Mercedes E-Class saloon - Engines, drive & performance (2016-2023)

E-Class owners can choose from several driving modes, including Comfort, Sport and Sport+. While the sport modes do sharpen up the car’s gearbox and throttle response, the steering still feels a little inert and lifeless, so there isn’t a great deal to be gained from taking it out of comfort mode.

The E-Class isn't as sharp to drive as an XF or 5 Series, but there's still enough grip to allow for spirited cornering and it always feels safe. The E-Class is predominantly about cruising around in swift comfort, and it certainly ticks that box.

Although lighter than the previous generation, the current E-Class is still a heavy car and you can feel this in fast corners. Adjustable dampers are fitted as standard with Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes, but even the latter is not quite enough to wrestle the driver’s car crown away from the BMW 5 Series, though. Mercedes' focus on comfort can mean that the driver feels slightly detached at times.

The E 300 e is affected slightly by the extra weight of its electric motor and batteries, which lead to a slightly less nimble feeling than other models in the range. It isn't as engaging as the similarly powered BMW 530e, although we did find it rode more smoothly. Naturally, it’s whisper-quiet in electric mode, and remains muted up to motorway speeds.

You can choose the 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system on most models, and it’s mandatory on the AMG E 53 and E 63 S. It comes into its own in wintry conditions, doubling the chance of at least one of the wheels finding traction on slippery surfaces. It also offers benefits during hard cornering and acceleration, but in fine weather most drivers will be hard-pressed to notice a difference.

Mercedes E-Class diesel engines

The latest 2.0-litre diesel engine in the E 220 d and nine-speed automatic gearbox gives the E-Class exceptionally smooth manners. It produces 197bhp and can cover 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. Above this, the E 300 d also has a 2.0-litre diesel engine but with a higher power output of 261bhp. Both also get 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance in the form of a starter-generator, which offers a temporary 20bhp power boost.

All models have a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard, which changes gear fluidly and responds immediately when you summon extra acceleration. Thanks to the impressive power from all engines, it’s rare for the gearbox to drop through many gears when maximum acceleration is called for, which helps keep journeys as quiet and serene as you’d expect from a car like the E-Class.

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Hybrid engine

There are now several electrified versions of the E-Class, including the E 300 de diesel and E 300 e petrol plug-in hybrids, which both start from around £50,000; the petrol is marginally cheaper. The choice, then, will largely come down to which fuel you'd prefer. With emissions of less than 40g/km, both easily qualify for low BiK bands for company-car drivers. Despite this, neither are exempt from the London Congestion Charge because this has been altered to only allow free access for full BEVs. Our list of the best congestion charge-exempt cars showcases the best models available if you travel into the city frequently.

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With a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor, the E 300 e produces an impressive 316bhp and 700Nm of pulling power, so feels genuinely quick off the line. However, the petrol engine can sound a bit coarse if you really floor the throttle. Luckily, the E-Class is very refined at all other times.

Petrol engines

The Mercedes E 200 is the entry-level model, with a 2.0-litre petrol that produces 194bhp and pulls quite strongly thanks to its turbocharger. It also gets Mercedes’ EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance setup, which temporarily increases engine power by 13bhp. A time of 7.4 seconds to get from 0-62mph means it’s fairly quick.

The E 450 4MATIC sits in the middle of the petrol lineup, with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 362bhp. Like other models in the E-Class range, it also gets mild-hybrid assistance, which adds 22bhp in short bursts. Despite its mid-range position, it offers performance that’s not far behind the AMG E 53, taking only five seconds to get from 0-62mph.

In the AMG E 53 Mercedes’ ‘EQ boost’ mild-hybrid technology has been employed to improve performance rather than cut costs. The turbocharged straight-six petrol already has 429bhp and the hybrid system adds 22bhp for brief periods. Four-wheel drive helps it get from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds – not bad for a big saloon car.

It’s hard to believe there’s a faster E-Class than the AMG E 53, but that’s emphatically the case. In fact the AMG E 63 S, fitted with 4MATIC four-wheel drive, can get from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds. We’ve reviewed this super saloon separately.