Mercedes-Benz has undertaken a mission to make its vehicles more affordable in recent times, and the E-Class is no exception.
The W214-generation E-Class was introduced in 2024 and the price tag for the E300 – $130,000, which is quite high for a base-specation four-cylinder sedan (even if it’s ‘large premium saloon from the three-pointed star) don’t you think?
Enough people agreed, because the E200 was reintroduced last year, offering luxury car buyers similar equipment for far less money.
It has apparently been a welcomed move by buyers, as the E-Class is Australia’s best-selling large luxury sedan ahead of the BMW i5 and 5 Series.
However, we’re not so sure it offers the best value of the bunch, even in E200 form…
How much does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost?
This is a lower price than the E200, $14,100 less expensive than its predecessors (the first-level variants of the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6) which are closely aligned with entry- level versions of their newer models.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz E200 | $117,900 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz E300 | $132,000 |
Similarly, “the E200 remains $13,000-advancer” to the model of the previous generation (which was discontinued in 2024), while keeping in mind that E-Class and 5 Series prices began about $80,000 less than a decade ago.
A second test car was also given the optional Comfort Package, a leather seat heated and ventilated with another $3500 additional $.
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What is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like on the inside?
The E200 misses out on a few interior toys, but it’s still a premium product.
Soft-touch materials cover just about every cabin panel, with the rest adorned in textured woodgrain or upscale aluminium.
If you fork out $3500 for the Comfort Package, a key touch point like the seats, steering wheel and centre armrest are covered in black leather, Key touch points (e.g.
Mercedes-Benz has cut corners in this regard, but it’s not just the one who is a . Also, BMW maintains original leather in the 5 Series’ trim levels for higher trim. Similarly, Genesis and Audi continue to provide base versions of the G80 and A6 with leather upholstery.
But crucially, the E-Class isn’t stuffed with gloss-black plastic – it has been a bugbear for anyone who likes to keep.
This smooth-moving sedan, in fact, wants less luxury than cheap bling. Not just the materials selection, but also the comfort-oriented amenities in the cabin are a part of that’s what makes it so appealing to .
A three-stage heating, cooling and a wide range of electric adjustment (including movable lumbar support) are the E200 sports supportive front seats with the Comfort Package box ticked. The door cards are also adorned with controls for the features described above, so you don’t have to rummage around down the side of the seat base.
Adding electric adjustments for the steering wheel to increase convenience levels, while it was disappointing to find that the wheel isn’t heated. So, I wish there was some sort of adjustable thigh support for those with longer legs and that is what s say.
Nevertheless, the cabin of the E200 is a comfortable place to spend your time in this space. This is the part too — particularly when it looks at night when the wraparound ambient lighting strip comes to life.
Or the E-Class isn’t short on modern technology, either. Base variants receive a 14-year sentence for base versions. 4-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12. These are both based on Mercedes-Benz’s new MBUX software and also feature 3 inch digital driver display, both of which is available in the latest version of their own brand.
Infotainment system is incredibly easy to use and loaded with useful apps such as detailed navigation, YouTube (video game), Amazon/ Spotify (audio music) Apple Music (weather, news, games). Each app is clearly labelled, and some useful shortcuts are permanently attached to the bottom of the display. Another touch capacitive control panel is located below, so that basic commands are not required to be used on the screen.
Besides being user-friendly, the infotainment tech is visually impressive and responsive to inputs. Standard wireless smartphone mirroring is standard, and devices can be refilled by either a protected wireless charging pad or one of three USB-C outlets up front.
Moving across, the E200 also features a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, as well as a head-up display.
My preferred option is simple gauges separated by a customisable centre data readout, and the rectangular instrument panel can be programmed to display many different layouts. The images are slick again, as is the case with .
A grand total of 17 Burmester-branded speakers deliver crisp audio and punchy bass from all angles.
The E300 also adds a third display for the passenger as part of the ‘MBUX Superscreen’. But it’s a waste of time, and I far prefer the look of. wooden dash panel over – wall of screen — to that is what makes this so unnecessary. Neither is it like that your passenger will be unable to get to the central infotainment screen, either.
A further example of Mercedes-Benz ‘technothing a little too far’ is the decision to “cram” the steering wheel with fiddly sensitive touch buttons. Every button is marked with the name of each but can be difficult to execute the intended selection without re-examining it.
Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz remains an automotive industry leader in technology; others would be wise to compare the Three-Pointed Star with other brands.
E200 also excels in the interior storage stakes, offering a number of practical solutions for common issues. In the centre holders, coffee cups of all sizes fit in with a cup and no snack is too big for the split-opening centre console bin. That’s all that’s missing is an overhead compartment for sunglasses – almost no dealbreaker.
And the deal is certainly better for those riding in the front of the E-Class, as the second row is less accommodating.
