By Sala Masindane

There are a couple of sedans that say you’ve arrived, including the S-Class, 7 Series and the Audi A8. Then there are the ones just below those, namely the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. These often exude confidence and premium appeal without being too grown up like their older siblings. Mercedes-Benz recently launched the new E-Class and we spent some time with it to see if anything has changed.

In the metal

On the outside, the new “baby S-Class” strikes a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Up front, it features a black panel-like surface that connects the radiator grille with multiple three-pointed stars, while the rear showcases a distinctive cab-backward design.

Inside, the premium cabin features a large central display with the latest MBUX infotainment system and a three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom steering wheel with haptic feedback buttons, to name a few. There is also an optional passenger display and a camera mounted atop the dashboard for those who might need to attend a video conference on the move. This suits business users or corporate customers who have such needs.

The cabin complements the exterior, as it exudes luxury and feels genuinely posh. The large central touchscreen is impressive and relatively easy to use. There is sufficient legroom and headroom in the rear, and everyone benefits from the generous 540-litre boot space.

Performance and drive

Powering the E220d is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that puts out 145 kW and 450 Nm, paired with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine will not deliver robot-to-robot performance, but once the 450 Nm of torque is in full effect, the large saloon accelerates well. The drive is good and the E220d glides along smoothly over most surfaces. During our test, we almost matched the claimed fuel consumption of 5.0 L/100km, but still managed a respectable 5.4 L/100km, mostly in city driving.

Final word

The new Mercedes-Benz E220d remains the much-loved and impressive sedan we have known for past generations. It is still luxurious and refined. Yes, sedans may be going out of fashion, but the E220d can never be out of mind. It may be more expensive than its closest rivals, but as an all-round vehicle, it is better. Pricing starts from R1,356,167.