Evaluation of plug-in hybrid of 2021 Mercedes-Benz E300e： Still not fuel-efficient.

Mercedes-E300e has joined more and more German plug-in hybrid vehicles. But like other PHEV’s, is this also the case that the first two steps retreat?

What do we love?

Spacious and luxurious interior

Exquisite low beam and high beam

A long list of advanced safety technologies.

disadvantage?

The turbogasoline engine is thirsty

The road noise of luxury cars is too loud.

Emergency braking distance difference

introduce

The Mercedes -E300e is the first plug-in hybrid version of a large car with a German brand.

Publicity: Mercedes-E300e promises to run 51km without gasoline by using battery power, and then the gasoline engine will provide 750km theoretical driving under ideal conditions.

It takes about 6 hours for a 13.5kWh car battery pack to be charged using a household power outlet.

Mercedes-E300e was launched at the end of 2019, accounting for about 5% of the sales of the brand’s large luxury cars.

The plug-in hybrid version was updated at the end of 2020, and the remaining modified E-class series redesigned the headlights, hood, trunk, taillights and bumpers at both ends, while the rest of the vehicle remained unchanged.

In terms of price and performance, Mercedes-E300e aims to fill the gap between the four-cylinder E200 and the mild E53 AMG, and share a similar niche market with the recently launched E350 variant.

Although the Mercedes-E series started from E200, it was slightly less than $100,000 before deducting the road cost, but the price of E300e before deducting the option and road cost was $123,500. The example with options tested here totals $140,900, plus road costs.

inside

Mercedes-E300e has an impressive exhibition hall attraction, its ultra-wide high-resolution instrument and infotainment display screen. Matte wood veneer and ambient lighting add a sense of luxury.

Two-zone air conditioning, sensor key with button start, electrically adjustable front seat are part of the package, and there is an electric trunk lid.

Front and rear passengers have ample space for their heads, shoulders, knees and toes.

However, the trunk space is limited by the battery pack, which will form a big step on the trunk floor. It is about one third smaller than the trunk of a standard Mercedes E-Class sedan (370L and 540L).

Infotainment and connectivity

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio and embedded navigation are all standard devices. Mercedes-Benz is one of the few brands that has launched a fast charging USB-C port for smartphone connection.

So you need to buy a new charging cable for your mobile phone, or see if Mercedes dealers will participate in the transaction, if you haven’t run the latest generation of smart phones.

The function of MBUX infotainment system may be counterintuitive at first, because dialing, buttons and sliding actions need practice. Before you leave the showroom, be sure to ask the dealer staff to help you set up your favorite radio station, otherwise you will find a way to figure it out on the way.

After programming, you only need to press a button to make changes.

Safety and technology

Like most Mercedes cars, the E300e is equipped with engineering. This means that standard equipment includes high-speed and low-speed automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control with stop-and-go assistance, speed sign recognition, lane keeping, blind zone warning and rear intersection warning.

Once the car is parked in parallel, the sensor in the rear bumper will also alert the passenger that there is a car or a cyclist approaching when the passenger opens the door. The front and rear parking sensors are supported by a 360-degree camera.

There is also a tire pressure loss monitor, although the tire itself is run flat and can travel short distances. It is also worth noting: excellent LED headlights on low beam and high beam.

be good value

The options will increase soon. Although the starting price of Mercedes E300e is $123,500 plus road cost, the price of the test vehicle is $140,900.

Additional equipment on the test vehicle includes Energizing Plus package (front seat massage function, heated front and rear seats, air conditioning filter) valued at $9,500, innovative package (gesture control, augmented reality navigation) valued at $1,300 and Vision Package (panoramic sunroof, head-up display on windshield and advanced audio) priced at $6,600.

The warranty period for private vehicles is five years/km. The warranty period of car rental and other operators is five years /200,000 kilometers.

The regular maintenance interval is 12 months /25,000 km, whichever comes first. Some people with mechanical background may scoff at the oil change interval of 25,000 kilometers. You are welcome to pour oil more frequently. But 25,000 kilometers is recommended by Mercedes.

The prepaid maximum price service package for routine maintenance is $2,450 for three years, $3,200 for four years and $4,800 for five years. These costs are on the high side.

drive

If you believe the fuel grade label on the windshield-this figure comes from laboratory tests-the fuel consumption of Mercedes E300e is 2.5 liters /100 kilometers, less than half. Mercedes is allowed to advertise this figure, but the current test method (to be revised soon) is flawed when it comes to plug-in hybrid vehicles, because during the laboratory test, the cars sit for a long time with the engine turned off.

In the real world, Mercedes E300e will feel thirsty when it is not driven by its auxiliary 90kW/440Nm motor. The turbo 2.0-liter gasoline engine (at 155KW/350nm)-the paired nine-speed torque converter is automatic-requires the extra weight of all the batteries and motors of Lugar.

That’s why, once the battery is dead, our average fuel consumption is between 8.0L/100km and 10.5L/100km, which is not impressive in the times. Frankly speaking, it is not much better than the old Horton Commodore V6.

The vehicle insists on using the more expensive 98-octane unleaded gasoline, and the fuel tank itself is smaller than the non-hybrid version of Mercedes E-Class (60 liters versus 66 liters).

Using our precise timing equipment, Mercedes E300e completed the sprint of 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. This is the hot hatch. It’s fast, but not as fast as 5.7 seconds claimed by Mercedes.

Most buyers may think it’s split hair. After all, the Mercedes E300e is more about easy cruising than performance. In most cases, it is a comfortable car, but there are some aspects that are not in line with the reputation.

Tire noise is intrusive-hybrid cars are subjectively quieter. We didn’t install noise meters on the two cars, but we spent enough time to notice the difference behind the wheels of the two cars.

Another disappointing measure of Mercedes E300e is emergency braking. Using our precision timing equipment, the car started from 100km/h in 40.2m m. This is similar to the braking performance of ute with equal double cabs-several meters longer than the braking distance we achieved in similar cars and sedans.

conclusion

Mercedes E-Class sedan is usually a good car. However, the plug-in hybrid vehicle is a two-step forward and one-step backward situation, because it will not provide excellent fuel economy unless electricity is mainly used.

It can also benefit from quiet and exquisite improvement. If you are single-minded, the basic model E200 may be a better choice and save you $20,000 in the process.

If you are willing to consider a luxury car of similar size with another badge, then the super frugal and quiet ES Hybrid is worth seeing.