Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2013 Review

Mercedes-Benz E 200, E 250, and E 250 CDI

Except for the roof, the well-groomed E-Class gets all new body panels complete with a full LED headlight array for the first time. New engines, iPhone 5 integration, Google app technology and other additions deliver up to $20,000 worth of improved value on some models, says Benz.

The new engines are sure to raise a few eyebrows too, with a quartet of efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants launching this month (June), followed by the new E 300 BlueTEC diesel-electric hybrid in July.

Then in September the big guns arrive, beginning with the new E 400 bi-turbo petrol V6 (replacing the V8-powered E 500). It will be followed by the tyre-frying E 63 AMG, a quarter-million dollar proposition.

As one of the German brand's core models, the E-Class is a key vehicle for the brand, not just in terms of sales but also as a bastion of elegance that doesn't command a stratospheric price tag. That it was rushed into this mid-life update to mollify concerns about its dowdy appearance is no secret, but the small changes and tweaks made in other areas do just as much to improve the car's appeal.

Man-made ARTICO leather upholstery, a reversing camera and six-way electrically adjustable seats are also standard, as is a thoroughly upgraded infotainment system. The new 'gen-3' COMAND APS infotainment system comes with an internet browser, iPhone 5 compatibility and several integrated 'apps' are now standard, plus sat nav, 10GB music storage, CD/DVD and SD card slots, Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony, and voice control.

Interior design has been left largely unchanged except for new-look steering wheels and updated switches, and a digital display for the automatic climate control.

All E-Class models also get LED driving and main beam lights which give the car an aggressive but technical new look, comprising 37 individual LEDs on each cluster.

Mercedes-Benz says the new E-Class is one step closer to "accident free driving", having added more 'eyes' to the car to improve safety. A reversing camera, Blind Spot Assist, and Collision Prevention Assist are now standard, the latter featuring brake-assist systems.

All E-Class models can now park themselves too (both reverse and parallel positions) thanks to Active Park Assist. Auto-dimming and folding mirrors are standard on base models now.

The entry-level diesel E 220 CDI model has fallen in price by $2400 to $82,400 and has the same spec as abovementioned E 200.

The E 250 and E 250 CDI models bring more power and more bling to the table, respectively priced at $96,400 and $98,900. They add full LED headlamps (adding automatic LED high beams), 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, keyless entry and push button engine start, a remote locking boot, electrically adjustable steering wheel and three memory presets for the seats.

These mid-grade models also get the Driving Assistance Package Plus, which adds a slew of advanced safety features. Active Lane Keeping Assist automatically steers the car back into its lane should it veer away -- and it's a very good system, both on the freeway and on winding roads. Also added are automatic braking, improved pedestrian protection and even rear facing radars that can pre-engage safety systems in the event another car rear-ends the E-Class.

The E 500 and E 350 models are not offered in Australia and we didn't drive the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid ($108,900), E 400 ($128,900) or E 63 AMG ($249,900) models as they hadn't been released in Australia at the time of writing. Still, Mercedes-Benz says the upcoming trio deliver significant "customer advantage". The E 400 already has a substantial pre-order list more than three months ahead of its arrival says Mercedes, and adds things like digital radio tuning via a Harmon Kardon Logic 7 stereo, glass sunroof, and a 360-degree camera system.

Benz will also continue to offer seven-seat Estate (wagon) versions of the E-Class, which it says will be an important part of the range, despite accounting for only five per cent of current sales. The company says that because the R-Class is now out of production, there could be increased demand, and so have expanded the range and cut the prices. The seven-seat range now starts at $86,900 for the E 200 Estate, below the $100K mark for the first time. Benz will also offer diesel and turbo-petrol V6 Estate variants with the E 250 CDI ($106,700) and E 400 ($136,700).

There's also an options list as long as the Hume Highway, so if require adjustable AIRMATIC suspension or rear seat DVD players to name but two, you can tick the box.

Driving the E 200 and E 250 back-to-back in wet conditions showed up little difference in performance, with the more powerful E 250 feeling only marginally stronger from a standing start, and less so when overtaking.

Diesel models follow a similar pattern with the E 220 CDI and E 250 CDI powered by the same sized 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine block, generating 125kW/400Nm and 150kW/500Nm. Only the E 200, E 250 and E 250 CDI were available at the local launch drive and the E 250 CDI was the pick of the bunch with smooth but assertive power. It moves briskly off the mark as well, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds.

