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The E-Class has long been Mercedes-Benz's most important model in India, ever since the brand set foot on our shores with the W124. Since the launch of the long-wheelbase (LWB) V213 in 2017, it has consistently been the best-selling luxury car in the country. Mercedes expects the new V214 to continue that streak. However, this time, getting it right is even more crucial, as it faces direct competition on equal footing. BMW has also discontinued the standard wheelbase, offering the new 5 Series exclusively in LWB format. India is now the only market where both these cars arrive as right-hand-drive LWB versions. We drove the E200 petrol variant to discover what the 11th generation E-Class brings to the table.
On the outside, the new E-Class is a subtle evolution of its predecessor, featuring some key refinements. The wheelbase has been extended by 15mm, making the car 14mm longer overall. The front grille now sports the signature chrome star pattern seen on other new Mercedes models, framed by a glossy black surround connecting seamlessly to the headlights. The headlights feature a new, sleek daytime running light (DRL) strip that resembles a single eyebrow. On the side, flush door handles extend outward when the car is unlocked, adding a touch of modernity. At the rear, the tail lamps now feature a 3D star motif—just in case anyone forgets it’s a Mercedes.
Mercedes hasn’t meddled too much with the winning design formula, and the car retains its elegant, opulent stance. With its added length and thoughtful touches, the new E-Class looks even more refined and sophisticated.
Step inside, and you’ll notice significant upgrades, most notably the MBUX Superscreen. Although it resembles the Hyperscreen seen on the EQE, the key difference in the E-Class is the separate standing 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The centre console houses a 14.4-inch touchscreen, while the front passenger enjoys a dedicated 12.3-inch display. The steering wheel, with its three-spoke design and glossy black inserts, exudes understated elegance.
The dashboard also adopts the seamless design language from the EQE, with air vents that run the entire width of the cabin. The car we tested featured black upholstery, with a Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel for added luxury. Dual sunroofs, controlled from both front and rear seats, remain a highlight. While the rear windows come with electric sunblinds, the quarter-panel blinds are manual, requiring some awkward manoeuvring. This minor quirk aside, the cabin offers a perfect blend of luxury and advanced technology, creating a space that feels both indulgent and futuristic.
Given that most E-Class owners are likely to spend their time in the back seat, let’s begin there. The left rear seat, or “boss seat,” offers controls for the sunroof, sunblinds (including the rear windscreen blind), and the front passenger seat. The rear seats recline between 26 and 36 degrees, with an extendable seat base providing 40mm of additional thigh support. While the rear now features a wireless charging pad, it no longer offers the touchpad controller.
One notable omission is the absence of Burmester’s 4D “exciters” in the rear seats; these vibrate with the bass for an immersive audio experience but are only available in the front seats. Personally, I found the exciters a bit distracting, especially while driving—they felt like they were trying too hard to enhance the music. It can be switched off and the 17-speaker Burmester system, with its 730W output, delivers superb sound quality even without the added vibrations.
Up front, the updated MBUX interface is intuitive, and the larger display makes navigating the system more convenient. However, like many modern cars, it suffers from a lack of physical buttons—even adjusting the air-conditioning requires delving into on-screen menus. The capacitive steering wheel controls for volume and cruise control also felt inconsistent, leaving me relying on the screen for most adjustments.
A quirky addition is the selfie and video camera on the front dash. When stationary, the driver and front passenger can make video calls or take photos and videos, which can be saved onto a USB drive. While this feature may appeal to Gen Z, I still wonder why one wouldn’t simply use their phone. The E-Class also offers 64-colour ambient lighting and four-zone climate control, with sensors to monitor humidity and maintain concentration levels for the driver.
The E-Class has long set the standard for ride quality in this segment and it continues with comfort suspension featuring selective damping. Mercedes claims this setup balances ride comfort and high-speed stability, with the damping system adapting to road conditions.
Ride comfort, like in the past, is excellent — so much so that after a long night the editor strapped into the back seat of the E-Class in Mumbai and only woke up three hours later at our office in Pune. Job done, let’s move on. Except there’s now competition on this front. Compared to the new 5 Series, the E-Class filters through slightly more of the road imperfections. Dare I say it—the E-Class may no longer be the undisputed leader in ride comfort. A direct comparison with the 5 Series, scheduled soon, will provide more clarity.
That said, the rear seats remain incredibly comfortable—soft, supportive, and perfect for long journeys. In fact, every passenger who rode in the back during our test drive, drifted off to sleep. Even the driver sent along with the car couldn’t resist a nap when off-duty. That says everything you need to know about the E-Class’s comfort.
At high speeds on smooth roads, the E-Class is stable, but its considerable length is noticeable. On rougher surfaces, however, the body control could be better and you experience a bit of float and wallow as the suspension struggles to keep up with changing conditions. This is especially noticeable at speeds above 60kmph, where the selective damping seems to react a fraction too late. That said the E-Class never claimed to be a sporty saloon and driven at eight-tenths this is a wonderfully relaxing drive.
The E200 we tested is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 201bhp and 320Nm of torque. Paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox, it also features a 48V mild-hybrid system that provides an additional 23bhp and 205Nm for brief overboosts. This system is integrated with the starter-alternator, which means the engine starts quietly with a soft whirr rather than a conventional ignition chug-chug.
The E200 is best enjoyed with a relaxed driving style. The engine is refined, and vibrations are imperceptible in the cabin. The light steering makes manoeuvring easy, although at higher speeds, you do feel the car’s size and weight. Driving through winding roads, such as the ghat sections, requires some adjustment due to the car’s length and steering response. Hard acceleration isn’t its forte—the throttle takes a moment to respond, and the engine growls noticeably (and enthusiastically) when power is finally delivered.
Four driving modes—Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual—allow you to tailor the car’s behaviour. For most owners, Comfort mode will likely be the default setting, offering the best blend of refinement and performance.
The E200 is priced at ₹78.5 lakh, while the E220d costs ₹81.5 lakh. To put it into perspective this is ₹2-3 lakh more than the outgoing versions which represents great value, especially considering the recent trend for massive price jump with every new generation. Plus Mercedes-Benz knows the E-Class customer better than anybody else and have kitted out the new E-Class accordingly. With the focus on comfort and the back seat, along with an upgraded equipment list and the cache of the brand, it will take a brave man or woman to bet against the new E not only retaining but even increasing its market share.
Enthusiasts also have another surprise in the form of the E450 4Matic that will hit hit Indian roads by November of this year. Featuring a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine it will hit 0-100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds – only a few years ago that was sports car territory . Priced at ₹92.5 lakh, it will add a performance edge to the E-Class lineup.
As for rivals there is only one and that is the BMW 5 Series which is also available only in the LWB variant, priced at ₹72.9 lakh. Although it lacks some of Mercedes' advanced tech, it offers a more competitive price point. A proper head-to-head comparison will follow soon, but one thing is clear — the executive sedan segment just got a lot more exciting and the battle for rear-seat comfort supremacy is well and truly underway. We can’t wait to see how it plays out.
