Mercedes-Benz E-Class review

Floaty and quiet, as you’d expect. Even on the steel coil suspension (four-arm fronts, five-link independent rears). Body roll is well controlled and undulations are ironed out with ease. Cobbles didn’t really phase it, and nor did a cratered British country lane. It’s proof that a good passive suspension system is often the right answer.

However, given us Brits love a gimmick and a gadget, it’s music to our ears that Merc’s Airmatic air suspension is now available here, as part of the Refinement Package. It’s a good system, air springs combining with continuously adjustable damping tech with impressive results. It adds a suppleness that is otherwise missing on the standard coil suspension, and even the very worst speed bumps (and potholes) are nicely cushioned out.

What’s the performance like?

Depends, which of the six powertrains are you referring to? A mild hybrid petrol E 200 develops 201bhp and 236lb ft, and the diesel E 220 d generates 194bhp and 325lb ft. The plug-in hybrid E 300 e and E 300 de trump them both, courtesy of an additional 127bhp electric motor, while above that there’s the 385bhp/553lb ft E450 d mHEV. Finally there’s the E 53, which boasts 604bhp and 553 lb ft of torque.

The entry mild hybrids cover 0-62mph in 7.5s and 7.6s respectively. Just don't attempt full throttle because they make a nasty noise. While there’s pace for an overtake both prefer calm, gentle progress to avoid unduly rousing the four cylinder, which is too intrusive even when modestly stretched. It’s the biggest faux pas the E-Class makes.

The plug-ins are just as guilty. A second quicker to 62mph, both the petrol and diesel see the revs soar almost at random, even under light throttle use. And combined with the hesitant nine-speed auto, they’re a long way from smooth.

The E 450 d is surprisingly pacy (4.8s to 62mph versus 3.8s in the E 53) but it's altogether better mannered because of its six cylinders. Now we're talking.

The less said about the brakes in any guise, the better: there is no feel in the pedal travel at all, making consistency nigh on impossible. A common Mercedes oddity, these days. We’re shocked they’re still not on top of it.

Any good round corners?

Yes, actually. The E-Class is in no hurry to be hurried, but if you do happen to give it some beans then it’ll find a surprising amount of grip. The steering isn’t the last word in tactility, and has precious little feedback, but does at least follow your inputs faithfully.

It won’t shock you to learn that the simple petrol feels the most agile, tipping the scales at 1,825kg. The plug-in is an oaf in comparison, weighing almost 400kg more. That this extra weight hasn’t undone the dynamics is a testament to the inherent rightness of the suspension set-up.

The new Refinement Package also introduces rear-axle steering. At speeds below 37mph, the rear wheels turn up to 4.5 degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts to aid manoeuvrability. At higher speeds, they turn by up to 2.5 degrees in the same direction as the fronts to benefit stability.

Doesn't feel terribly natural, but if you ever need to u-turn in a village you'll be grateful for the 90cm it chops off the turning circle. Mind that bumper, now.

What’s best for fuel economy?

The entry-level petrol is the sweet spot as far as bills go: its placid nature suits the E-Class and we saw 36.2mpg against WLTP figures of 44.2mpg (146g/km). The diesel is the one you want for crossing continents: officially it’ll do 58.9mpg (though we saw 35.8mpg over 60 miles taking in a mix of motorway and town in rush hour traffic), but with a 66-litre fuel tank that’s a theoretical range of over 850 miles. Or London to Nice without filling up.

Laughably the PHEVs both claim a bonkers economy number (470mpg in the petrol, 706mpg for the diesel) that has no real relationship with reality. That's the test's fault, not Mercedes'. Officially you get 70 miles of electric range from the 19.53kWh battery: we reckon 50-55 miles is doable. Company car drivers rejoice.

Meanwhile the E 450 d claims 47.1mpg – we saw a real world 40mpg – and the E 53... 314mpg. In the lab, duh. On a long run with 16 per cent of the journey done on all-electric power, we still only saw 25.9mpg. Yikes. Expected, but yikes.