What is it?
Despite four years passing since its launch, the fifth-generation Mercedes E-Class still occupies a firmly competitive position as one of our executive class favourites.
There are of course now sharper, more engaging and more visually enthralling class contenders. But the E-Class's blend of unrivalled comfort and refinement have stood the test of time, and also maintained its substantial share of the motorway-plodding fleet and business markets.
But four years is an exceedingly long time on the technology front. The focus for the Audi A6 rival’s mid-life revamp, then, is a totally overhauled electrical system, which engineers told Autocar earlier this year makes the new E “more advanced than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in certain areas”.
Not only does the system allow for a more comprehensive array of driver assist functions - such as Active Speed Limit Assist, which adjusts the cruise control speed in line with traffic signs and bends in the road - it also enables 48V mild-hybrid technology across every combustion-engined variant. The system is claimed to be more capable at boosting efficiency than it was in the outgoing model.
Alongside this, there is of course some evolved styling both inside and out, boosted equipment levels and new colour and wheel options. The usual mid-life-cycle fare, then.
Join the debate
Add your comment
The old steering wheel was nicer ...
The old steering wheel was nicer ...
Is it really worth it?
I've an E500 W211 in very good condition. When I look at the latest model E I really don't see what has changed apart from technology - screens etc... most of the rest looks very similar!
It will still kill me if I don't pay attention and maybe use a little less petrol. I want FSD that only Tesla seem close to.