Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

The current executive sedan market is evolving towards the direction of "intelligent hybrid + luxury balance". As one of Mercedes-Benz's core models in this segment, the 2024 E-Class E200 was officially launched on September 12, priced at RM 355,888. Its biggest change is the upgrade to a mild hybrid system, balancing power response and fuel efficiency while improving intelligent features. In this test drive, we focus on verifying its mild hybrid performance, space practicality, and daily driving comfort to see if it can still maintain its position as a mainstream choice in the executive sedan category.

The exterior of the 2024 E200 continues the family-style design but with more refined details. The overall body dimensions are 4949mm×2065mm×1468mm, with a wheelbase of 2939mm. The side profile features sleek and elongated lines, showcasing the typical stance of an executive sedan. The front features a large-sized star-pattern grille, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides. The daytime running lights adopt the iconic inverted L-shaped design of the three-pointed star emblem for high recognizability. Body lines extend from the hood to the rear, with simple yet powerful waistlines, slightly flared rear fenders, and 19-inch multi-spoke wheels (front tires 245/45R19, rear tires 275/40R19), enhancing its stable appearance. At the rear, the taillights adopt a horizontal design, with internal LED light strips creating a horizontally arranged effect when lit, echoing the design of the front headlights. The dual exhaust layout under the rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness.

Inside, the 2024 E200 continues Mercedes-Benz's consistent sense of luxury. The dashboard is covered with large areas of soft-touch materials, complemented by metallic accents for a premium tactile and visual experience. Core configurations include a 14.4-inch MBUX infotainment screen that replaces the previous 12.3-inch version. The display resolution and operational smoothness have been improved, supporting both touch and voice controls. A fully digital instrument cluster is also standard, offering multiple display modes and working in sync with the central screen. The seats are another highlight, with the front seats featuring power adjustments, soft padding, and decent support, ensuring comfort for long trips. The rear seats adopt a 60:40 split-fold configuration, with a moderate backrest angle and spacious legroom. Passengers up to 175cm tall will find about two fists' worth of space between their knees and the front seats. Storage space is practical, with door pockets, a central armrest box, and a glove compartment providing ample room for daily needs. The trunk offers a capacity of 540L, easily accommodating three 20-inch suitcases.

In terms of performance, the 2024 E200 is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine and a 48V mild hybrid system. The engine produces a maximum horsepower of 204PS, a maximum power of 150kW, and a peak torque of 320N·m. The electric motor provides an additional 23PS of auxiliary horsepower and 205N·m of auxiliary torque. The powertrain is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive layout. During actual driving, the integration of the mild hybrid system makes for smoother take-offs. Particularly in traffic, the electric motor helps effectively reduce turbo lag, resulting in more linear throttle response. Switching to sport mode delivers more direct power output, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. Real-world tests show sufficient power reserves for everyday overtaking situations. The chassis adopts independent multi-link suspension for both the front and rear, tuned for comfort. It effectively absorbs bumps and keeps the body stable over speed bumps or uneven roads. During high-speed cornering, the suspension offers good support, keeping body roll within reasonable limits. The steering system is quite precise, with a moderate steering feel, making daily driving effortless.

The fuel consumption performance is one of the key focuses of this test drive. The official combined fuel consumption is 6.7L/100km. We drove approximately 50km each on urban congested roads and highways. The fuel consumption in urban areas was about 7.2L/100km, while on highways it was about 6.1L/100km, with an overall combined consumption of 6.6L/100km, which is basically consistent with the official figures. The mild hybrid system shows significant fuel-saving effects at low speeds and during start-stop conditions. The braking system performs stably, with a front ventilated disc + rear ventilated disc setup that provides quick braking response, while maintaining a stable body posture during emergency braking. In terms of noise control, the cabin noise below 80km/h is very minimal, mainly from slight road noise from the tires; however, wind noise becomes more noticeable after 120km/h, though it remains within an acceptable range.

Compared to the older E200 model (2021 version priced at RM 330,240), the 2024 E200 has seen a price increase of approximately RM 25,000, but it has been upgraded with a mild hybrid system, a larger central control screen, and a 360-degree panoramic camera, making it more cost-effective. Compared to competitors in the same class, it still holds advantages in terms of luxury and brand value, and the addition of the mild hybrid system makes it more competitive in fuel efficiency.

Overall, the key highlights of the 2024 E200 are the balance of power and fuel efficiency brought by the mild hybrid system, Mercedes-Benz's consistent luxurious interior, and its practical space performance. It is suitable for families or professionals who value brand image, seek a comfortable driving experience, and require certain business-related functionalities. If you are looking for a well-balanced and highly recognized brand model in the executive sedan market, the 2024 E-Class E200 is worth considering.