Is the Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI a Good Car?

When considering an executive saloon, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class often springs to mind, and for good reason. For decades, it has symbolised a blend of luxury, comfort, and engineering prowess. But with various models available, a common question arises: is the E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY a good car? This detailed review delves into its performance, efficiency, driving experience, and overall value, helping you decide if this particular E-Class variant is the right fit for your needs on UK roads.

The Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY represents a significant stride in combining executive comfort with improved environmental credentials. While you might not immediately associate a large E-Class with low emissions, this model challenges perceptions. In its manual guise, it boasts an impressive average of 53.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km, putting it squarely in contention with segment leaders like the BMW 520d and Audi A6 2.0 TDI.

Performance and Efficiency: Finding the Sweet Spot

The heart of the E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY is its 2.2-litre diesel engine, offering a compelling blend of power and economy. While the manual transmission provides the best eco-credentials, the 5-speed automatic, often the preferred choice for an E-Class, sees a slight dip in efficiency. The automatic version achieves 48.7 mpg and emits 154 g/km CO2. This difference has notable implications for company car tax, with the automatic attracting a 22 per cent rate compared to just 19 per cent for the manual, and also places it two VED bands higher.

Mercedes-Benz also offered the E200 CDI and E250 CDI variants. The E200 CDI, while marginally more economical at 54.3 mpg and 137 g/km CO2, sacrifices performance for a modest saving of around £1000. Conversely, the E250 CDI, with economy figures identical to the E220 in manual form (53.3 mpg), doesn't offer a significant performance boost over the E220. This positions the E220 CDI as arguably the best balance between performance, economy, and price within the range.

Manual or Automatic E220?

For a car designed to provide a comfortable, luxurious, and effortless driving experience, the automatic transmission generally aligns better with the E-Class's character. However, neither option is without its quirks. The manual transmission isn't particularly slick, while the 5-speed automatic, though smooth, can be a little unresponsive, especially when accelerating from a standstill. While manual shifting via the lever is possible, it's not the most intuitive system. Drivers can also select between Eco and Sport settings, adapting the car's response to their preferences. Ultimately, for the E-Class's intended purpose, a slight delay in acceleration is often a minor trade-off for the added convenience of an automatic.

Driving Dynamics: Comfort Over Sportiness

The E-Class is engineered to provide a supremely cosseting ride, prioritising passenger comfort above all else. Unlike the Audi A6, but similar to the BMW 5-Series, the E-Class employs a rear-wheel-drive setup, which is generally better suited to a car of this class than front-wheel drive. While the BMW might offer a more overtly sporty handling experience, the E-Class excels at soaking up motorway miles with remarkable poise.

The cabin of the E220 CDI is generally well-insulated, contributing to its serene ambience. However, some drivers might notice a background growl from the engine, particularly at motorway speeds and under hard acceleration. Despite this, the car maintains an interior ambience of luxury, making long journeys a truly relaxing affair. Achieving this level of comfort while still delivering around 50 mpg (our test car averaged 45 mpg with the automatic gearbox) highlights the significant advancements in efficiency for this vehicle class.

The BlueEFFICIENCY Advantage: Engineering for Tomorrow

The improved fuel economy of this generation of E-Class – a remarkable 23 per cent better than its predecessor – is largely attributable to the introduction of BlueEFFICIENCY technology. This comprehensive approach integrates various advancements across all four and six-cylinder engines to enhance economy and reduce emissions. Key elements of BlueEFFICIENCY include:

• Weight Reduction: Lighter components contribute to better fuel efficiency.
• Aerodynamic Improvements: Optimised body design reduces drag.
• Reduced Rolling Resistance: Special tyres and engineering minimise friction.
• Optimised Energy Management: Intelligent control of auxiliary systems to save power.

These innovations ensured that a significant proportion of UK sales (70 per cent) were of models emitting below 160 g/km CO2, showcasing Mercedes-Benz's commitment to greener motoring.

Build Quality and Mercedes' Legacy: Rebuilding Trust

The ninth-generation E-Class boasts a long and successful lineage, with over 10 million units sold over 60 years. For much of this history, the E-Class was synonymous with solid engineering and unwavering reliability. However, in more recent years, this reputation for quality became somewhat tarnished. Acknowledging this, Mercedes-Benz made a concerted effort during the development of this latest E-Class, subjecting 400 test vehicles to over 21 million miles – equivalent to circling the Earth's equator 850 times. This rigorous testing aimed to restore confidence in the brand's build quality.

The result is a car that certainly feels solidly put-together, conveying a sense of being large and secure on the road. The interior maintains the traditional Mercedes ambience, complete with some characteristic quirks, such as the foot-operated handbrake and the multi-function stalk on the left of the steering column that combines indicator, wiper, and cruise control functions. While some might find the interior design less modern or exciting than rivals, its focus is on timeless luxury and functionality rather than flashy aesthetics.

Interior Design and Practicality: A Sanctuary of Luxury

As a large car, the E-Class naturally offers ample space for occupants. There's generous room in the front, rear, and a capacious boot. However, the transmission tunnel does somewhat impinge on legroom for the central rear-seat passenger. While the rear seats can fold down, this was an extra-cost option on many models. A notable convenience, still a rarity in many vehicles, is the easy accessibility of the ISOFIX child seat connectors in the rear, making child seat installation straightforward.

