Mercedes E-Class (2016)

The 2016 Mercedes E-Class is a luxury sedan that combines elegance, comfort, and advanced technology. It features a spacious cabin with premium materials, ample legroom, and a host of features like dual-zone climate control, advanced infotainment, and safety systems. The diesel variants, especially the E 220 d, offer strong performance and smooth power delivery, making them ideal for both city commutes and highway cruising. The nine-speed automatic gearbox ensures seamless shifts and good fuel efficiency. The car’s handling is composed, with a focus on comfort rather than sportiness, and the air suspension on higher trims adds to the luxury feel. The E-Class is built to provide a premium driving experience, with a blend of style, comfort, and technology that sets it apart in its segment.

The 2016 Mercedes E-Class fourth-generation model represents a significant evolution in the executive sedan category, featuring a substantial 43mm increase in overall length reaching 4,923mm and a 65mm wheelbase extension to 2,939mm, directly improving cabin space and passenger comfort. The vehicle employs high and ultra-high strength steel extensively throughout its structure, achieving a lighter overall kerb weight of 1,885kg despite the dimensional growth, which contributes to both performance and efficiency improvements. Engine options include diesel variants ranging from the 1,950cc E 220d to the powerful 2,987cc V6 E 350d with its OM642 BlueTEC turbo engine producing 252 horsepower and 620 Nm torque, achieving 0-100 kmph acceleration in 6.6 seconds. The 9G-Tronic and 7G-Tronic automatic transmissions provide smooth gear changes calibrated to maintain lower RPMs during gentle driving while offering responsive performance when required. Interior appointments showcase typical Mercedes luxury with dual-zone climate control, advanced safety features including front and rear parking sensors, and stylishly appointed cabins featuring quality materials throughout. The air body control suspension on select variants delivers impressive high-speed stability and motorway refinement, though showing slight sensitivity to urban road imperfections.

The 2016 Mercedes E-Class stands out as a luxury sedan that blends comfort, technology, and driving dynamics in a way few rivals can match. It feels like a junior S-Class, with a plush cabin, refined ride, and a host of features that make every journey enjoyable. The diesel variants, especially the E 220 d, offer strong performance and smooth power delivery, making them ideal for both city commutes and highway cruising. The nine-speed automatic gearbox is well calibrated, ensuring seamless shifts and good fuel efficiency. The cabin is spacious, with ample legroom and headroom for all passengers, and the build quality is top-notch. The car’s handling is composed, though it leans more towards comfort than sportiness. The air suspension, available on higher trims, adds to the luxury feel but can be sensitive to rough Indian roads. Overall, the 2016 E-Class is a compelling choice for those seeking a premium driving experience with a blend of style, comfort, and technology.

The 2016 Mercedes E-Class represents a compelling choice in the luxury sedan segment for those seeking a refined driving experience with substantial build quality. I found the vehicle to be lighter and more economical than its predecessor despite growing in dimensions, with the 43mm increase in overall length and 65mm wheelbase stretch translating into noticeably improved cabin space. The engineering demonstrates Mercedes' commitment to balancing performance with efficiency through the use of high and ultra-high strength steel that keeps weight down. The air-suspended models I've evaluated deliver confident highway performance with excellent high-speed comfort, though I did notice the suspension can be somewhat sensitive to potholes and drain covers on Indian roads. The transmission calibration keeps revs low during gentle driving, which suits the engines perfectly, while the overall driving dynamics position this vehicle as a junior S-Class alternative. For buyers prioritizing comfort, space, and prestigious German engineering over sporty handling characteristics, the E-Class delivers admirably, though prospective owners should be prepared for potential suspension sensitivity on poorly maintained road surfaces.

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a mid-cycle update, which included minor exterior tweaks and significant interior upgrades. The update brought new LED headlamps, a revised front bumper, and updated tail lights. Inside, the car got a new steering wheel, additional trim options, and enhanced infotainment systems. I think these updates made the E-Class even more appealing to luxury car buyers.

