Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI : COST CRUSADER

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Not the most eye-catching model in the line-up, the E220 CDI relies on shining competence to convince buyers. Steve Walker takes a look.

In any car model range, the versions that get the most attention and the ones that sell most strongly are rarely the same. With the Mercedes E-Class, it'll be the absurdly powerful AMG super saloon, one of the big surging diesels or the latest high-tech petrol engine with its unfathomable injection system that gains the lion's share of the publicity. They'll be respectfully researched, lusted after and written about but when it comes to putting executive bums on finely stitched leather seats, models like the E220 CDI take the lead.

Not that the E220 CDI is any less of a technological showcase than other E-Classes. It's just that this car represents Mercedes' considerable technical knowhow put to the purpose of creating a top line executive car at a more accessible price point. This is where the majority of E-Class customers, executives with a company car allowance and a one eye on their tax bill, will be drawn and that's what makes the E220 CDI such a crucial car. The 170bhp figure offered by the E220 CDI has a satisfying ring to it. The engine itself is a latest generation four-cylinder common-rail diesel that features a bundle of advanced technology to help it mix performance and economy. Fast piezo-electric fuel injectors, exhaust gas recirculation and twin turbocharging, sounds suitably complex and impressive for a car of the E-Class's stature. Adaptive shock absorbers are standard fit on the E-Class. These monitor and adapt to the driving conditions in order to give a smooth ride and greater stability in corners. In the Avantgarde and Sport trim levels the suspension is lowered by 15mm to give a sportier feel.

"â€¦anyone ending up behind the wheel of an E220 CDI is unlikely to feel shortchanged"

Mercedes was never the manufacturer most likely to push the stylistic boat out and come up with a brave new design direction. Instead the E-Class is typically reserved, displaying many of the handsome squared-off elements seen on its smaller C-Class cousin. Inside, the S-Class luxury saloon is the inspiration with quality materials and switchgear in evidence. The amount of technology shoehorned into the E-Class really is remarkable and the most eye-opening features are aimed at improving the car's safety credentials. Mercedes likens the systems to an `intelligent partner' who can detect and react to danger, which sounds like an automated back seat driver chiming in every time they think you're going to fast or too close to the car in front. The reality is that the systems are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible until stronger intervention is absolutely necessary. Adaptive High Beam Assist uses a camera on the windscreen to detect approaching vehicles when you're driving at night to modify the headlamps and give an optimum field of vision at all times. Lane Keeping assist vibrates the steering wheel when it senses that the car is drifting out of its lane. Blind Spot Assist warns you when there's a car in your blind spot and Attention Assist measures 70 parameters to detect if you're falling asleep at the wheel. Then there's Brake Assist Plus that automatically applies optimum braking pressure to help you stop in time during emergency braking. Although many of the more advanced safety features are confined to the options list, the E-Class does come with nine airbags as standard and an active bonnet that raises up in the event of a collision to help protect pedestrians. This variant only comes in basic SE guise, but that does get you 16" alloy wheels, a leather multi-function steering wheel, an eight speaker stereo with Bluetooth compatibility, a large central display screen to marshal the car's various functions and the Advanced Parking Guidance system. There is no more fuel-efficient E-Class than the E220 CDI. It returns 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and 159g/km CO2 emissions which is good enough to put it up amongst the most efficient options in the executive car class. This model also benefits from Mercedes' BlueEFFICIENCY measures which include tyres with 17% lower rolling resistance, a specially designed energy-saving control system for the alternator, air-conditioning system, fuel pump and power steering. Hailing from the bottom end of the latest Mercedes E-Class line-up is no disgrace and anyone ending up behind the wheel of an E220 CDI is unlikely to feel shortchanged. There are certainly more desirable models in the line-up but buyers searching for a solid and sensible option will have a tough task improving on this E-Class. As a mix of economy, power and technology, it can't fail to impress and seems destined to account for a large proportion of overall E-Class sales.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Mercedes E220 CDI
PRICE: £28,863 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 14 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 159g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.3s/ Max Speed 141mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 34.9mpg / (extra urban) 60.1mpg / (combined) 47.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Nine airbags, ABS, ESP, Brake Assist, PRE-SAFE.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height (saloon), 4818/1822/1452mm [est]