Road test: Mercedes-Benz E220d 9G-Tronic Plus SE

The Mercedes-Benz E Class always had a slightly staid image — a bit of an old man’s car. Well, brace yourself — things have changed, at least inside.

The new 10th-generation E Class has a cabin that is more chic cocktail bar than gentleman’s club.

Cool ambient lighting in a choice of 64 colours and a huge electronic dashboard bring the interior bang up-to-date, although the car’s slightly longer exterior, while smart, remains fairly conservative.

Engine choice is between two-litre petrol units with 184 or 245hp, a new two-litre diesel with 194hp, a three-litre diesel with 258hp or a three-litre petrol range-topper, badged E400 4MATIC, with 333hp. A petrol/electric hybrid with a total of 374hp will follow later this year.

The new two-litre diesel, badged E220d, will be the biggest seller. Working through a nine-speed auto box, it has plenty of pull and is a smooth motorway cruiser but, while better than the one it replaces, it still sounds a little harsh under fierce acceleration.

Mercedes claims the E Class is the most intelligent car in its group, and its Drive Pilot system takes it a long way towards autonomous driving.

More than ever, the new E Class feels like a junior S Class. And things don’t get much better than that.

Mercedes-Benz E220d 9G-Tronic Plus SE
Top speed: 149mph 
CO2: 102g/km 
Combined MPG: 72 
Price: £35,935