Promising quality and refinement
Generally when I test a luxury car they tend to stand out, but every once in a while a test car is very unassuming or even subdued. That is just how I would describe my 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 test vehicle in brown. The lower placed grill just gives the car a more common look.
Once you stop and look at the E300 you begin to appreciate the simple yet attractive lines of the car. As you enter the car you find the subdued lines leading to a nice well laid-out interior. The comfortable leather seats are solid and give good grip in sharp turns as this car does like to move quickly.
Those of you who do have to carry friends and family will find the rear seating very generous with plenty of leg room. The higher rear seats do hamper rear vision a little but once you get used to the mirrors and standard backup camera, seeing behind becomes stress-free. Due to its size, the truck area of the E300 is generous and can, for the most part, handle the luggage of four adults.
Those of you who are technically-savvy will have an easy time on the controls in the car, but those who are not need to have someone to go over the basics of where things are placed and how to operate them. In the short time I had with the car, it took me a little time to get used to things. But once you learn the way the controls function and their placement, you get to understand the logic behind the whole control system.
Moving the E300 4MATIC is a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbo that produces 241 horsepower and an amazing 273 lb-ft of torque that propels the car instantly when desired. The all-wheel-drive system (4MATIC) gives the car a very sur-footed grip on dry, wet or snow surfaces which I found great when I encountered rain on a few occasions during testing. Transferring that power to all four wheels is a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for those who want just a little more excitement. As you would expect from a Mercedes, shifting through the nine-gear ratios was flawless as you never really felt it shift under normal acceleration.
Like every other Mercedes I have driven over the years, handling was almost like a sports car or maybe better in some cases. The car glides around tight corners or bends in the road like it was almost stuck to it. Stopping was top notch as well, as due to the car’s advanced suspension it allows to just grip better than most.
One thing that did impress me about the motor was the fuel consumption during the test time with the car. The 10.8 L/100 km city was right on, which for a car that weighs in at 1,765 kg, is better than other cars of similar size. On the highway on a level surface, I bettered the stated 8.1 L/100 km which really impressed me.
Everyone knows you get what you pay for, and with a Mercedes you get quality and refinement – something many auto makers just can’t offer. If you desire the best automotive technology can offer, then the E300 4MATIC gives you all that for a base price of $61,200.
Highlight
MRSP: $61,200
Motor: 2-litre four-cylinder
Horsepower: 241
Torque (lb-ft): 273
Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 10.8 L/100 km city 8.1 L/100 km highway
