Test drive Mercedes-Benz E220d: the brilliance of technology

The German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has always been one of the benchmarks when it comes to executive vehicles, with the E-Class being one of the most famous models in its entire history.

The new generation of the E-Class is currently one of the greatest exponents of technology, both in terms of entertainment and comfort, and at Highmotor we wanted to check this for ourselves.

A design similar to that of its bigger and smaller siblings…

The current generation of the E-Class (and there have now been five that carry the E designation) was launched in 2016, giving rise to the W213, an E-Class that marked a break in both design and technology. The people at Mercedes were clear: the new Mercedes had to stand out clearly.

The front of the E-Class leans towards sportiness, especially if you opt for the AMG package, which, curiously, our test unit featured. It is a very aggressive nose due mainly to a generously sized grille with the star as its focal point. The bumper, very sporty, integrates several eye-catching decorative mouldings, as well as a chrome-finished strip on the lower part.

The light units, with LED technology and a teardrop shape, also contribute, serving as a link to a very classic side view which nevertheless reinforces its presence thanks to a tension line running along the bodywork at the height of the door handles, ending at the rear light.

The generous wheels, which on this unit were 19-inch with a glossy finish, fill the wheel arches to perfection. At the rear we find an overall image similar -for some too similar- to models such as the C-Class, with light units again teardrop-shaped and a rounded boot lid.

As is already customary at Mercedes, the presence of mouldings simulating exhaust outlets gives the final touch to the rear. There is no shortage of chrome-finished mouldings, both on the window frames and the door handles, the sills or even the boot lid.

However, the presence of details that do not match the premium image that Mercedes has always had is surprising. We refer, for example, to the roof welds, which, unlike Audi, are covered with a plastic moulding rather than adopting other solutions, such as laser welding.

The most modern interior in its segment

If we open the door and look inside, the first glance reveals a cabin in which modernism is the dominant note. The basic lines of the dashboard once again recall those found in the S-Class, the model that started the revolution in interior styling within the brand.

Fluid lines and curves, a large central decorative moulding that visually joins the dashboard and doors, and a centre console in a relatively elevated position make up a cabin in which the instrumentation is the other key point, especially if, as in our unit, the most expensive option is fitted, consisting of two 12.3″ screens integrated into the same panel.

The seats, very comfortable, are upholstered in a very soft leather but with a somewhat “artificial”, stiff feel. Nevertheless, the grip, comfort and adjustment possibilities are very good. The visual impact of the whole is reinforced by ambient lighting with more than 60 colour options, lighting that extends across the dashboard, the doors and the footwells.

The quality of the interior can be divided into two different aspects. If we limit ourselves to the visual level, the Mercedes reaches a very high standard, but if we focus on build quality, in my personal view this E-Class has dropped in standard compared to its predecessor.

Some plastics are not up to scratch; the feel of, for example, the pillar trim does not correspond to a premium saloon costing €70,000, and the solidity of some components is called into question with just a touch of the hands. Small rattles and creaks when pressing elements such as the light panel or the decorative mouldings are not acceptable in an E-segment Mercedes, but it shouldn’t be in any Mercedes either.

The interior space is at a good level, with a front row with no cramping and rear seats with plenty of legroom and good width and headroom for two occupants. The centre seat, as is usual in this type of vehicle, is only suitable for emergencies. Our unit featured a large double glass roof, which provides brightness but takes away centimetres.

The boot, with a generously sized loading aperture, offers 540 litres, and as an option the rear seat backs can be folded down in a 60:40 split. This capacity, combined with the abundance of storage compartments, means that travelling in the E-Class is no problem when it comes to carrying all kinds of luggage.

Technology at the service of driving

If there is one thing the E-Class can boast about, it is its equipment options. Technology is here to stay, and the E-Class is possibly one of the most advanced vehicles on the market today. Driving assistance is covered to unimaginable limits, as the E-Class can be fitted with countless systems to improve both safety and comfort on board.

