Vehicle details
The fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon, known to enthusiasts as the Mercedes E-Class W212, came as a bit of shock when first revealed. The angular headlights were a big departure from the rounded model that came before, but many buyers quickly came to love this more athletic elegance and were soon won over by its impressive blend of luxury and refinement, regardless. 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). An optional ski-bag luggage accessory allowiMercedes-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
- ABS with Brake Assist
- Active bonnet
- Adaptive brake system
- Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags
- Adjustable rear head restraints
- Alarm system/interior protection/immobiliser
- Artico man-made leather upholstery
- Attention assist
- Auto Mercedes-Benz child seat recognition sensor
- Auxiliary input socket in glovebox
- Bag hook in luggage compartment
- Body coloured bumpers
- Body coloured door handles
- Boot release from drivers seat
- Bottle holders
- Comfort suspension
- Diesel particulate filter
- Door mirror integrated indicators
- Door sill panels with stainless steel inlays
- Drivers knee airbag
- Electric front/rear windows with one touch/auto up/down
- Electric heated + adjustable door mirrors
- ESP with ASR
- External temperature gauge
- Front and rear curtain airbags
- Front and rear door pockets
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Front centre armrest with storage compartment
- Front cupholder
- Front fog lights
- Front head restraints
- Front seat back map pockets
- Front side airbags
- Grey radiator grille
- Heated