Review of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Executive

If you're looking for an executive saloon to support a hectic, high mileage lifestyle, then there are plenty of options at just under £30,000. Chances are however, that you or your company accountant will have narrowed the choice down to just three: BMW's 5 Series, Audi's A6 and the car we're looking at here, Mercedes' E-Class.

Given the budget and the business lifestyle, you'll be wanting the entry-level diesel versions of these three, namely BMW's 520d, Audi's A6 TDI TDV SE and Mercedes' E220 CDI Classic. When it comes to equipment, all have one thing in common: you need to spend a significant amount of extra money to get the features you'd really like.

Business buyers have got pretty fed up with this, which is why when Mercedes consulted some of them to find out how they might shift a few more E220 CDI models, the answers were pretty much based around the need to spec it up to a higher level than that akin to a Bulgarian thrift store. The result is the E-Class Executive model we're looking at here.

This car comes as a saloon costing £28,515, that's £677 less than the standard E220 CDI Classic on which it's based. Despite this, based on their business survey feedback, Mercedes have shoe-horned in £2,543-worth of extra equipment.

So where to start? Well, when you're trying to keep a business deal on the boil and you've a long motorway drive to face, you don't want to have to bother with 'phone earpieces and wires everywhere. Hence the telephone pre-wiring installed into this model which means that with the addition of a suitable cradle, a mobile can be controlled using the ergonomic multi-function steering wheel. There's also a 6-disc CD changer with MP3 compatibility which should prove invaluable on long motorway journeys.

You'll want to stand out in the carpark of course, so there's a choice of three special colours - Iridium Silver, Obsidian black or limited edition Palladium silver (who thinks up these names?). There are also 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels unique to this car. Moving inside, there are chromed door sills with 'Mercedes-Benz' lettering to remind you that you've 'made it' at the end of a long day battling with antagonistic clients. And the seats are trimmed in black Artico. No, I didn't know what that was either but all that's really important is that it's a material so like leather that the difference isn't worth talking about.

"Attention to design detail has at last has been matched by an attention to what the British business buyer is looking for.."

You'd also be disappointed to do without an adjustable driver's lumbar support for your seat (essential to avoid costly osteopath appointment after long cross-country motorway dashes) and electric seat adjustment to go along with two-zone climate control.

Otherwise, it's the normal E220 CDI recipe. Under the bonnet sits a 2.2-litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine developing 170bhp at 3,800rpm and a useful 400Nm of torque at just 2,000rpm. At the pumps, owners should return 44.8mpg on the combined cycle (or 42.2mpg in the automatic version it's more likely that they'll be driving). The E220 CDI will sprint to 60mph in 8.4 seconds and keep going until 141mph. It'll also chug out just 167g/km of carbon dioxide, less than a Focus 1.8 Zetec.

Key features of this engine include balancer shafts for added refinement, improved piston and cylinder head cooling for a reduced compression ratio and improved turbocharger responsiveness at low engine speeds. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, while a five-speed automatic gearbox with 'Tipfunction' (to enable you to flip up and down the 'box yourself) and Speedtronic cruise control is available at a premium of around £1,500.

Although Mercedes have tried to push the design envelope with low volume image building models at the fringes of their model range, when it comes to their core models - C, E and S class, the Stuttgart maker has got it taped and the opposition licked. The E-Class still represents the star around which the entire Mercedes-Benz firmament revolves, a model range which has shifted nearly a quarter of a million units worldwide. The E220 CDI is a supporting player, a foot soldier in the E Class success story but no less impressive for that.

The interior styling is redolent of the previous generation S-Class. The fascia bulges outwards as if pumped to 100psi, our test car featuring over 70 assorted knobs, buttons, switches and dials. Open the glove box to access the instruction manual if you want to know what does what or alternatively use it to defend your vehicle against would-be carjackers. It's a weighty tome. It's also indicative of the thorough approach Mercedes have taken.

Handling and steering have been improved in this generation E-Class model and the adaptive braking system has been borrowed from the larger S-Class. This hydraulic dual-circuit braking set-up provides better safety and comfort features. Safety is a standout E-Class feature and the latest models feature the PRE-SAFE system which primes the seatbelt and airbag if it thinks the car is about to be involved in a collision. The NECK-PRO head restraints move forward within milliseconds of a rear shunt, protecting the driver and front passenger from whiplash injuries. Flashing brake lights are also featured, illuminating during particularly heavy braking.

It all represents a level of attention to detail which at last has been matched, in the E-Class Executive at least, by an attention to what the British business buyer is looking for. Other Mercedes models would benefit from a similar approach.

TOP 5 E CLASS DEALS

The results below show the top E CLASS deals on buyacar

Mercedes Benz E Class E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 2dr Tip Auto Diesel Cabriolet
Price £34,273 Read E Class Reviews	Save £5,002
Mercedes Benz E Class E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 2dr [Start Stop] Diesel Coupe
Price £29,857 Read E Class Reviews	Save £4,513
Mercedes Benz E Class E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY SE 2dr Tip Auto Diesel Cabriolet
Price £34,298 Read E Class Reviews	Save £2,927
Mercedes Benz E Class E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 5dr Tip Auto [7] Diesel Estate
Price £32,654 Read E Class Reviews	Save £4,956
Mercedes Benz E Class E200 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 2dr Tip Auto Cabriolet
Price £33,695 Read E Class Reviews	Save £4,935
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