For the 2021 season the Mercedes E-Class Coupe has had a solid overhaul with an emphasis on sporting look and upgrades in many departments.
For a start it has the AMG Line body-enhancement pack that was once an option is now standard in all variants.
Meaning that you get the looks of a sporting coupe but can opt for the Comfort settings if that’s more your style of things.
STYLING
Mercedes E-Class Coupe is a long handsome machine that gained some envious looks on several occasions during our week’s road test.
As well as the AMG grille there’s a new headlight design, widened wheel arches a larger front splitter. The rear has a split taillight design. There’s what looks like diffuser in the tail though we’re not sure it actually acts as aero aid. Perhaps it would nail down the rear if we were cruising in Germany at 180 plus km/h, though…
INTERIOR
It has genuine high-quality leather that we have praised in all topline models of all the prestigious German company’s topline models for many years of road testing them.
There’s a redesigned flat-bottom steering wheel looks good and provides a little more belly-room for owners who aren’t as slim as they once were.
The rear seats are for two occupants only and there is good leg- and elbow-room because there’s no need to squeeze a third seat in there. The rear seats fold in 40:20:40 to give a choice of human/cargo room.
INFOTAINMENT
A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is operated by a touchpad on the centre console and isn’t the easiest to use. Calling out “Hey Mercedes” makes life simpler as it responds to voice commands – I’ve seldom had any problems getting the system to work, though others I’ve spoken others who don’t have much joy. It can also be controlled by capacitive pads on the steering wheel.
The very-wide instrument/infotainment layout didn’t appeal to me when I first used it in other Mercs, but I’ve grown to like it.
The Mercedes MBUX native satellite navigation system worked well there are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
Connectivity is provided by multiple USB-C points at the front and rear.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Power comes from four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-petrol that provides 190kW (out that’s only there between 5800 and 6100rpm. That’s well balanced out by it having 370Nm all the way from 1800 to 4000rpm. The nine-speed automatic drives the rear wheels.
SAFETY
Mercedes has been working on car safety since the early 1940s and continues to be one of the leaders in the field. It has nine airbags and has high five-star ratings.
To avoid the need to use the nine (yes, nine!) airbags the E300 Coupe has active brake assist with cross-traffic detection, lane-change and blind-spot assist. Should the driver not be paying attention to the road steering assist will nudge the car back onto line.
DRIVING
The front seats are well-shaped and comfortable and support well without being too aggressive, after all this is a touring car not a sports machine.
Getting into the rear seats isn’t always easy as this is a large car with big doors and you’re sometimes pretty close to cars alongside in tight parking spots. Once you’re in there they are nice and comfortable as they are tailored for two.
Drive modes range from Comfort to Sport and Sport+. And there is an Individual mode to let you choose your own settings).
Sport and Sport+ sharpen up throttle response and keeps the engine in lower gears for longer before automatically changing up. It also reduces some of the steering wheel assist to give the driver added feedback.
The adaptive air suspension gives the feeling of being on a magic carpet in its softest setting.
Mercedes claims a combined fuel consumption of 8.0 litres per hundred kilometres. We typically used about nine to eleven litres around town and it was easy to get it under eight litres per hundred on motorways and easy country running.
SUMMING UP
Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe is a pleasant car for day-to-day driving as well as long country trips or weekends away. Though it can be used by four, somehow we feel it’s best used for two as luxurious personal transportation.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
E 200 Coupe: $103,700
E 300 Coupe: $117,400
E 350 Coupe: $128,200
AMG E 53 Coupe: $164,800Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe 2.0-litre turbo-petrol two-door coupe)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.991 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 190 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 370 Nm @ 1800 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.0 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 182 g/km
DRIVELINE: Nine-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4841 mm
Wheelbase: 2873 mm
Width: 1860 mm
Height: 1457 mm
Turning Circle: Not supplied
Kerb Mass: 1700 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 66 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / Unlimited kilometres