Vehicle details
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class safety portfolio received the maximum five star safety rating from Euro NCAP at the time and along with everything you would in expect in a saloon at this price, such as electronic stability control, there are some additional features that set it apart. Seven airbags are standard while up to nine could be selected when ordering. Four seatbelt pre-tensioners, Pre-Safe (which anticipates if a crash is likely and primes other safety features), Attention Assist (which monitors the driver's behaviour for potential drowsiness at the wheel) and Active Bonnet (which pops up to reduce the risk of head injury for pedestrians) are all standard. Other safety features available include Adaptive Highbeam Assist (standard on Avantgarde and Sport models), Night View Assist and a lane departure warning system. Luggage capacity of 540 litres is about as generous as anyone could when this E-Class was new. There are reasonable storage compartments in the cabin and for cars fitted with the seven-speed automatic gearbox, extra storage in the centre console (these come with a steering column gear selector rather than a gearstick). Mercedes-Benz was deliberately bold with the exterior styling of the W212 E-Class, insisting on a double-headlamp each side as in the previous two generations of the car. Other contemporary Mercedes-Benz saloons, the C-Class and S-Class seem much softer in comparison, but the E-Class certainly looks distinctive. The instrument layout is very similar to the previous model, but some of the other cabin design echoes the larger S-Class. An aluminium controller similar to BMW's iDrive system is used to access many of the controls, as well as special 'hot-key' buttons allowing fast access to frequently used functions. Aluminium trim is fitted to SE models so there are no base models with cheap-looking interior parts. Mercedes-Benz E-Class comfort is pretty impressive. SE models come with Artico artificial leather and the firm has added an extra layer of padding under the seat cover. Electronic climate control is standard, although an upgrade to a more sophisticated system, which includes separate controls for rear passengers, could be chosen at extra cost. Various upgrades for the seats could also be chosen when ordering (partial electric adjustment for the front seats is standard), including Active Multi-Contour for front-seat occupants, with inflatable air chambers and a massage function.
Vehicle features
- 1/3 to 2/3 split folding rear seats
- 3 spoke AMG steering wheel in Nappa leather
- ABS + BAS
- Adaptive brake system
- Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags
- Agility control sports suspension with selective damping system
- Alarm system/interior protection/immobiliser
- AMG bodystyling
- AMG floormats
- Attention assist
- Automatic rain sensing wipers
- Auxiliary input socket in glovebox
- Black roof lining
- Body coloured bumpers
- Body coloured door handles and locks
- Centre armrest and door handle illumination
- Child seat recognition sensor
- Chrome window highlights
- Diesel particulate filter
- Door sill panels with stainless steel inlays
- Drivers knee airbag
- Easy entry seats
- Electric front/rear windows with one touch/auto up/down
- Electric heated + adjustable door mirrors
- ESP with ASR
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Front centre armrest with storage compartment
- Front door pockets
- Front footwell lights
- Front head restraints
- Front seat back map pockets
- Front side airbags
- Heated front seats
- Heated windsc