We recently spent some time with the luxurious Mercedes-Benz E220d, which is the kind of car that the Three-Pointed Star built its reputation on decades ago.  

Earlier this year Mercedes-Benz SA introduced the latest version of its ‘mid-size’ E-class saloon. This segment, which once played a major role for the brand, has been overshadowed by SUV counterparts of late. As a result, most automakers don’t offer a competitor in the segment. However, the likes of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class soldier on. It was the latter that we had on loan for a review recently. More specifically we had a Mercedes-Benz E220d in our care.

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Fresh Look

The newest E-class is a handsome car. A new visage, including newly design headlamps and a dark central air intake, bring it closer in appearance to models from Mercedes’ electrified EQ range. Importantly, it also differentiates the middle child from its smaller and larger siblings, the C- and S-class, respectively. The new look up front is complemented by redesigned taillamps, which feature a three-pointed star motif. The test unit was also fitted with snazzy alloys and a flush-fitting motorised door handles. Were it not for the bright red metallic colour of our test unit, we suspect the E would not have generated many glances. We figure that is how most owners would prefer it

You can read about the history of the C-Class AMG by clicking these links: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

Tech-laden Cabin

The exterior is subdued but the interior most certainly isn’t. The E-class features just about every bit of technology that the company has to offer right now. There are two massive digital screens on the facia. One ahead of the driver and another in the centre of the dashboard. Our test unit also has a third, optional, item ahead of the front passenger. This auxiliary screen allows front occupants to enjoy multimedia content, if they wish. Although we did not find use for it during our loan period. Our usual front seat passenger feels queasy if not looking at the road ahead.

Other highlights of the cabin include a panoramic roof, soft leather-covered chairs with a full range of adjustment, multi-zone climate control and voice control for various systems within the infotainment interface. Although, the “hey Mercedes” command needed to activate the system is not conducive to having friends in the car chatting about Formula One… There is even a dash-mounted camera that faces into the cabin. This is supposed to allow the front passengers to continue with online meetings while driving. It seems, now, there is no escape from the office. There are also many passive and active safety systems at play mostly operating unobtrusively.

The test unit was also fitted with a booming good Burmester audio system. The 17-speaker set-up has plenty of punch and even has transducers within the seats (much like a 4Dx cinema) to deliver bass notes directly into ones back. The ‘night-club’ theme is continued with ambient lighting that pulses along to the music. We can’t imagine that there is much uptake for these options from your typical E-Class buyer, but we could well be wrong.

Space Aplenty

The W214 E-class is nearly five metres long. A fact that was felt by some of the plants in our garden as we attempted to squeeze it into our usual parking spot. The upside, of course, is that there is plenty of space in the cabin. The wheelbase is almost three metres, which means there is legroom for four adults, perhaps five, in total comfort. The three-box design means there is a proper boot. A cavernous 540 litres of volume is on offer should there ever be luggage for a full house of passengers heading on holiday.

Fuel Sipper

The current E-class local range consists of a petrol powered E200 and the car we drove, the diesel-fed E220d. The oil-burner is a 2,0-litre unit that produces 145 kW and 440 N.m of torque. The ICE is supplemented by a small electric motor that adds shove while the turbocharger is still building boost. The engine is a smooth unit that delivers a nice, usable spread of power. It is, for the most part, quiet. However, stay away from the upper reaches of the rev-range should you wish to keep it unheard.

A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The transmission can, on occasion, be caught napping. However, should you wish to make haste eg when overtaking, there are paddles on the steering wheel to take charge of shifting duties. We did use them, but only a few times during our review period. The 440 N.m of torque and auto transmission are well matched. As a result, the Mercedes-Benz E220d makes good on the company’s claimed fuel consumption figure, which is quite unheard of. In fact, on a 200-odd km weekend journey the on-board computer dipped below the 5,0L/100 km mark. In the process it showed a total range of over 1 250 km.

On the Move

The E220d on loan is fitted with 20-inch multi-spoke alloys. These dual-tone items looked great, but had a slight adverse effect on ride quality over smaller road imperfections. The low side wall letting sharper road imperfections be felt in the cabin. However, on the open road the loping gait of the E-Class was a return to form for a car-maker that once prided itself on luxury saloons. The E220d glides over larger bumps and undulating road surfaces. It isn’t as sporting as, say, a 5 Series, but it really needn’t be. With the diesel engine ticking away at barely over idle and the lush ride, we imagine it’d be easy to drive across SA in a day in an E220d.

One piece of tech worth mentioning is the rear-wheel steering. This active system turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speeds. As a result the wheelbase is effectively shortened, which means the five-metre long saloon pivots out of parking bays and tight spots like a much smaller hatchback. The same system turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts at higher speeds. This lends an air of surefootedness to the car’s high-speed behaviour.

Summary

Mention the name Mercedes-Benz and most people are likely to think of a solid, stately sedan. In the same way most people think of rally cars when you mention the word Subaru. In reality, the Japanese brand has not raced in that arena for over twenty years. Perceptions formed long ago are hard to break in the minds of the public. Mercedes’ reputation was built on a long line of successful, reliable sedans that stretches back over 50 years. That’s a pretty handy legacy to lean on.

The latest-generation E-Class, especially in E220d guise is a worthy successor to that long-established lineage that includes staples such as the W123 and W124. The W214 has the hallmarks that made the brand synonymous with comfort and luxury. Of course, it has a great deal of tech, too, as is required in the modern-day automotive arena. As good as it is, the market has moved on somewhat, as witnessed by a full range of SUVs, just from Mercedes, that starts with the GLA and ends with the G-Wagen. This draws the rather unfortunate question: does anybody really want a sedan any more, even one as good as the E220d?

Model: Mercedes-Benz E220d
Price: R1 332 037 (base price)
Engine: 2,0-litre inline four, turbodiesel
Transmission: nine-speed automatic, RWD
Max power:  145 kW
Max torque: 440 N.m
Top speed: 238 km/h
0-100 km/h: 7,6 sec
Fuel consumption: 5,5 L/100 km (4,9 as reviewed)