With over 13 million sold over its 60 year history, the Mercedes Benz E-Class has been the car on which the marque's stable has built its reputation. And with this new 2013 version, the German manufacturer has brought the E-Class firmly into the 21st century. Gone are the oval retro headlamps to be replaced by a more aggressive, glaring nose. Along the flanks there are new sleek lines to the bodywork to give a more athletic appearance on the road. The new shape hasn't revolutionised the E-Class, it's still very much the car that fans have come to know and love, but rather it is an evolution that keeps the flagship saloon moving forward.
Driving Performance
For the typical E-Class driver, out and out performance is unlikely to be the prime reason for purchase, but those spending their hard-earned £32,400 (starting price) will be happy to hear that handling is responsive and it is a car that is a pleasure to drive on long trips. With all the essential features such as driver and passenger airbags, climate control, a smooth automatic gearbox with tiptronic function and 17-inch alloys as standard it's easy to see why many business professionals will be making the E-Class their vehicle of choice. If anybody needed convincing that Mercedes are still the makers of world-class cars, then they surely need look no further.
Perhaps a sign of their belief in getting the E-Class right can be seen in the fact that it is the first of the range to receive new optional collision and parking sensor technology. Traditionally manufacturers add the bells and whistles to their most expensive cars first before trickling gadgets down through the range, but in this instance the 2013 E-Class will be rolling off the production line with this equipment well before the S-Class gets the same treatment. The 360-degree camera and radar systems are programmed to detect the speed and trajectory of hazards on the road, combining with a sharp collision braking system that makes this one of the safest cars on the market. And the addition of infra-red sensors give the same peace of mind in foggy conditions.
Interior
Inside, the trim has seen a few well-placed tweaks. On the white E200 model we road tested, the black artico leather with stylish and ergonomically-designed seats gave that reassuring sense of luxury one has come to associate with Mercedes. And turning on the engine reveals that the same attention to detail has been paid under the bonnet. A new engine offers an almost unparalleled level of refinement and efficiency at this level and, although there are much bigger engines to be had in the range than the 2 litre model we tested, the fuel economy is good across the board.
It is no doubt a big car. At almost 16 feet long and over 6 feet wide it has real presence on the road, but this adds to the sense of comfort and stability on the roads. It's size offers more than ample space for 5 adults to travel, while the spacious boot will cater for all of a family's luggage needs.
If we had to pick fault in the E-Class it would be that despite excellent reliability, resale value tends to drop significantly compared to other models. For buyers who prefer to trade in their vehicles every 2 to 3 years it can't help but sting the pocket when shipping on a Mercedes saloon. But the good news for those who prefer to keep their pride and joy for significantly longer, with a Mercedes you can be confident that it will still be going strong well beyond a few years.
Verdict
This is a first class car with top of the line interiors and extremely reliable technology. With rapid innovation coming from BMW and Audi, the Mercedes brand needs to keep doing what it does best; make great cars.
