Car Review: 2015 Mercedes-Benz E 250 BlueteTEC 4Matic

The E-Class has anchored the mid-sized luxury segment for years. The question is can the latest diesel continue to garner the same sort of popularity as the car it replaces? Without giving too much away, the answer is yes.

To begin with, the one part of its make-up that really did impress me mightily was the 2.1-litre (technically, it’s 2,143 CC, but who’s counting?), four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel. It is strong, putting out 195 horsepower. However, the real plus is found in the 369 pound-feet of torque it twists out at just 1,600 rpm. The engine itself is remarkably refined, pretty darned quiet and it started quickly on frosty mornings. It also has the wherewithal to power the E-Class to 100 kilometres an hour in 7.9 seconds, which is right where it should be regardless of its competition’s power source — most being gasoline.

Remarkably, the diminutive diesel did this while averaging 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres during my test. Now that’s hybrid-like minus the complexity. It also means not having to worry about what to do when the battery ages and fades. As with so many, what’s promised from any battery, everything from AAs to iPhones, falls well short of what happens in the real world. And cold weather takes the otherwise good and makes it bad — many boosts are required the first cold day of winter!

The E’s seven-speed automatic transmission is well matched to the engine, as the ratios make the very best of the engine’s low-end punch. Crank things up to highway speeds and it loafs along at just 1,700 rpm at 120 km/h, which means a relaxed, fuel-efficient ride. It also came with paddle shifters — I actually used them, which is something I can’t say of many.

I also loved the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. It shuttled the power about invisibly while maximizing traction even when hit with the first real winter storm of the season. Wearing all-season tires, it just did not slip nor did it slide — equip the E 250 with a proper set of winter boots and it would be all but unstoppable. It is a very competent system that adds a great deal to the overall driving dynamics.

The E 250 also brings an enviable blend of ride comfort and handling. On the highway it wafted along soaking up the rigors of a rough road without missing a beat. Through a set of sweeping curves it hunkered down and got on with the business of controlling body roll. The sporty nature of the suspension certainly helped in this regard. It was also remarkably neutral to the feel, a trait that can be attributed to the aforementioned 4Matic system. Kudos for the feel and feedback from the steering — on-centre it was direct and it turned away with precision. In the end, there was not much to complain about from a dynamic perspective.

The interior is very nicely finished, with quality materials found throughout — even the instrument panel was lovingly wrapped in leather. It’s also logically laid out for the most part. I was not, and still am not, a fan of Mercedes-Benz’s Comand infotainment system. The shortcomings are twofold. First, the lack of a touch-sensitive screen on the tester forced everything to be controlled through the central controller, which sits just in front of the centre console and a long way from the driver’s peripheral vision. Second, there is altogether too much nudging of said controller when navigating through the various functions. Up to reach some; down to reach others. It then calls for a lot of twiddling of the knob to find the right command. In fairness, some time with it did make it easier to comprehend and, pun intended, command, so a prospective owner will get used to it reasonably quickly. The one facet that did work well was the 360-degree camera setup. It gives a bird’s-eye view of the surroundings. If I were to get picky, it is that the rear camera is very susceptible to dirt, which blurred the view at times.

The rest of cabin was just about perfect — the oversized panoramic roof panel imparted a light, airy feel and the tester’s seats were comfortable 14-way affairs that reminded me of a church pew. There is not a lot of shape to them and they come across as a tad firm at first, but they did deliver the right support and excellent long-distance comfort. Combine the fully articulated driver’s seat with the power tilt/telescopic steering and the right driving position was readily established and stored into memory. The unspoken plus is the setup accommodates driver’s of all sizes.

Moving rearward, the back seat will accommodate three at a pinch — not recommended for long distances because of the central tunnel intrusion and the fact it leaves little foot space for the middle rider. The outboard riders also get heated buns. Behind that there’s 540-litres of cargo space, split/folding seat backs, a ski pass-through and a power deck lid.

There was not a lot wrong with the E-Class; the E 250 model takes everything to the next level. The interior is richer, the handling has more poise and the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system makes it a true Canadian car. As such I picked it as one of the three Editor’s Choice rides I am allowed to pick each year. There is no bigger compliment

The Specs

Type of vehicle Four-door luxury sedan
Engine 2.1L, bi-turbo, diesel
Power 195 hp @ 3,800 rpm; 369 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,600
Transmission seven-speed manumatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires P245/40R18
Price (base/as tested) $59,500/$72,000
Destination charge $2,075
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km) 8.6 city, 5.9 highway
Standard features Dual-zone automatic climate control, power locks, windows and heated mirrors, power 14-way power front seats, power tilt/telescopic steering, heated front/rear seats, heated steering wheel, AM/FM/CD/Satellite audio with media interface and steering wheel-mounted controls, Comand with navigation, Distronic cruise control with steer assist, Parktronic with active parking assist, Bluetooth, smart key with push-button start, LED high-performance headlamps and more
Notable options: Premium pack ($4,400) Premium Plus pack ($4,000), Intelligent Drive pack ($2,700), Sport pack ($1,400)