Mercedes-Benz E250 2011 Review

A wagon that massages your ego with style and performance yet minimises your environmental footprint is a winner in any language. When that language is German, you're in for something special.

Enter the Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI Estate, a 2.1-litre turbodiesel that justifies its six-figure cost with an engine that hits hard in every area except the fuel bowser. Toss in the fact it's a seven-seater and you have a high-performance people-mover.

VALUE

The simple face is you pay a premium for anything with Audi, BMW or Mercedes badge. Status symbols are undoubtedly part of it, the world can see you're doing well, but under the sheet metal are safety and engineering technologies that won't filter down to Japanese or South Korean models for years.

The E250 CDI is a classic example of "you get what you pay for". The wagon costs $105,500 plus on-roads, and I'd buy one tomorrow if I had the cash and needed to haul seven people. It's only competition comes from the SUV sector and they don't rate on looks or handling.

TECHNOLOGY

The turbodiesel engine is from Mercedes' BlueEfficiency range and it's a pearler. It cranks out 150kW and 500Nm yet uses just 6.3 litres/100km. It uses a host of small, but smart improvements to do that, from an on-demand alternator to cut engine-load to a grille shutter that smooths out the airflow when the engine doesn't need cooling.

Self-levelling rear suspension automatically compensates for whatever load is in the back, and with a class-leading 1950 litres of space, it can be a fair load, and the suspension's adaptive damping improves the ride no matter who or what is onboard.

There's also a parking guidance system that recommends when and to what degree to turn the wheel when parallel parking. That's handy, given the estate is nudging 5m in length.

STYLING

Wagons have always been the practical cousins of their sedan counterparts, but the E-Class estates are good-looking transport in their own right. The windows taper towards the rear to help disguise the boxy shape and the tailgate is arched so it doesn't look square from behind. It's still a relatively conservative design, but why tinker with what works.

It's the same inside, where returning customers will be reassured by the familiar layout. New owners will need a few days to familiarise themselves with the myriad of buttons and on-screen menus that help control everything from the airconditioning to the satnav system.

SAFETY

The Benz is at its best when comparing safety systems. Bi-xenon headlights and daytime running lights ensure the E-Class stands out night or day. The airbags extend to the windows in the second row of seats, and the Pre-Safe occupant protection system that does everything from pre-tension the seatbelts to closing the windows when it detects and imminent crash.

The ABS braking system has a drying function to maintain stopping power in the wet, a hill-start assist, brakeforce distribution and is linked to the e lectronic stability and traction control. Hit the anchors hard and the brake lights flash to provide extra warning to following cars. It sounds simple, but definitely grabs the attention of anyone travelling behind the wagon.

Sensors monitor driver behaviour and advise, via an illuminated coffee cup in the display panel, when a break is needed. If a crash does occur, the headrests push forward to reduce the risk of whiplash and the steering wheel and pedals are designed to collapse to give the driver extra room.

The rearwards-facing third-row seats have enought headroom and legroom to even toss a couple of adults in for cross-town commutes and they're nearly as comfortable as the second-row seats.

DRIVING

HIT the start button and head out of town and the big wagon feels small. It more than holds its own in the city where the blind spot assist and lane departure warning systems give extra reassurance, but it is out on the open road where the 500Nm can be put to best use. With that much torque the five-speed auto box isn't the handicap it might be on paper, remind E350 owners about the fuel use if they start bragging about their seven-speed transmission.

Acceleration from 60km/h up is jaw-droppingly quick for this type of car and it's only under full throttle that the diesel makes itself heard. The rest of the time is a fairly serene, but not uninvolved drive, irrespective of the speed. And even hooking in only pushes the fuel consumption into the low 7-litre range.

The leather-upholstered seats cosset both front occupants without deadening seat-of-the-pants (or skirt) feedback. The adaptive dampers switch from plush to performance as the weight loads up to keep the car flat and poised even through hairpin turns. And unless you're doing something wrong, the six passengers won't notice a thing. And that's not bad for a people-mover, no matter the price.

MERCEDES-BENZ E250 CDI ESTATE

Price: from $105,500
Engine: 2.1-litre turbodiesel
Power: 150kW at 4200 revs
Torque: 500Nm from 1600-1800 revs
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel type, tank: Diesel, 59 litres
Fuel use, CO2 emissions: 6.3 litres/100km, 153g/km