Of course there are better, more powerful and more befitting solutions for moving a Mercedes E-Class. The 220d has been considered a solid basic version for years, which is slightly faster than the former E 200d and is particularly popular with taxi drivers and company car drivers in Europe. The new E-Class of the W214 generation is better than ever because it is more emotional, nobler and more stylish than is normally known from the luxury class from Stuttgart. This is particularly true for the station wagon version under the designation S214, which travels in large lanes, because its previous generations are true legends when it comes to the combination of lifestyle, family friendliness, everyday use and image with the star on the hood.
If you can choose, you should undoubtedly get into the sovereign Mercedes E 450 4matic or, if desired, wait for even more powerful diesel engines that fit well into the T-model as a six-cylinder. The plug-in hybrids impress with an impressive electric range of around 100 kilometers and a lot of nominal power, but with the two-liter turbo gasoline engine they do not have a consistently convincing basic engine under the hood. However, if you really have to scrub a lot of kilometers in everyday life and have to make do with a four-cylinder diesel due to the classification of employee level or CO2, you are best served with the E 220d T, which costs at least 66,818 euros. Thanks to the 440 Nm of torque (from 1,800 rpm), the 145 kW / 197 hp that the two-liter common rail diesel produces from its quartet of cylinders is enough that you can drive quickly even when the station wagon is full is loaded. A mild hybrid system ensures efficiency and torque.
There is enough space for four people and, if necessary, a fifth, not particularly tall person can also be accommodated in the middle of the rear for more than a short journey. The legroom is exemplary – the seats are excellent – both front and back. Compared to its predecessor, the 4.95 meter long E-Class T-model has increased in width by almost three centimeters. The passengers in the rear particularly benefit from this. This also applies to the slightly increased wheelbase (now 2.96 meters), which provides more space for knees and legs. The driver looks at slightly overloaded instruments, the view of which he can at least vary to his liking. The steering wheel hardly contributes to the ease of operation and so it is to be hoped that the Swabians will soon return from the touch buttons on the spokes to real buttons, which are then not so touch-sensitive. If desired, the front passenger can have their own display for entertainment and settings – practical.
Unlike the plug-in hybrid, which reduces the cargo space volume in the Mercedes E-Class T-Model to just 460 to 1,675 liters, the E 220d can make full use of the luggage compartment. Behind the electrically opening tailgate, 615 to 1,830 liters are available, so you don’t have to leave anything important at home. This puts it exactly on the same level as its predecessor. However, an air spring is only standard on the rear axle; Therefore, it is better to go the whole step and change the chassis completely to air suspension with an adjustable damper, because then the travel comfort knows no limits and the driver can also choose the sportier route with a tighter set-up using the various driving programs, which has a positive effect on gear selection, engine electronics and Steering affects. The driver assistance systems are extensive and largely exhaustive, although a highway assistant or even level 3 driving is currently not offered. The T-model is prepared for autonomous parking and the driver can leave his vehicle key at home – his own smartphone is enough.
The noise level of the E 220d is exemplary in all driving modes – inside and out. Admittedly, the Swabian cannot disguise the fact that it is a diesel engine with four cylinders, but the common rail diesel does not sound disturbing either when stationary or at normal driving speed. Thanks to its 440 Nm, it delivers, especially when driving on brisk country roads or on the motorway. Nobody is interested in the image sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, but that’s definitely a good value for a two-ton station wagon. 230 km/h is possible on the motorway and the standard consumption of 5.0 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of 131 g allow the E 220d T to slip into many a fleet target. At low speeds and in overrun mode, a small electric motor acts as a starter generator, contributing a further 17 kW / 23 HP and at least 205 Nm. If there’s one thing you could wish for, it’s all-wheel drive. But we assume that there will also be an E 220d 4matic T version of the economical diesel.