A little less is legroom, while the back seats have a lot more ‘squish’ than enough to be in. Six-one I could only sit in behind my driving position and even then, my knees were unable to rest against the hard plastic seat backing. For those above six-three, headroom is only likely to be a problem for passengers.
But the E-Class is a four-seater, it should be said; an elevated transmission tunnel prevents middle seat legroom from being used as ‘highly transmitted’.
Outboard riders can also access the full breadth of rear amenities, such as a centre armrest with cupholders, USB-C outlets, air vents and ‘a small storage nook built into the back of the centre console’ when leaving the middle seat empty.
They can also store drinks, snacks and other loose items in the door cards as well as pockets attached to the back of front seats or a drink/sneezer.
The E-Class otherwise provides 540 L (530L) boot space – more than the A6 (5 Series,520LL), and G80 (424L).
It’s a fitment of – powered tailgate, that’ll make it easier to load two large suitcases and that there’d be enough room for that. Despite the fact that there is a bit of slack, so be careful when trying to slide heavy bags in.
And don’t bother looking for a spare tyre, as the E-Class only carries a tyre repair kit.
| | Mercedes-Benz E200 |
| — | — |
| Length | 4959mm |
| Wheelbase | 2961mm |
| Width | 2065mm (including mirrors) |
| Height | 1466mm |
| Boot space | 540L |
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What’s under the bonnet?
In the base E200, a 2 is used as . The 48V mild-hybrid support of 0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with the help of . This transmission is only nine-speed automatic, and it sends power directly to the rear wheels.
| Specifications | Mercedes-Benz E200 |
| — | — |
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol 48V mild-hybrid |
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 320Nm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1825kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.5 seconds |
| Fuel economy (claimed, NEDC) | 7.2L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 9.5L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 66L |
| Fuel requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 162g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 |
The integration of a 48V starter-generator between the internal combustion engine and nine-speed automatic transmission gives an additional 17kW of power and 205Nm of torque on demand, but while the E200 is still low on grunt as it is with its larger brother.
A similar slow-down to 100km/h is also the W214 E200 – Mercedes-Benz says it has a 7-0100km (50 km/H) acceleration time of 170km. versus 7 seconds for the W214, 5 seconds. A second or more for the W213, 3 seconds.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lines up against the competition, check out our
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How does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class drive?
Something strange happened when I drove the E200.
But instead of the sway I was in my usual respectful rush, I became more relaxed driving with smoother inputs, larger gaps to surrounding cars and an overall lack of urgency for getting from A-B.
Could be just having a very slow week, or was I doing it? The E200 is a car that actively encourages you to sit down behind the wheel, more likely than any other luxury sedan.
It’s a class of car designed to temporarily relieve executive life, and the new generation of E-Class nails that shorten your time.
segment standards, the E200 isn’t really quick or thrilling to drive – even by segments. As for the meagre engine outputs, Mercedes-Benz says 0–100km/h time is about 7–7 and that it was as high as suggested by the Mea Gret. That’s more like a nine-second car on the road, and 5 seconds is just as it feels like an .
What is so suck in performance that the E200 compensates for comfort and refinement, but it’s also an improvement over its predecessor. A powerful train performs the work slowly; a pair of pedals produce predictably smooth responses, while both are uncomplicated.
The nine-speed transmission is likewise seamless in its operation, delivering almost imperceptible shifts to minimise revs and maximise efficiency.
But some may even confuse the mild-hybrid E200 with an EV, such as its ability to cruise around in near-silence. It’s good news for that , which allows those inside to either talk without interruption or enjoy the brilliant sound system.
ride quality, even if there are no adaptive dampers but it is also excellent. The standard passive suspension masterfully sucks down imperfections around town, and I was particularly impressed with how the E200 agreed on one particular speed bump near our office that is known for upsetting test cars.
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While I am preparing for the E300, it is included in a $9400 package that includes adaptive air suspension but I think cosseting the A200 doesn’t make sense because this means Cossetting Air Suits.
Certainly not as cocooned from the road surface as you would in the equivalent SUV, but that’s what makes it feel like to be paranoid. Nevertheless, the E-Class is about as compliant as they are in large sedans.
Like most SUVs, this hunkered-down sedan actually has some good driving features. That’s the rear-wheel drive for one, Friday nights at the skid pad… I joke – but there’s an amazing balance to how the E-Class handles corners.
The lower centre of gravity makes it feel slightly less lethargic, too.
On the other side of the coin, ground clearance can be a problem, but on the latter side it is not always clear. It’s not a lowrider, but the E200 is lower than you think it will be so much more cautionful to approach steep driveways.
A lot of the difficulty I never had to put it on the road was that my E-Class hugs the ground, which also causes Visibility and so does not. They are relatively thin A-pillars with glass over each shoulder to give a clear indication of what’s going on around you.