Mercedes-Benz introduced several advanced safety features in the 2016 E-Class, including Active Lane Change Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, and a 360-degree camera system. These features were part of Mercedes efforts to enhance driver safety and comfort. I believe these innovations set a new standard in the luxury sedan segment.

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engine options, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter V6. These engines provided a balance of power and efficiency, making the E-Class a favorite among performance enthusiasts. The V6 model, in particular, was praised for its smooth and powerful delivery.

The interior of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was renowned for its comfort and luxury. It featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a Burmester surround sound system. The cabin was also equipped with ambient lighting and a range of convenience features. I think the attention to detail in the interior made it a standout in its class.

The 2016 E-Class boasted advanced technology, including a COMAND infotainment system with a high-resolution display and voice command. It also featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, making it one of the most connected cars of its time. The system was user-friendly, although some critics found it a bit complex.

The 2016 Mercedes E-Class was launched in India with an ex-showroom price ranging from approximately ₹49.93 lakh for the base E 200 CGI to around ₹1.29 crore for the top-spec E 63 AMG. On-road prices, including registration, insurance, and other charges, would typically be about 10-15% higher, depending on the city and variant. For example, the E 220 d, a popular choice, would have an on-road price in the range of ₹65-70 lakh. The price reflects the car’s premium positioning, advanced features, and strong resale value. While the initial cost is high, the E-Class holds its value well in the pre-owned market, making it a solid investment for those seeking a luxury sedan. The price also covers a comprehensive warranty and service package, which adds to the ownership experience.

In India, the 2016 Mercedes E-Class carries an ex-showroom price ranging from approximately Rs 49.93 lakh for the base E 220d model to Rs 1.29 crore for the high-performance E 63 AMG variant. The on-road pricing would typically add 10-15 percent depending on your state's registration and insurance charges. From my perspective as a reviewer, the pricing reflects the vehicle's positioning as a premium executive sedan with genuine technological advancement and superior build quality compared to competitors in its segment. Used examples from 2016-2017 can be found at significantly reduced prices, often less than half the original cost, making them increasingly attractive for buyers seeking luxury car ownership without the depreciation hit of purchasing new. The E 220d represents the sweet spot in terms of value proposition, offering sufficient power and torque while maintaining reasonable running costs compared to the larger displacement variants. The top-spec E 350d, priced around Rs 64.32 lakh ex-showroom when new, commands premium pricing due to its superior performance characteristics and feature richness, though used market examples offer exceptional value for luxury seekers willing to accept a pre-owned vehicle.

The 2016 Mercedes E-Class, particularly the diesel variants like the E 220 d, offers a claimed mileage of around 16.1 kmpl, which is quite impressive for a luxury sedan of its size. In real-world Indian conditions, expect to achieve about 12-14 kmpl in mixed city and highway driving. The petrol variants, such as the E 200 CGI, deliver around 12 kmpl. The efficient nine-speed automatic gearbox and advanced engine technology help keep running costs manageable, making the E-Class a practical choice for those concerned about fuel economy and long-term ownership expenses.

The diesel variants of the 2016 E-Class deliver fuel economy ranging between 14 to 16.1 kilometers per liter depending on driving conditions and the specific engine variant, with the E 220d achieving approximately 16.1 kmpl in mixed driving. From my experience evaluating running costs, the diesel engines prove economical for high-mileage drivers covering significant highway distances, as the strong torque delivery and efficient transmission calibration minimize fuel consumption. The E 350d diesel variant, while offering superior performance with 252 horsepower and 620 Nm torque, returns approximately 14 kmpl, making it slightly thirstier but still respectable for an executive sedan in its class. For buyers concerned about ownership costs in India, these fuel economy figures translate to reasonable running expenses over time, particularly when factoring in the vehicle's overall efficiency improvements compared to older generation models.