2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 4MATIC Very first Review
The 10th generation of Mercedes-Benz’s venerable E-Class comes to market with fresh styling, a nicely upgraded interior, a fuel-efficient engine and a boatload of high-tech features. It’s epic that a model that has been around since one thousand nine hundred forty seven was the segment sales leader in 2015, outselling such mainstays as BMW five Series and Audi A6. As with past E-Class models, Mercedes-Benz hasn’t shied away from technology, and this generation of the luxury sedan is the most forward-thinking Mercedes yet.
The previous generation E-Class suggested four engines: a 4-cylinder diesel, Three.5-liter gas V6, twin-turbo V6 and AMG twin-turbo V8. So far, Mercedes has announced three for the 2017: a Two.0-liter, 241-horsepower turbo-4 (in the E300), a 329-horsepower twin-turbo V6 (in the E400 wagon) and a 396-horsepower AMG twin-turbo V6 (in the E43). Our test drives over two days focused on the E300 4MATIC, backed by a 9-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is analogous to the previous Three.5-liter V6/7-speed automatic, which put out three hundred two horsepower and two hundred seventy three lb-ft of torque and delivered fuel economy ratings of twenty mpg city, twenty nine mpg on the highway in rear drive. For the fresh engine in the 2017, horsepower is lower (by 61) and torque is the same, but the peak for both is now at lower rpm. Mercedes anticipates that EPA ratings for the two thousand seventeen E300 should demonstrate an improvement of up to twenty percent thanks to the smaller, more-efficient engine, and the lighter, stronger aluminum-intensive figure.
Slew of power
Those who are skeptical when they read that the E-Class is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder need not worry. Mercedes’ 0-60 times display an improvement over the V6, which confirms what we felt on the drive. The E-Class is quick off the line, and at highway speeds has slew of power in reserve for passing. The fresh transmission, which is managed via Mercedes’ familiar slender column-mounted stalk, offers slick, well-timed shifts. The stop/begin system is smoother than in any other Mercedes we’ve driven. The only things you lose with the powertrain switch are the V6’s sound and some refinement.
Sedans in this segment walk the line inbetween cornering spectacle and rail convenience. The E-Class does an admirable job of achieving both. It doesn’t have the tautness of the BMW five Series, instead taking a more middle-of-the-road treatment. The rail is compliant but not numb, and when it comes to suspension tuning, the driver can choose from several settings in the standard Dynamic system. Convenience felt too soft, and Sport + was good joy on curving mountain roads. But Goldilocks would’ve approved of the Sport setting. When it came to throttle, steering, rail and transmission response, it was just right.
The E300’s cabin uses high-quality materials in pleasing color schemes. Ours mixed brown leather on the center console, black leather seats and black lacquer on the dash with wood lines. The supportive buckets were effortless to adjust through the controls on the door panel, and we sampled the seat massagers and heaters on our extended drive through Northern California. There was a perfume via the car that emanated from a device in the glove box; everyone has different tastes, so it’s nice that you can interchange it out or liquidate its glass vial entirely. The optional Burmester audio system suggested excellent sound quality in the pleasurably quiet cabin. The only unwanted sound we noted was some tire noise.
Fresh Levels of Technology
Another clear switch in the interior is the abundance of fresh technology. Our Sport model came with the optional 12.3-inch high-definition display, which has a reconfigurable virtual gauge cluster. The acute resolution and plane layout made it very effortless to read with a quick glance. A traditional gauge cluster comes as standard equipment. Also effortless to see is the 12.3-inch high-def COMAND screen, which served us well when using the navigation system and the multiple-angle cameras, which included a view demonstrating the front wheels while you park. Many of the systems are noticeably lighter to navigate and control, thanks to the fresh touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. They use an intuitive swipe and click maneuverability, much like with a smartphone, to toggle inbetween navigation, audio, phone and more. Another cool fresh feature is the Parking Pilot. Once you activate the system, you’ll see a display on the screen that shows the car is looking for a space. After it finds it, it’ll give you the choice of pulling in or backing in — and the car takes care of the rest. We got a little jumpy when it got close to one of the two cars we were backing in inbetween, but it will pull forward and adjust the angle as needed. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and wireless phone charging is also available.
There are numerous safety features in the E-Class, but the real headline grabbers are driver aids that could be considered steps toward autonomous operation. The car has three hundred sixty degrees of radar and 2D and 3D camera coverage, which come into play with adaptive cruise control (Distance Pilot Distronic). There’s active emergency stop assist, active brake assist with a cross-traffic monitor, a speed limit pilot (when activated, it’ll make sure you don’t speed), and a indeed cool feature that will switch lanes for you if you have your turn signal on — just be sure to shut the signal off once you’re in the next lane. Active Lane Keeping Assist will do just what the name suggests, even around forms, but the system can get confused by an off-ramp that splits off from the slow lane. These are not features that will permit you to take a nap while the car shuttles you through rush-hour traffic; rather, these innovations are safeguards against dissipated driving, severing as a welcome safety net.
Pricing and Availability
When the E300 goes on sale in late July, it will be suggested in Luxury and Sport trims. Pricing will begin at $52,175 including destination, and another $Two,500 will get you 4MATIC all-wheel drive. At least one AMG variant will go after, as will an E-Class wagon. And if our very first impression the standard engine is any indication, E-Class buyers are in for a real treat.