Advanced Technology and Safety: Pioneering Protection

This generation of E-Class was laden with advanced technology, much of it focused on enhanced safety. Some features were standard, others optional, but together they offered a comprehensive suite of protective and assistive systems:

• Active Bonnet: In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the bonnet rises to create a larger deformation zone, reducing injury severity.
• Attention Assist: Monitors driver behaviour and provides audible and visual warnings if signs of fatigue or drowsiness are detected.
• PRE-SAFE: A pre-emptive system that anticipates a collision and prepares the vehicle for impact by deploying airbags and tensioning seat belts.
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist: Constantly adjusts the headlamp range based on real-time data to provide optimal illumination without dazzling oncoming drivers.
• Intelligent Light System: Automatically offers five different lighting systems to suit varying conditions, such as motorway driving or bad weather.
• DISTRONIC PLUS: A radar-based adaptive cruise control system that maintains a set distance from the car ahead, automatically braking or accelerating as needed.
• LINGUATRONIC Voice Control System: Allows for voice commands to control various vehicle functions.
• Parktronic with Advanced Parking Guidance: Assists with parking manoeuvres.
• Nightview Assist Plus: Uses infrared technology to enhance visibility of pedestrians and animals at night.

With all models featuring at least seven airbags and over 17,000 crash test simulations conducted during its development, the E-Class provides a strong sense of security for its occupants.

Trim Levels and Value: Tailoring Your E-Class

The E-Class was available in three primary trim levels: SE, Avantgarde, and Sport. Beyond variations in equipment, these trims also offered different suspension settings. The SE, often aimed at business fleets, provided the most comfortable suspension. The Avantgarde and Sport models featured firmer setups. Visually, the BlueEFFICIENCY models often came with smaller wheels which, to some eyes, didn't quite match the aesthetic appeal of the larger wheels found on other E-Class variants.

Our test car, a 2.2 CDI SE Saloon, had a basic price of £28,880. However, like many executive cars, it was equipped with several desirable options that increased the final cost. The 5-speed automatic transmission with Tipfunction, Speedtronic variable speed limiter, and cruise control added £1490. The COMAND multimedia system, which included satellite navigation (though not always the most user-friendly system), cost £2185. Metallic paint was an additional £630. These options brought the total price of our test car to £33,185.

The E-Class Against Its Rivals: A Niche of Its Own

When considering an executive saloon with an emphasis on low emissions, the Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI often finds itself pitted against formidable rivals such as the BMW 520d and the Audi A6. While the new Audi A6 was poised to marginally edge out the BMW 520d in terms of economy, the BMW 520d remained the economy leader among currently available models at the time. The 520d also excelled in driving dynamics, thanks to its rear-wheel drive and more engaging chassis, often considered a better all-rounder due to its combination of performance, economy, sporty handling, elegant looks, and good value.

However, the beauty of the executive saloon segment lies in its diversity. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class carves out its own distinct niche. If your priority is unparalleled comfort during long motorway journeys, then the E-Class diesel is an exceptionally strong contender. Its enduring image, luxurious feel, and incredibly cosseting ride quality are undeniable drawcards. While the automatic transmission, though well-suited to the car's character, lags slightly behind the manual in emissions, many buyers will prioritise the seamless driving experience it offers. This focus on comfort and luxury, rather than outright fuel economy or sporty dynamics, is why, despite being a hugely competent overall package, the E-Class received a Green-Car-Guide rating of 8 out of 10. Prospective buyers are often swayed more by the prestigious badge, the opulent interior, and the serene ride than by marginal differences in fuel efficiency.

Conclusion: Is the E220 CDI a Good Car?

In conclusion, the Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY is indeed a very good car, particularly for the discerning driver who values comfort, luxury, and a refined driving experience. While it may not be the absolute leader in terms of sporty handling or ultimate fuel economy when compared to some rivals, its strengths lie in its ability to effortlessly waft its occupants in supreme comfort, its robust build quality, and its impressive array of safety technologies. It successfully blends traditional Mercedes luxury with modern efficiency, making it an excellent choice for those who spend significant time on motorways and appreciate a car that feels solid, secure, and prestigious. The E220 CDI strikes a commendable balance within the E-Class range, offering an appealing blend of performance, economy, and price that makes it a compelling option in the executive saloon market.

Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Key Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY fuel-efficient?
A: Yes, it is. The manual version can achieve 53.3 mpg, and even the automatic manages 48.7 mpg combined, which is very competitive for its class, especially considering its size and comfort levels. The BlueEFFICIENCY technology plays a significant role in its improved economy.

Q: Is the automatic transmission in the E220 CDI good?
A: The 5-speed automatic transmission is generally smooth and suits the car's comfortable nature well. While it might be slightly less responsive from a standstill compared to some modern automatics, it contributes to the effortless driving experience expected from an E-Class.

Q: How does the E220 CDI compare to rivals like the BMW 520d and Audi A6?
A: The E220 CDI holds its own by prioritising comfort, luxury, and a cosseting ride, making it ideal for motorway cruising. While the BMW 520d might offer slightly better economy and sportier handling, and the Audi A6 is also a strong contender, the E-Class distinguishes itself with its unique blend of traditional Mercedes luxury and a strong brand image.

Q: What is the engine capacity of the E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY?
A: The E220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY features a 2.2-litre (2.2 CDI) diesel engine. While the exact cubic capacity (cc) isn't explicitly stated in the provided details, '220 CDI' typically refers to a four-cylinder engine around 2.1-2.2 litres in Mercedes-Benz nomenclature.

Q: Is the E220 CDI reliable?
A: Mercedes-Benz made significant efforts to address past reliability concerns with this generation of E-Class. Extensive testing (over 21 million miles by test vehicles) was conducted to ensure solid engineering and build quality, aiming to restore the brand's reputation for dependability.

If you want to read more articles similar to Is the Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI a Good Car?, you can visit the Automotive category.