Believe it or not, this current Mercedes E-Class is looking to be as good as a Toyota. Mercedes aren't the only ones. At a number of recent press launches, various car manufacturers were aiming at the Japanese giant. Why? Mercedes used to be synonymous with peerless quality but these days when it comes to reducing warranty claims, Toyota is king. Mercedes is looking to change that and the E-class is the car that does more than any to achieve that goal.

Most won't realise that this car has been changed in recent times. They'll see the familiar shape and those who get inside will need to be very familiar with the E-Class to spot the revised steering wheel and climate control panel. Otherwise it looks very similar to the E-Class we know so well. Under the skin is where most of the changes have been made and a huge proportion of the parts have been altered in the name of improved reliability. Prices start at £28,150.

The post-2002 E-class was always a reasonably reliable car but that's not good enough for Mercedes. They wanted terms like peerless bandied about when E-Class reliability was on the agenda and set about changing half the car's 4,000 or so parts in this quest. On the outside there's precious little to advertise the car's step-change in quality. True Merc anoraks may spot the front bumper, v-shaped grille and revised headlights but that's about it. The headlights offer true next-generation technology and feature refinements that seem obvious now but which no other car maker has really thought about this deeply.

"E-Class quality has to be top notch"

Available as an option, the 'Intelligent Light System' features a five discrete modes. 'Country mode', for example, provides brighter, further illumination of the offside verge than normal low-beam. This increases visibility by around ten metres, crucial for spotting cyclists or pedestrians on narrow lanes. The motorway mode can be engaged above 56mph and provides an even cone of light that extends out to 120 metres. In the centre of this cone, drivers can see around 50 metres further. The 'Active Light System' has been improved too, offering an improved ability to see round corners. Enhanced fog lamps also improve visibility while reducing glare from fog.

Pop the bonnet of this revised E-class and chances are you'll be looking at some unfamiliar powerplants. Over 90 components in the entry-level E220CDI diesel engine have been replaced with improved parts, improving driveability and durability. This unit is also now substantially more powerful, offering 170bhp - which should make you question the need for stumping up over £3,500 more for the 190bhp E280 CDI variant. The biggest changes are, however, on the near horizon. Very soon, Mercedes will introduce BLUETEC technology which will further reduce nitrogen oxides emissions to make the E320 CDI model the world's cleanest diesel.

The petrol engine choice has also come in for a refettle. Again, the entry-level engine has been boosted, this time by 12.5 per cent, the E200 Kompressor now good for a healthy 184bhp. At the other end of the range, there's a 5.5-litre eight-cylinder unit with 26 per cent more go than the old V8. This latest E500 model will accelerate to 60mph in 5 seconds flat, 0.7 seconds quicker than the old E500. For those who see 388bhp as somewhat weedy, there's a range-topping E63 AMG variant that churns out no less than 514bhp and 630Nm of torque. The most powerful E-Class of all time, the E63 AMG even manages to trump BMW's mighty V10 M5 in the power stakes.

There have been a multitude of detail changes aimed at sharpening up the E-Class' act. Handling and steering have been improved and the adaptive braking system has been borrowed from the S-Class. This hydraulic dual-circuit braking system 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.

The interior styling is redolent of the previous generation S-Class. The fascia bulges outwards as if pumped to 100psi, the E320 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. Consider the suspension. Buyers who choose the Classic and Elegance trim levels get a soft riding setup whilst those that fork out for Avantgarde get 15mm closer to terra firma and a stiffer ride. Go for the optional Sport pack and it gets yet more rigid whilst Airmatic suspension is an option on all models bar the E500 and offers a similar pneumatic system to the S-Class.

The E-class also still offers an estate variant if you need a little extra room. Its sleek styling disguises impressive practicality that runs to a 90-litre underfloor storage compartment. Total carrying capacity with all seats in place is 650 litres, whilst the payload is a useful 575kg.

Immensely reassuring and now with the engineering to back up the premium reputation, the E-Class will continue to be the rock upon which the Mercedes range is founded. Long may that continue.

TOP 5 E CLASS DEALS

The results below show the top E CLASS deals on buyacar

	Mercedes-benz E Class E320 CDI Sport 4dr Tip Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £585	Saving £8,468	Price £30,627
	Mercedes-benz E Class E220 CDI Avantgarde 4dr Tip Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £485	Saving £7,671	Price £25,949
	Mercedes-benz E Class E320 CDI Sport 5dr Tip Auto Estate
	ETR	Mthly £616	Saving £8,684	Price £32,211
	Mercedes-benz E Class E220 CDI Elegance 4dr Tip Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £474	Saving £7,611	Price £25,509
	Mercedes-benz E Class E320 CDI Elegance 4dr Tip Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £556	Saving £8,292	Price £29,333

typical 11.38% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000