In this article:
Who is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good car for?
What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like to drive?
Tech features in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Similar cars to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good car?
Yes, albeit a pricey one. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class fits in between the C-Class and S-Class. It's a highly popular model which is well-known for its vast amounts of technology. The latest models also boast some nifty Artificial Intelligence, such as augmented reality navigation.
Who is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good car for?
The E-Class is a good car for those who appreciate the finer things in life, but who haven't succumbed to the urge to buy an SUV. Those who can afford to buy an E-Class are usually slightly older and established types who earn excellent salaries, but Mercedes-Benz is trying to attract a younger crowd, and it's evident in the latest model's styling.
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good first car?
You certainly would have to be minted to drive an E-Class as your first car, but there's so much safety tech on-board, your mom/dad/spouse wouldn't have to lie awake at night worrying about crash test safety ratings and whether you will survive if you happen to get into an accident.
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good family car?
It's an excellent family car because it's so spacious and safe, if you opt for the sedan instead of the coupé or cabriolet, of course. It's also big on connectivity and boot space.
Is there a Hybrid Mercedes-Benz E-Class model?
All models feature a mild-hybrid system that aids fuel efficiency and keeps emissions to a minimum. Plug-in hybrid models were available in SA but are no longer available new. However, this might change in the not-too-distant future.
What’s it like to drive?
Reviewer's opinion
"The E200 model may look like a sports coupé, but the engine is the smallest on offer in the E-Class range. It's no race winner, but you won't be disappointed by the performance either. This 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine benefits from a turbocharger that allows it to produce 145 kW and 320 Nm torque. Mercedes-Benz says that this makes it good for a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 7.5-seconds. The top speed is 237 km/h.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 9G-Tronic gearbox with paddle shifters placed behind the wheel for manual control. One will struggle to fault this gearbox, and it remains one of the finest offerings on the market today. Shifts are unobtrusive and go unnoticed when cruising along, but select a dynamic driving mode and the shifts are purposeful and well-timed."
— Chad Lückhoff, AutoTrader
Read the full Mercdes-Benz E200 Coupe AMG review here >
Read all Mercedes-Benz E-Class reviews >
What does it look like?
Exterior
Interior
What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like inside?
If you're a fan of technology, the E-Class delivers it in spades. The two enormous screens that seem to flow into eachother almost seem overwhelming at first, but you soon get used to the system. The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system's AI assistant that can carry out your orders like Siri or your Google Assistant would. The longer you drive the E-Class, the better this assistant gets to know your usual route, people you call regularly, and many of your other daily in-car habits.
Style
You have countless customisation options and what you specify will ultimately determine how the interior will look, but one thing you can be assured of is luxury.
Tech highlights
The latest generation E-Class has an astounding amount of tech features, more than we can possibly mention, but here are a few examples of semi-autonomous technology features, according to Mercedes-Benz:
- New steering wheel generation with capacitive hands-off detection
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with route-based speed adjustment
- Active Stop-and-Go Assist
- Active Steering Assist
- Active Brake Assist; in the Driving Assistance Package now also with turning manoeuvre function
- Active Blind Spot Assist – now also with exit warning
-
Parking Package in conjunction with 360° camera: newly expanded side view and for the first time automatic parking not only in parallel and end-on parking spaces, but also on marked areas. (Please consult the Mercedes-Benz SA website for more details.)
- The E-Class brochure (from April 2021) with standard specifications and optional extras can be downloaded here, but please note that an increase in price has since taken place.
Pricing
Which is the cheapest Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The cheapest E-Class is the E200 Avantgarde at R927 680, without options.
Search the latest New and Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class models in SA>
How much does it cost?
| Mercedes-Benz E200 Avantgarde | R927 680 |
| Mercedes-Benz E220d Avantgarde | R 988 200 |
| Mercedes-Benz E200 AMG Line | R 993 980 |
| Mercedes-Benz E200 Coupe AMG Line | R 1 044 040 |
| Mercedes-Benz E220d AMG line | R 1 054 500 |
| Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe AMG Line | R 1 139 280 |
| Mercedes-Benz E200 Cabriolet AMG Line | R 1 172 640 |
| Mercedes-Benz E300 Cabriolet AMG Line | R 1 276 640 |
The Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe 4MATIC+ currently retails for R1 630 600, the E53 Cabriolet 4MATIC+ for R1 768 960, and the E63 S 4MATIC+ at R2 436 440.
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and subject to change without notice.
Comparisons
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BMW 5 Series
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