There’s a new BMW 5 Series looming, but for the time being Mercedes-Benz is in a class of its own with the all-new sixth-generation W214 E-Class
- How much does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost?
- What equipment comes with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
- How safe is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
- What technology does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class feature?
- What powers the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
- How fuel efficient is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
- What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like to drive?
- What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like inside?
- Should I buy the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Even as hordes of buyers desert the sedan segment in favour of SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class remains a key rung in the German luxury car-maker’s portfolio. The W213 model that debuted in 2016 notched up 2.2 million sales during its seven-year lifespan, thanks to continued take-up by fleets and retail buyers. That trend is likely to continue with the launch of the all-new W214 generation, which builds on the strengths of its predecessor as it’s based on the latest MRA II platform that also underpins the current C-Class and S-Class. The W214 will be offered with a range of fuel-efficient four-cylinder and V6 mild-hybrid engines, while new tech includes a whizzbang MBUX Superscreen HMI (optional), as well as four-wheel steering that’s paired as an option with air suspension. The new E-Class, which is 22mm longer in the wheelbase than before, is also impressively slippery through the air, as retracting door handles contribute to a drag coefficient of just 0.23Cd.
How much does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost?
The new-generation W214-series Mercedes-Benz E-Class is scheduled to launch locally in the first quarter of next year, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis, but there’s as yet no word on pricing or spec levels for our market.
Stamoulis does, however, concede that diesel and plug-in hybrid models are non-starters for Australia at this stage, which suggests the mild-hybrid E 200, E 350 and E 450 4MATIC may be the initial offerings in Australia.
Given that the current (W213) E-Class kicks off at $113,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, we’d anticipate an increase of at least $10,000 from that marker for the W214, given its added tech quota and enlarged dimensions.
What equipment comes with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Apart from the usual quota of mod-cons, the all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class debuts some interesting new features that include the expansive MBUX Superscreen (optional), selfie/video conferencing camera on the dashboard, and a passenger display that can be used to view TikTok videos, play Angry Birds or stream movies.
Cleverly, there’s a filtering function that prevents the driver from seeing (and being distracted by) content on the passenger screen while driving.
Augmented reality that superimposes live images from the external cameras on graphic navigation and traffic information is available as an option, while artificial intelligence also enables the car to memorise the driver’s routines and provide support via templates that trigger a range of functions.
For example, “Cold days” could switch on the seat heating when outside temperature drops to a certain level, as well as change ambient lighting to warm orange. “Date night” could activate romantic music and change ambient lighting to pink.
Another interesting new feature in the W214 E-Class is an optional illuminated radiator grille surround, which remains lit whenever the daytime running lights are on.
Technophiles will also appreciate the new Digital Key, which enables the vehicle to be unlocked and started via their smartphone.
This tech is for now compatible only with Apple iPhone 11 or later or Apple Watch 6 or later. Mercedes is currently working on expanding compatibility to include other devices.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
No independent crash test ratings are as yet available for the new-generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but it’s traditionally a model that fares well on the safety front.
The MRA II platform uses a mix of high-strength steel and aluminium and is an evolution of the MRA platform used by the outgoing E-Class, which scored a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
Apart from its full complement of airbags (front, side, curtain, centre and driver knee ’bag), the E-Class is also armed with a range of active safety features.
Distronic active cruise control is standard and works in tandem with familiar features such as lane keeping assist, active brake assist, attention assist (drowsiness detection) and self-parking capability (which can now be activated via the touch-screen).
There’s also an optional Driving Assistance Plus package that adds features such as active lane change assist and active blind spot assist.
What technology does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class feature?
One of the notable attributes of the W214-series 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a drag coefficient of 0.23Cd, which isn’t too far adrift of the ultra-slippery EQS (0.20Cd).
A key ingredient here are retracting door handles that sit flush with the bodywork when not in use.
Also new to the W214 E-Class is four-wheel steer, which is paired as an option with Airmatic air suspension. In these models, the rear wheels can turn at an angle of up to 4.5 degrees, reducing the turning circle from 12.0m to 11.1m in all-wheel drive models, while in rear-drive variants it’s reduced from 11.6m to 10.8m.
What powers the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be available with a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models in some markets, but Australian buyers will be offered only mild-hybrid petrol offerings (at least initially).
The entry model is the E 200, which pairs a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The petrol engine ekes out 150kW and 320Nm on its own, while the hybrid boost kicks in an additional 17kW and 205Nm for short bursts.
The range-topper in our market (at least until the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 surfaces) is likely to be the E 450 4MATIC, which teams up Merc’s familiar 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with the aforementioned mild-hybrid set-up.
In W214 guise, the E 450’s six-pot turbo unit pushes out 280kW and 500Nm, with the mild-hybrid system again providing a 17kW/205kW boost for speedy off-the-mark getaways and safe overtaking manoeuvres.
Even the E 200 is respectably brisk, sprinting from 0-100km/h in 7.5sec and capable of reaching 240km/h flat out when conditions and regulations permit.