As an example, there is the Multibeam LED intelligent lighting system, consisting of front headlights with 84 individually controlled LEDs, which give an extraordinary amount of light in any situation, avoiding any dazzling thanks to their rapid operation.

The new E-Class can even be unlocked without any key, just with our smartphone, provided it has NFC technology and the corresponding control app installed. Furthermore, this app also allows us to use the Remote Parking Pilot system, with which the vehicle parks without anyone being at the controls, simply by manoeuvring the car via the app.

The safety equipment of the German saloon is very extensive. From the already typical pre-collision systems or the traffic sign recognition systems, Mercedes decides to go a step further, combining much of the driving assistance into a single system called Drive Pilot.

The Drive Pilot system is capable of controlling both the speed of the vehicle -even automatically matching it to the road limits- and the steering, keeping the vehicle centred in its lane. Activated by a button, the Drive Pilot system is the closest thing to autonomous driving you will find from the star brand, a system comparable to Tesla’s Autopilot.

The obsession with safety at Mercedes goes so far that the E-Class even features a system called Pre Safe Sound, capable of preparing the ear for the roar of an imminent collision by emitting a sound through the speakers of the audio system.

Driving dynamics: 100% Mercedes

The unit starring in our analysis features a 2.0 diesel four-cylinder engine, a completely new engine, belonging to the OM 654 family which replaces the previous 2.2-litre blocks of the OM 651 family. Our version, let us remember, is the E220d, which offers 194 hp and 400 Nm.

It is mandatorily paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter, a transmission that Mercedes calls 9G-Tronic. It is not new, since the star brand has already used it previously in models such as the CLS, but it has been tuned with several modifications such as longer gear ratios.

In the homologation cycle, the E220d surprises with an average consumption of 3.9 litres/100 km, a completely unrealistic figure, but not as far off as one might think. In real life the Mercedes can manage around 5 litres/100 km on fast roads. In fact, our unit recorded an average consumption of 6.1 litres/100 km after intensive use in the city.

A separate matter is the refinement this engine offers, which does not match what is expected from an executive saloon costing over €50,000 without options. This problem is especially noticeable when cold, where the four-cylinder vibrates and sounds too much, transmitting those “imperfections” into the cabin.

Once under way, especially at high speeds, the engine sound is completely masked by road noise, which in our unit, with 19-inch wheels and Run-Flat tyres, was too pronounced. In short, models such as an Audi A6, a Volvo S90 or a Lexus GS insulate the cabin better acoustically.

The very long gearing of the transmission is surprising, reaching over 80 km/h in 9th gear. Despite the enormous gearing, the good work of the gearbox means there is always power available to move the more than 1,700 kg of this saloon. The E220d accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 240 km/h.

Looking at the chassis, we find a relatively conventional suspension setup, with deformable parallelograms on both axles. There is no shortage of an active damping system called Agility Control, which as an option can be upgraded to the Air Body Control system, with pneumatic dampers, which is precisely the one fitted to our unit.

With it, the E-Class offers, in combination with the different driving modes, an experience that can vary from completely comfortable to notably firm, all at the touch of a button. Overall, the E-Class handles corners well, substantially improving on the dynamics of its predecessor.

Range and versions, how much does the test unit cost?

The range of the Mercedes E-Class is very wide, as could not be otherwise. Diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid engines, with four, six and even eight cylinders… our protagonist, one of the best-selling options of the brand, starts at €54,100, with no options at all.

Let’s add up: Avantgarde interior package (€1,081.45), Keyless-Go package (€1,672.48), Plus driving assistance package (€3,319.80), AMG Line exterior (€2,200.63), electric panoramic glass sunroof (€2,445.84), Premium Plus package (€10,374.38), Iridium Silver metallic paint (€1,094), black interior roof lining (€484.14), 3-zone Thermotronic climate control (€1,175.76), Air Body Control system (€2,628.18), NFC key (€725) and 12.3″ instrument display (€1,068.88).

Yes, in total, more than €25,000 in extras to reach the monumental figure of €79,941. Without doubt, a very significant amount of money which, nevertheless, provides access to one of the most advanced Mercedes models of recent times.