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.

Almost everything we loved in the E 350d at a much better price; it actually feels like good value now. The E 220d doesn't just fill the vast gap between the E 200 petrol and the E 350d. It's priced so well, it really makes you question whether you need to stump up the Rs 12 lakh extra for the V6 diesel. In fact, it is even cheaper than some standard-wheelbase rivals! You lose some equipment, but not enough to spoil the luxury experience as most of the essentials are there. Yes, that Maharaja-worthy air-suspended ride is gone, but the steel-sprung setup is rather impressive as well. And finally, the new engine is far more refined than the old one and, crucially, performance doesn't feel inadequate, despite the badge reading '220d' and not '250d'. However, we did miss the punchy mid-range of the older car. Though there has been a shift toward petrol lately, diesel is still the more popular choice in this sort of car, and we have no doubt that the E 220d is on its way to becoming the mainstay of the E-class range.