Mercedes-Benz E200 review finds ‘entry-level’ doesn’t mean budget
There is now new ‘entry-level’ access to the world of success and luxury with the Mercedes-Benz E200.
There is a specific feeling that comes with owning a Mercedes-Benz. It’s a mix of achievement, smugness, and probably similar to slinging a Louis Vuitton bag over your shoulder or sliding on Gucci sunglasses.
The E200 is the gateway drug to this emotion. At about $127,000 drive-away, it is the entry-level model, packing a sensible mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol engine under the sedan’s skin.
But the engine is secondary. The most vital component is the first 30cm of the nose. That three-pointed star is a lighthouse beam of success, projecting your status down the road long before the rest of the car arrives.
Traditionalists, rejoice. You can delete the “groovy” grille star and specify the proper, upright bonnet ornament without altering the bottom line. It’s a no-cost option that adds a priceless view over the dashboard.
What do you get?
Saving $14k usually over its E300 sibling implies compromise, yet the E200 hardly feels low-rent. Sure, the seats are wrapped in man-made hide (slightly firmer than the real deal), but the ambience remains expensive. The dash is a slab of sculpted black ash wood and pixels, dominated by a 14.4-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
The higher end models take things up a notch with another screen for the passenger, but not in the 200.
You get the expected dual-zone climate, wireless phone charger and electric seats, plus a multi-function steering wheel wrapped in real leather. The stereo is a 730-watt, 17-speaker Burmester monster. It features four seat-mounted “exciters” to deliver a “sound massage”.
For the traditionalists, the Exclusive Line is a no-cost time machine. It swaps the modern face for the heritage grille and the iconic upright star. Throw in 19-inch tremolite grey alloys and brown maple wood trim, and it looks less “tech bro” and more “country estate”.
The paint chart is surprisingly generous with your wallet. You can choose from standard shades like black, blue, brown, grey, silver, and a flat white without paying an extra cent. If you want to get fancy, the metallic red or bright white will sting you for about $2000.
Inside, the menu lists black, beige, or brown, though picking anything other than basic black involves ticking a $3500 option box which also includes heating and cooling functions for the front seats.
How was the drive?
Refinement is the E200’s love language. It’s smooth, quiet and offensively competent.
The turbo four-pot is polite rather than punchy, ensuring you arrive relaxed rather than exhilarated. It manages the 0-100km/h dash in 7.5 seconds – fast enough to merge, but slow enough to keep your licence safe.
The powertrain can be ponderous, occasionally taking a moment before delivering power. We also had a few undignified moments on slight inclines where the E200 rolled gently backwards at intersections.
Exercise your right ankle and the engine soundtrack can be strained rather than sporty.
Under the bonnet sits the now-ubiquitous Mercedes mild-hybrid system. The electric motor isn’t there to snap your neck, it’s there to massage the fuel bills.
And it works. We saw consumption dip to a Toyota Prius-bothering 5.5L/100km on the highway, settling at an impressive 6.9L/100km overall. With a 66-litre tank, that means 1000km between refills is a genuine possibility, not just a brochure fantasy.
Rolling on 20-inch rubber means the ride can be firm on coarse chip roads, yet on silky bitumen it glides with wonderful ease.
Compared to its predecessor the wheelbase has stretched by about the width of your thumb. It sounds small, but in the game of legroom, every millimetre counts. Still, front passengers should be warned: slide your seat too far back, and you’ll turn the “executive” rear suite into a budget airline seat.
Would you buy one?
Kel: Growing on me throughout our drive week, the E200’s impressive all-round performance lived up to the Mercedes reputation. But I don’t think I could be lured away from an SUV, as I loved the GLC which undercuts the E200 in price with the benefit of additional boot space and flexibility.
Grant: The E200 proves that the sedan isn’t dead … it’s just become more exclusive. It feels less like a car and more like a compact S-Class. In cultures where the “three-box” shape still signifies power, this car doesn’t just arrive, it makes an entrance. I could absolutely live with one. I just need to find a bank manager who shares my vision.