Leaving the highway, the E200 remains calm. The cabin has a nicer way of handling longer undulations and road joins barely register, while road rings are treated with grace. It is a solid, well resolved and very solid feeling no matter the conditions.
Highway driving also draws attention to Mercedes-Benz’s semi-autonomous driving technology, which is up there with the best going around.
Using straightforward steering wheel controls, you can easily change the set speed and follow distance (take note, BMW), and once all parameters are fixed in an adaptive cruise system, driver intervention is rarely required for driving to drive. I was particularly impressed with the stop/go function, which allows the E200 to pull away again unassisted after reaching a full stop in traffic.
As with modern cars, the E-Class has many active safety systems such as adaptive cruise control. Moreover, these aids are well calibrated and not intrusive in the way they help . Also, it’s also easy to make adjustments through the infotainment screen.
And there’s also some realism to driving experience Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual drive modes. Comfort mode is the best for E200, although it seems obvious that switching into other modes doesn’t dramatically change the character of the car.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lines up against the competition, check out our
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What do you get?
Most of the equipment in the E200 is similar to that found on the original E300, but it sucks leather upholstery for Artico faux-hide trim and loses the AMG Line exterior treatment.
2026 Mercedes-Benz E200 equipment highlights:
- 20-inch black-finish AMG alloy wheels
- Digital Light LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
- LED tail-lights
- Semi-automatic parking assist
- Power-adjustable comfort seats
- Black Artico upholstery
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Open-pore black ash wood trim
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Intelligent voice assistant
- Augmented reality satellite navigation
- 17-speaker 730W Burmester sound system
- Dolby Atmos support
- Dual-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
E300 adds:
- AMG Line exterior package
- Leather upholstery
- MBUX Superscreen
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 12.3-inch passenger display
To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lines up against the competition, check out our
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Options
For example, buyers are offered a new Exclusive Line exterior package for no extra cost that includes ‘three-slat grille, upright bonnet emblem and 19-inch wheels’.
Exclusive Line
The no-cost Exclusive Line package for the E200 adds:
- 19-inch tremolite grey wheels
- Upright Mercedes star bonnet emblem
- Chrome grille with three horizontal louvres
- Brown open-pore maple wood trim with aluminium lines
The $3500 Comfort Package for the E200 includes:
- Leather upholstery
- Tonka Brown and Macchiato Beige
- Heated and ventilated seats
The $9400 Plus Package for the E300 brings:
- Rear-axle steering
- Airmatic adaptive air suspension with continuously variable damping
- Illuminated grille
- Multi-contour front seats
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Four-zone climate control
- MBUX Interior Assistant
The $5200 Energizing Package Plus for the E300 includes:
- Air-Balance package, with adjustable interior fragrances
- Energizing Comfort programs, which adjust the climate, music, lighting, fragrances and air-conditioning
- Anti-travel sickness program
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class safe?
The W214-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2024.
| Category | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 92 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 91 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 84 per cent |
| Safety assist | 88 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Evasive steering assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Surround-view camera
- Traffic sign recognition
- 10 airbags: front, front-side, front knee, rear-side and centre
To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lines up against the competition, check out our
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How much does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost to run?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
| Servicing and Warranty | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 25,000km |
| Prepaid service plan | Up to 5 years |
| Average annual service cost | $1132 – 3 years $1169 – 4 years $1389 – 5 years |
| Total service plan cost | $3395 – 3 years $4675 – 4 years $6945 – 5 years |
Complimentary roadside assistance is available for the same period.
Service intervals (12 months or 25,000km for the E-Class) are relatively generous, but Mercedes-Benz is not so much in service pricing. Five-year prepaid service plan $6945 – more than double the cost of maintaining a BMW 5 Series or Audi A6 over the same period.
The E200 drinks in the same rate as its main German competitors as for fuel costs. The three are less frugal than foreign enemies like the Maserati Ghibli, Genesis G80 and Skoda Superb.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lines up against the competition, check out our
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childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Mercedes-Benz E200
The entry-level E-Class ticks a lot of boxes for large premium sedan buyers, provided performance isn’t a priority.
It’s comfortable, refined, efficient and loaded with impressive technology – all attributes that define automotive luxury in 2026.
With the Comfort Package equipped, the E200 is also better value than other versions of this in-demand sedan.
And yet, I still struggle to recommend it. Why? A lack of value in the ownership experience.
Having a Mercedes-Benz Servicing isn’t necessarily cheap, but $7000 over five years is an absolute rort. It’s less than half that for BMW and Audi, but less like Genesis – which doesn’t take a cent. This is why I call premium treatment and the latter even provides me with a free pickup service–the latter’s what I use.
Assuming that most other factors are the same (or close to it) I’d be more likely to steer potential buyers towards the plush and punchy G80 Signature, which is a better value for $104,200 before on-road costs.
The BMW 520i is another strong option in this segment, although it’s quite similar (in execution like the E200) if you just have to buy European.
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