The E 220 CDI's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are rated at 4.9L/100km and 132g/km, while the E 250 CDI uses the same 4.9L/100km but emits less greenhouse gasses at 129g/km.

Regular E-Class models are offered with a seven-speed automatic and it's a proven piece of equipment, effecting rapid but smooth shifts, and there's steering wheel paddle shifters should you want to channel Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

For more details on the mechanical aspects of the new E-Class, check out our international launch of the vehicle

There's a more modern multifunction steering wheel and the fancier climate controls lift the cabin ambiance slightly. By moving the gear lever to the steering column front seat occupants have a roomier, cleaner looking area too. It also means a larger centre console box is fitted, easily swallowing a couple of phones, their charging cables and wallet with loads of room to spare.

Incidental storage comprises a pair of useful storage drawers under the front seats, twin cup holders and a few other nooks, but there are no bottle holders in the doors. Where is the Claret supposed to go? Also, a foot operated park brake clutters the pedal area and lacks the contemporary feel (and instant engagement) of electronic push-button systems. Finally, the satellite navigation lags behind BMW's fancy-looking 3D system.

Boot space is unchanged for saloon and estate models, at 540 and 695 litres respectively, which is about average for this size of vehicle -- and big enough to easily throw in several golf bags. Estate models also come as standard with two rear-facing boot seats, as the E-Class wagons have for decades, but the seats are suitable for small kids only.

The best packaging change for the new model in my opinion is the updated exterior design, resulting in one of the sportiest, most aggressive E-Class's yet. The new design is still elegant enough to appeal to conservative buyers, but the more assertive design cues (particularly the intricately designed LED head and brake lights and 18-inch wheels) might also see younger buyers take notice.

All models feature the updated Attention Assist 2.0, which warns drivers if they're getting sloppy in their roadcraft, there's automatic locking doors, belt pretensioners, blind spot monitors, even a brake pad wear indicator. Collision prevention and accident anticipating systems are standard, as is a first aid kit and reflective traffic warning triangle in the boot.

In terms of customer popularity, the current pecking order has the BMW 5 Series leading, followed by the Jaguar XF, the E-Class, then the Lexus GS, with the Audi A6 lagging in fifth place.

Mercedes-Benz expects the new model will see it lead the segment by year's end.

The car will never surprise you, which may be seen as a drawback by enthusiasts, but it is one of the reasons the E-Class is still the benchmark executive luxury saloon.

Gliding with composure through corners rather than howling battle cries at them, the E-Class managed to be a more engaging car than it used to be. Mercedes-Benz told motoring.com.au that Australian-delivered E 250 models (petrol and diesel) have a suspension tune unique to this country, and that the new electro-mechanical steering improves on the previous setup with slightly better feel. It adds a bit more weight to proceedings compared to the previous setup too.

The improved steering is most at home driving from A to B and is more suited to commuting and parking than open road frolics, but knowing that it's a more capable car is reassuring, especially if you run a little hot into a corner.

Even on rain-soaked roads the E-Class is easy to place, both on the straights and through corners. It doesn't have the dynamic character of the BMW 5 Series, but maintains a refined and comfortable air as well as a better level of ride comfort.

There was a touch of tyre noise during the launch drive, but generally speaking the E-Class is a quiet vehicle. We drove three models in all -- the E 200 and E 250 petrol and E 250 CDI diesel.

The E 200 is a well-rounded vehicle but struggled when accelerating its 1655kg mass at higher speeds, and when overtaking. The 1680kg E 250 is better but not by much.

It's interesting to note that both E 200 and E 250 do not have strong top ends and it could be argued this softer, more relaxed engine calibration is better suited to the cars' premium persona.

Hopping into the E 250 CDI quickly banished any overtaking issues, the turbo-diesel-powered sedan possessed of smoother but stronger power reserves. It was certainly my favourite engine of the three on test, though it should be noted all models had very good brakes.

Another boon is the car's slab-sided windows -- it's an easy vehicle to see out of. The seats look fairly plain but are very comfortable, even on entry-level models and the trademark Merc seat adjustment buttons located on the door panels are absurdly intuitive.

The new E-Class is a positive improvement on the previous model. Though criticisms can be levelled at the car's various driving and safety assistants (which can only be switched off after navigating several infotainment menus) and lacklustre entry-level petrol engines, the iconic Benz saloon is more efficient and more engaging to drive without losing any of its grandeur.

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