seconds, rather than having to do each one individually.

From AMG Line Premium specification, the E-Class gains the MBUX SUPERSCREEN which adds a third display for the front passenger which allows them to control media, navigation and vehicle settings along with streaming movies and videos via YouTube. Some electronic wizardry takes place to make the passenger display invisible when videos are being streamed.

Tech aside, comfort features are assured with every new E-Class getting heated and ventilated front seats as standard. Entry-level AMG Line models get part-electric seats whilst from AMG Line Premium and above, fully electrically adjustable front memory seats are equipped. Split-folding rear seats feature on both the saloon and the estate to enhance the already generous load capacity when required. The saloon has a 540 litre boot whilst the estate offers 615 litres, rising to 1,830 litres with the second row folded.

All models come with electrified powertrains with mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids available. The mild hybrid models allow for increased fuel efficiency whilst providing power and torque boosts under acceleration along with extended engine-off time at traffic lights or whilst coasting. The plug-in hybrid E 300 e mixes a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine with a large battery to offer up to 71 miles of electric driving range. The car can intelligently decide which power source is best suited to your driving and automatically activate electric driving when entering a city, provided there is sufficient charge in the battery. On longer drives, the Battery Hold drive mode deactivates the hybrid system, preserving charge for when you need or want to switch back to electric power.

A mixture of petrol and diesel engines are available with the E 200 and E 220 d four-cylinders being complimented in the range with the E 450 and E 450 d 6-cylinder engines providing effortless performance for the new E-Class. With 367 horsepower and 750 Newton metres torque on tap, the E 450 d features the most powerful diesel that Mercedes-Benz has ever made.

The powertrain refinement is up there with the best luxury cars that I have ever sampled; noise reducing materials and foam are used to plug space at the front of the car whilst top-spec models gain Acoustic Glass with a layer of film on the windscreen and side windows to further reduce wind noise. At motorway speeds, the long gearing allows for the engine to keep the revs low and the isolation high. The E-Class settles into its stride when cruising along dual carriageways and motorways - it feels like it'll happily do it all day.

The suspension has a firm compliance to it which eliminates any sense of wallowing over undulations in the road surface whilst providing stable body control and minimal roll when cornering. The steering is more direct than ever before in the E-Class and the car is surprisingly happy being threaded along a twisty road! Our demonstrator is equipped with 20" wheels but the suspension and wheel combination didn't feel crashy over bumps which took me by surprise. Estate models, as before, will come with self-levelling air suspension at the rear to keep the car level even when fully loaded. Visibility is great with the large windscreen, windows and enormous door mirrors giving a near panoramic view of the world around you; this is prompted by a relatively high driving position even with the seat set to be as low as possible. Rearwards visibility could be better but narrow rear windows are becoming the norm in modern cars. 

The new E-Class picks up right where the old model left off, with noticeable advances in refinement, efficiency, handling and technology which makes it a very compelling package for business or private use. Whilst the technology has been making all the headlines since the car was revealed, the car parts of the car are very impressive indeed

 Five model lines are available and the new E-Class is handsomely equipped as standard. The AMG Line model opens the range with AMG bodystyling, 18" 5-twin spoke alloy wheels, keyless start, rear privacy glass, heated front seats with adjustable lumbar support, two-zone climate control, Blind Spot Assist, the Parking Package with surround sensors and a reversing camera, 12.3" drivers display and a 14.4" media display, wired or wireless smartphone integration and much more.

AMG Line Advanced adds DIGITAL LIGHT adaptive headlights, 19" wheels, backlit interior trim with the Mercedes-Benz star pattern (this looks amazing), 360^o camera and electrically adjustable front memory seats.

AMG Line Premium adds the MBUX SUPERSCREEN with a 12.3" passenger display, Burmester 4D surround sound system, active ambient lighting and KEYLESS-GO with hands-free access. 

AMG Line Premium Plus brings 20" multispoke alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, a 3D drivers didsplay and a head-up display along with the unmissable illuminated front grille.

A classic design is available in the Exclusive Edition which shuns the AMG Line body styling in favour of the elegant Exclusive exterior design. A flying star sits proudly above the bonnet and the starless grille with three horizontal strakes. 21" multispoke alloy wheels complete the striking exterior look. The interior benefits from redesigned seats with quilted nappa leather upholstery and a redesigned multifunction steering wheel in the same luxurious material.

Pricing begins at £55,290 for the saloon and £57,930 for the estate.  

The new E-Class saloon and estate are available to order now and the saloon is available to test drive now. The estate will follow in the coming weeks. There will be no E-Class Coupé or Cabriolet for this generation of E-Class as the brand-new CLE takes up the mantle of the midsize two-door model in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. You can find out more about the brand new CLE here.

Whether you are new to the E-Class or have been driving the model for years, we'd love to see you and get you to experience the model for yourself! Fill in the form below to book your test drive and speak to a member of our sales team to secure your brand new E-Class.