The E 450 4MATIC is appreciably faster, scorching from 0-100km/h in 4.5sec and effortlessly bumping up against its electronically governed 250km/h v-max.
How fuel efficient is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Despite their hefty girth, the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models are relatively frugal, with the German manufacturer quoting a WLTP consumption range of 6.4-7.3L/100km for the E 200.
Even the E 450 4MATIC is no guzzler (at least on paper) as Merc quotes a WLTP range of 7.2-8.7L/100km for it.
These are decent figures for a large (almost 5m-long) luxury sedan with a generous quota of mod-cons.
What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like to drive?
The W214 delivers exactly what you’d expect from an all-new E-Class.
Apart from the raft of new tech outlined above, the new-generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class builds on its predecessor’s strengths with its cutting-edge infotainment system and noticeably enhanced comfort/refinement levels.
It’s fair to say Mercedes-Benz has oriented the W214 E-Class far more towards comfort than dynamism, as the newbie glides across country roads with silky grace and poise.
Road and wind noise are superbly suppressed, to the extent the vehicle now arguably sets new benchmarks in its class for refinement.
The trade-off is that the W214 isn’t particularly engaging to drive. The steering feels remote (there’s very little in the way of feedback) and the car also pitches and rolls more than, say, a BMW 5 Series would if hustled across the same backroads.
Mercedes is obviously leaving plenty of latitude for the AMG boffins to work their high-performance magic with the upcoming Mercedes-AMG E 53 and E 63. Incidentally, the latter is destined to get a hot version of the M256 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engine with hybrid boost in lieu of the existing model’s twin-turbo V8.
We sampled a handful of E-Class models at the international launch in Vienna, including an E 220d and E 300e plug-in hybrid, but we’ll focus here on the E 200 and E 450 4MATIC, as those are the models that are more relevant to our market.
All the cars at the launch were equipped with Airmatic air suspension and four-wheel steering, so any commentary on steel-sprung cars will have to wait until the W214 lands on our shores.
In many ways, the E 200 hit the sweet spot best of all the models we drove as its lower mass compared to more potent variants (it tips the scales at 1825kg with a 75kg driver) means there’s less of a feeling of inertia when you’re threading it across winding backroads.
The 2.0-litre engine feels decently punchy, thanks to the added boost provided by the mild-hybrid system, so performance is perfectly adequate for a sedan that doesn’t purport to be a sporty offering.
The E 450 4MATIC is obviously faster, but this is partly offset by the added weight placed over the front axle by the six-cylinder engine, plus there’s the added mass of the all-wheel-drive system, which enhances traction in low-grip situations but dilutes the handling purity of the rear-driven E 200.
In our view, it’s perhaps a blessing in disguise the plug-in hybrid models won’t be offered in Australia, as they feel noticeably lardier from behind the wheel, owing to 280kg of extra mass, with the 25.6kWh battery pack alone contributing about 200kg of this. The PHEV models also sit 15mm higher than their mild-hybrid counterparts, which doesn’t help their dynamics.
Visually, the E-Class is evolutionary but, in our opinion, the Exclusive Line, with its traditional horizontal-vaned grille and three-pointed star atop the bonnet, looks far better than the Avantgarde and AMG Line models, which have the star motif in the centre of the grille.
Anyway, you can each make up your own minds about which look you prefer…
What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like inside?
Mercedes-Benz formerly erred towards conservatism in terms of design, but that’s no longer the case, especially when it comes to the interior of the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The W214 E-Class has genuine wow factor inside, as the whizzbang MBUX Superscreen (in cars so equipped) is complemented by artful design elements throughout the cabin, with skilful use of leather, open-pore wood, gloss-black trim and metal-look surfaces.
Although open-pore wood is the default choice for surfaces such as the centre console lid, there’s also the choice of other materials, such as carbon-fibre-look trim.
There’s a feeling of airiness inside the cabin, and rear passengers are the primary beneficiaries of the new E-Class’ enlarged dimensions, as kneeroom and legroom are increased by 10mm and 17mm respectively in the back.
Rear elbow-room has also been expanded by 25mm, and Mercedes says this now puts the new E-Class almost on par with its S-Class sibling.
Luggage capacity is a respectable 540 litres. It’s just as well we won’t be getting the PHEV models, as their higher bootlid floor means they offer just 370 litres of stowage space.
Should I buy the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
If an overtly sporty drive is what you’re after, you may want to wait for the upcoming new-gen G60 BMW 5 Series before making a buying decision.
However, if your criteria are more focused on comfort, refinement, solidity and a genuine sense of occasion when sliding into the cabin, the W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is, for now, in a class of its own.
It’s an impressive piece of engineering that ticks all the requisite boxes for a medium-large luxury sedan.
2023 Mercedes-Benz E 200 at a glance:
Price: $123,000 estimated (plus on-road costs)
Available: First quarter 2024
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 150kW/320Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.4-7.3L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 144-166g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested
Keyword: Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2023 Review – International