First Drive: Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLE

First Drive: Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLE

Whether you're travelling on winding mountain roads or straight, well-paved national highways, having the right tool for the job is crucial. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the perfect tool for easing the pain of lengthy drives from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

The E-Class might not scream success quite like the S-Class, but it sure does make for an exceptional highway cruiser. The new model is stylish, with lines that maintain the classic Mercedes elegance and a bold personality brought about by its grand size. It is a looker, sure, but this new offering brings out the youthful nature in its occupants.

The interior is plush but not overwhelming; the colour palettes on offer provide either a light and lively atmosphere with the white interior trim or a serious and impressively ominous black interior. Arguably the most noticeable addition to the interior of the new E-Class is the infotainment layout. Adapting to the demands of the modern world, the new E-Class features a digital driver display, a sizable infotainment screen that blends seamlessly into the centre dash, and an interactive gallery screen on the passenger side that lets occupants adjust the music, navigate, and use other functions from their own side. 

The inclusion of 4D sound is a feature I had not experienced before, and it takes a bit of getting used to as it can be off-putting at first. The sound engineering on the E-Class produces bass vibration in the seats as well as an advanced surround sound experience, and the noise is spectacular. Fortunately, you can switch off the 4D sound. Recently, Mercedes seats have become a touch more firm, and this continues in the E-Class. Although this may be uncomfortable for some buyers out there, I rather enjoyed the firmer, hugging seat structure.

Driving the E-Class is an incredibly comfortable experience. The ride is exceptional, as the suspension easily absorbs each bump. It also provides good composure at speed and excellent handling characteristics, but the tail does tend to show its weight in the faster sweeps. At this time, the E-Class comes in two engine options, the first being the petrol E200, which offers a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol combustion engine that produces 150kW and 320Nm. The second power unit option is the E220d, which offers a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that produces 145kW and 440Nm.

After spending a considerable amount of time in the 220d, I found that the engine has good low-end torque, but the vehicle's weight leaves you wanting more on the dynamic side. What the 220d does provide is a frugal, smooth, and torquey drive at low speeds, as well as enough shunt to easily overtake on highways with a consumption of 5.0l/100km.

Mercedes-Benz CLE

Let's move on to the coupe. One would assume that the CLE would bear a closer resemblance to the E-Class in a coupe configuration; however, the cabin experience is almost identical to that of the C-Class. The cabin layout for the driver and front passenger features the same central infotainment tablet, centre console, and cabin layout as the C-Class, but in a two-door format. The front legroom, although ample, is confined on the sides, and any rear passengers taller than six feet would struggle with legroom.  

The driving dynamics of the CLE are similar to those of the E-Class, but it offers a slightly more dynamic cornering ability and a firmer ride quality, which is brilliant on both highways and twisty roads. It offers a slightly more exciting driving experience than the E-Class, and the CLE300 was the variant I put to the test. The 300 comes with the 4Matic AWD system for better stability and provides 190kW and 400Nm from its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This gives the coupe a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds and a fuel consumption figure of 7.4l/100km. At higher RPMs, the abundant power and torque provide a more thrilling experience. It also sits comfortably at higher speeds and delivers a decent all-round performance for a luxury saloon, which brings me to the exterior.

Mercedes-Benz knew what it was doing with the CLE's exterior design, as it is simply stunning. The coupe shape complements the rounder rear end, and the body is dynamically astounding. Seeing it in your rearview mirror makes you feel guilty for slowing it down and prompts you to gaze at its lines as it passes by. 

As for the pricing of these vehicles, the E-Class starts at R1,344,750 with the 200, and the 220d is slightly more expensive at R1,430,550. Considering its direct competitor and recently released BMW 5 Series, the E-Class is a little on the steep side, being around R100,000 more expensive, but with the addition of the passenger screen and an executive cabin feel, the E-Class is a good car for the money. 

On the other hand, the CLE comes with a substantial price tag. The 200 is the less expensive package at R1,355,350, while the 300 starts at R1,430,650, which is higher than the closest rival, the BMW 4 Series. The 4 Series starts at about R350,000 less than the CLE, with the performance variant, the M440i, costing around R30,000 more than the 300. 

Overall, the CLE, despite looking utterly stunning, continues to leave C-Class impressions on me for quite a bit more cash, and although it is a good product, I would lean more towards the 4 Series. The E-Class, on the other hand, is an exceptionally classy cruiser with impressive ride quality, an elegant yet tech-savvy interior, and a look that will have many drooling, all at a price that makes sense. 

Pricing

Mercedes-Benz E200: R1,344,750

Mercedes-Benz E220d: R1,430,550

Mercedes-Benz CLE200: R1,355,350

Mercedes-Benz CLE300 4Matic: R1,430,650

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