2021 Mercedes E-Class E200 Test Drive Review

October 29, 2021

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This revised E-Class is designed to challenge Lexus, Volvo, BMW and Audi.

This is a revised version of the popular and segment best seller Mercedes E-Class which was launched in Malaysia in June 2014. It has the current Benz signature new look up front with a rear tail that looks like a scaled down S-Class. The side view carries a sports coupe look first seen in the current CLS and this alone stands to benefit this E-Class at showroom level.

It is a good looking sedan. Yes, it has been on sale for almost 3 months now but this E-Class sits in a very competitive segment where the rivals are nudging each other for market share.

Launched in July this year, this is the Avantgarde E200 that comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and a slimmed down shape. Using the same engine, but with a 0.1 second faster acceleration time, it is the cabin that attracts every new owner’s attention.

There is the latest version of the MBUX System on two 12.3 inch displays that lights up in the day or night. You get ‘Capacitive Touch Control’ buttons on steering wheel and revised seating design for added comfort.

There is a good driving position and large, supportive seats, while space in the back is impressive. There’s plenty of storage too, with a big glove box and twin drinks holder.

It’s hard to imagine anyone could ever feel short of leg, knee and elbow room in this or any E-Class and shoulder and head room are both generous too. This relates to possibly the best passenger comfort in this segment.

Not much has changed in its drive dynamics. It is still a confident vehicle with good cabin comfort for all passengers and the driver can enjoy a little but of excitement from its turbocharged engine. Designed more for comfort and some highway cruising, it delivers very well in the city and keeps to highway cruising as intended.

Mercedes-Benz designed the E-Class to be an executive vehicle and this is where junior executives look forward to its ownership and established company executives appreciate its class act delivery and strong after sales with good used values when it is time to look at an upgrade in office mobility.

The steering is nicely weighted with enough road feel to give the driver some great feel and feedback. The spring and damper set-up on this E200 is pretty much spot on; its relatively firm through corners, providing good levels of body control and very limited roll which had us pinching ourselves to check if we were driving a more expensive Benz.

Ride quality is also good, smoothing bumps with authority and when spirited driving is needed, this saloon delivers a composed and well sorted ride. We suppose the chassis engineers borrowed a little something from the iconic AMG E63.

As for handling and road manners, there are no issues. The 18-inch wheels grip eagerly on wet or dry surfaces.

Generally, it absorbs the bumps and potholes pretty well, although undulating and uneven road surfaces, driven over at high speed, will get this E-Class responding back with some stiffness due more to its origin where such roads are almost never a question.

The 9G-Tronic transmission is a dream to use and there is hardly a hint of shift and kick down effect even when confronting a quick immediate pickup or emergency slowdown.

This revised E-Class is a comfortable sedan and after 4 days with it behind the wheel and also in the rear of the cabin, it was clear winner in its ability to offer comfort and some excitement behind the wheel.

The competitive pricing of just RM326,000.00 could have an accountant for a listed company looking for a fleet of company limousines for 2022.