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Mercedes-BenzE-class (2009-2016)

Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Used only

£5,845Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

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With high technology aplenty and sharp looks, the Mercedes-Benz E-class saloon, launched in 2009, has a broader appeal than its rather conservative-looking predecessors. In the tough luxury-car market, just how competitive is the Mercedes E-class? Find out in our full road test review.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Mercedes-Benz's cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Jun 2009First reviewed by Which?
Jun 2009Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectiveness of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performance is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£5,845 - £14,299
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	32.8 to 57.6mpg
Length	4,868 to 4,879mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,854mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,080mm
Height	1,471 to 1,474mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.45 m
On sale date	11 June 2009
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£11.10

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	E220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition Avantgarde 7G-TRONIC PLUS
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2.1-litre (170hp)
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	59 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	11.1p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£83
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	128
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	27 September 2013
Test programme	2012-2016

Engine two
Engine and trim name	E250 Avantagarde 7G-Tronic Plus
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	2-litre (211hp)
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	59 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	14.23p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£79
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	154
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1900kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	16 May 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine three
Engine and trim name	E220CDI BlueEff Elegance automatic
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2.1-litre (170hp)
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	59 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	15.13p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£83
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	2000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	07 April 2009
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine four
Engine and trim name	E350 CDI BlueTEC Elegance 7G-Tronic (DPF)
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	3-litre (211hp)
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	80 litres
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	29 January 2010
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine five
Engine and trim name	E250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Elegance Automatik
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.8-litre (204hp)
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	59 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	18.58p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£81
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	1900kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	11 December 2009
Car test programme	2001-2012

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Mercedes-BenzE-class (2009-2016)

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

BMW

Audi

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Mercedes-BenzE-class (2009-2016)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

BMW

Audi

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