2017 Mercedes-Benz E 220d review, road test

Far more affordable diesel E-class debuts Mercedes’ new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine in India.

Published on Jul 11, 2017 07:00:00 AM

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2017 Mercedes-Benz E 220d review, road test

Steel springs give consistent body control but it’s still too big to be fun in bends.

Make : Mercedes-Benz

Model : E-Class

The new, long-wheelbase ‘V213’ E-class has been a huge success and it impressed us a great deal when we reviewed it in the E 350d guise, but really, this is the one we’ve been waiting for – the E 220d. Why? For one, at Rs 57.7 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it’s a whole lot more affordable than the E 350d, and two, because it debuts Mercedes’ new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine in India. This motor will slowly replace the 2.1-litre, four-cylinder diesel motor that is used by most Merc models – anything with a 200d, 220d or 250d badge – in India, and so it will account for the majority of sales. So there is a lot riding on it, then.

Not much has changed on the outside, save for the new badge and a set of smart, five-spoke alloy wheels. On the inside too, it’s almost exactly the same. There’s a lighter shade of woodgrain on the dash and the Artico faux-leather upholstery has a different design, but that’s it. Sure, you miss a few bits of equipment – like adjustable dampers, the Burmester hi-fi system, memory settings for the front seats and 360-degree parking cameras – but these aren’t essential items.

You still get loads of equipment like automatic, adaptive LED headlamps, push-button start, five driving modes, three-zone auto climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the huge panoramic sunroof and electric sunblinds. Really, buyers won’t feel shortchanged by this lesser variant. In fact, it almost makes you question why the E 350d is so much more expensive!