Sunday drive: Mercedes-Benz E 200

Friday, 5 March 2021

The Stuff Top Medium SUV for 2020 is the Mercedes-Benz EQC

MERCEDES-BENZ E 200
Base price: $106,600
Powertrain and economy: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-four, 145kW/320Nm, 9-speed automatic, RWD, combined economy 8.0 L/100km, CO2 184g/km (source: RightCar).

Most of the changes for 2021 are visible from the outside, like the new headlights and grille.

Vital statistics: 4935mm long, 1852mm wide, 1468mm high, 2939mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 540 litres, 19-inch alloy wheels.
Safety: Five stars (ANCAP, tested 2016)

Mercedes-Benz’ MBUX infotainment system has landed in the E-Class, along with a redesigned steering wheel.

At a glance: The facelifted E-Class gets an updated driver assistance package, fewer models in the range and a nicer interior.
Who should buy it: Those wanting an S-Class but not wanting to pay for an S-Class.

The E-Class has been given a fairly hefty facelift for 2021 and, to cut a short story even shorter, it’s still a high-quality German sedan. You can stop reading now.

Power here is sourced from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.

On the outside

If you’re still reading, then you will want to know that Mercedes has given the E-Class a styling update to bring it in line with other new models, with sharp DRLs on the upper edge of the headlight cluster, extra blades in the corners of the front bumper and a new grille. Around the back are slimmer taillights, similar in shape to the new A-Class sedan.

**READ MORE:

* Road test review: BMW 520i Sedan

The E 200 is the entry point to the E-Class, with the rest of the range focusing on the biggest sellers.

* Next Mercedes-AMG S 63 to be a 600kW PHEV?

* Review: Mercedes-Benz A 200 sedan

Even in base trim, the E-Class really is a baby S-Class, isn’t it?

On the inside

Inside is largely the same as before, but with some sneaky changes here and there. You’ll notice the steering wheel is different and Mercedes’ MBUX system now dominates the dash.

The new steering wheel is probably the most interesting addition, aside from MBUX which you probably already know all about. It ditches the physical buttons/touchpad combination of other Mercedes models and goes all-in on touch.

Unfortunately, like most implementations, it’s not perfect. There were more than a few times I couldn’t get the directional pad responsible for switching instrument screens to work (you need to move your thumb in the same direction as the arrows, not straight up or down) and getting MBUX to skip a song was difficult at times as well.

Just about the only problem with the E-Class is that the market wants SUVs more than sedans. Shame, too.

Under the bonnet

The E 200 here is the base model this time around, sourcing its power from a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four. It’s not a barnstormer of an engine, offering a humble 145kW/320Nm, but that’s all you really need.

It's paired with a familiar nine-speed automatic transmission that does a good job of finding the right cog for the situation.

There’s no mild hybrid electrification here, which puts the E-Class on the back foot compared to its BMW 5 Series rival. That said, the E 200 still returns decent fuel consumption figures of around 8.0L/100km.

The line-up has had a trim, now comprising the E 200, E 300 e plug-in hybrid, E 350 and the big daddy E 63 S. Mercedes had a look at what sold and ditched what didn’t, so there’s an interesting glimpse into what the few remaining sedan buyers actually want. Sadly, the mild hybrid straight-six AMG E 53 isn’t coming to New Zealand.

On the road

So, do the changes affect the actual drive of the E 200? Some do. The new steering wheel is nice to use, albeit surprisingly thick, and the new digital screens are, as usual, lovely to look at.

Aside from the new touchy-feely bits and the screens, Mercedes has reworked the lane-keep assist system to no longer require drivers to nudge the wheel when the system asks you to. This was to ensure drivers kept their hands on the wheel, because lane-keep isn’t autonomous driving, but it could still be annoying.

Now the system only requires a hand to be on the wheel, no movement, thanks to a bunch of sensors lining the rim. It’s still not autonomous driving, but it makes highway cruising easier.

Otherwise, this is the same E-Class to drive as it was before, though the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine sounds strangely diesel-like.

Mercedes includes its ‘Agility Control’ suspension as standard on the E 200, with “passive selective damping,” which seems to be Mercedes-speak for adaptive dampers. The system can adjust itself for varying road surfaces to improve the ride – basically it is active suspension designed for traditional steel spring-based systems.

Other standard features include active parking assist, a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging and ambient interior lighting.

Optional extras range from an augmented reality display (standard on the E 63 S) which overlays navigation information on the central infotainment screen and the new MBUX interior assistance package which allows actuation of some cabin functions by detecting hand movements from either the driver or passenger using a camera in the overhead console.

For example, a hand gesture towards the centre touchscreen can change the media display or highlight individual elements. Or, a reading lamp can be switched on by extending a hand towards the interior mirror.

Verdict

The E 200 is still a quality machine if you’re one of the few people in the market for a mid-sized sedan with luxury credentials. The new lane-keep system that requires just a hand on the wheel is a nice indication that autonomous driving is still coming and updates are flowing on from behind-the-scenes research.

Personally, I would recommend stretching for the E 300 e if you’d like a bit more power but without costing the environment too much, or settling for a higher-end C-Class for similar money.

In terms of competition, BMW’s refreshed 5 Series comes to mind, as does Audi’s A6. You could also consider the Lexus ES, which undercuts the Germans by quite a bit in price but doesn’t quite have the same pedigree.