2013 Mercedes E-Class E 200, E 250 CDI and E 200 Estate Review
2013 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS REVIEW
What’s hot: Premium luxury with serene on-road balance... and a price cut
What’s not: E 200 petrol engine could do with a few more ergs
X-Factor: One among the “finer things in life”; the elegant E-Class defines the premium saloon sector
Vehicle style: Large Luxury Saloon
Price: E 200 Saloon $79,900; E 250 CDI $98,900; E 200 Estate $86,900
Engine/trans: E 200 135kW/300Nm 2.0 turbo petrol; E 250 CDI 125kW/400Nm 2.1 turbo diesel | seven-spd 7G-Tronic Plus
Fuel economy listed: E 200 6.4 l/100km; E 250 CDI 4.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
As smooth and comfortable as a velvet slipper - that’s the elegant new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. More to the point, MB Australia has given the range a pricing haircut.
With an entry-point at $80k for the E 200, it’s now not such a step for buyers who previously may have aspired to an up-spec 3 Series or Audi A4.
The three models we drove, the E 200, E 250 CDI and E 200 Estate, are exceptional cars.
Quiet, comfortable and supremely balanced on road – if not especially powerful – these are cars for buyers who place a premium on “the finer things”.
Certainly, each in the range looks sharp. Each sits on stylish alloys, twin pipes at the rear, a sleeker profile to the front guards and proud raised grille with prominent star – it’s a better looking beast this new E-Class.
Of course, even with the price drop, premium transport like the E-Class is not for everyone (or we’d all have one in the garage).
But is it good buying? No argument.
While it might be the preserve of the few, the E-Class sets the standard by which others are judged for craftsmanship, engineering and that solid feel of uncompromised quality.
We put the E 200, E 250 CDI (diesel) and E 200 Estate through their paces on a sodden day of soaking rain (you’ll need to excuse the water on the camera lens).
The slippery roads failed to ruffle the effortless grip of these big comfortable saloons, nor dampened the enjoyment at the wheel.
2013_mercedes_benz_e_class_review_12