The interiors are typical Mercedes Benz E class, sportiness is purposely mellowed and the classy quotient has to be there - Why else is an analog clock required? The brushed aluminum finish is premium and classy; the feature list is virtually endless. Step inside and you will be cocooned in a class of its own, everything is thoughtfully placed and functional. However, it will take some time to get used to the complexities. The steering is large and leather treated and provides immense grip, neither too light nor too heavy, precise. There are two sets of controls, you can use the left set to navigate through the MID, the MID virtually has a host of indicators and controls and nearly duplicates the COMAND (display interface) for a variety of functions. Pretty easy to use once you get a hang of it. The right hand set of controls helps you use the phone / volume / mute and voice control features.
The E-Class COMAND unit can be controlled by a variety of voice commands and once the voice command button is activated, the display shows you the most relevant voice command for that screen. The horn needs unusually high pressure to activate but sounds really good and different – You might not use them much in Germany but out here in India it’s not exactly bad manners using the horn - it’s more a question of survival. There are 4 stalks besides the steering apart from the paddle shifts, one to control the automatic gear, one for cruise control and speed limit setup and another to control the wipers / washers, high / low beams and side indicators. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you are familiar it all comes easy. The cruise control stalk will probably take the most time getting accustomed. IRVMs are auto-dimming with lights incorporated within. The 4th stalk is to electronically adjust the telescopic steering wheel position.
The instrument cluster features a trio of dials with the central large one for the speedometer/MID integrated functionality, sporty black and white and well backlit, making it very easy to read – in fact it looks so much better at night. The Speedo dial especially is not centrally pivoted but works along the arc from the outside - nice touch and hence Mercedes are able to host the MID within this.
The other dials show the standard stuff like RPM, Engine temperature and fuel gauge. The central dial digital MID displays covering a host of functions and also setup information. You can configure a lot of items here like DRLs, Automatic Door Locks, Ambient Light levels, Attention assist, ESP. The mid features an innovative Eco Display which shows the level of Acceleration, Smooth Driving and Braking. It has a host of other features like displaying FE, trip meter readings, Driving range, Tire pressures, Run Flat Indicators, Service Information, and Audio etc. The right side of the steering has a conventional European style button to operate and switch on the headlamps or put them in an auto mode along with a fog light switch.
The central console looks beautiful with COMAND system. The 14.7 cm TFT display takes prime space however thanks to its in depth positioning it feels a little smaller than what it actually is. It’s a fully integrated Audio / Video / Reverse Cam / Navigation / Communication comprehensive Multimedia system. However, the catch is its not touch screen and in this time and age you will end up trying to press the buttons on the screen expecting it to work – a joystick type turning knob is provided where you usually reach out for your handbrake – this can fully navigate and control the complex COMAND interface (Mercedes nomenclature for the Display). The music system (Mercedes calls it Audio 20 CD) comes with a 6 speaker system - one of the best you will hear in the segment, excellent sound quality with USB, iPod, SD Card and DVD/CD console. Surprisingly even the radio quality is phenomenal, no wonder considering that Mercedes claims in its manual that it uses either a Harman Kardon or Bang and Olufsen.
Below the display system, there are quick navigation buttons to access GPS, Dial the mobile connected or use the multimedia function like audio/video. Below this lies the console hosting Eco button to activate a start stop system, hazard light switch, Rear Seat Head rest and Sun Blind controller and the front bumper sensor disarming button. The bottom most panel is for controlling the front dual zone AC, temperature can be set individually and all the usual functions exist, the front AC vents look a million bucks, crafted to perfection with subtleties in design and aesthetic finish.
There are two functional cubby holes for holding the drinks neatly hidden under a sliding mechanism, also with a 12v charger and removable ash tray to store handy kick-knacks. The open-able central arm rest has a NASA spacecraft like design and opens from the centre with USB and iPod ports hidden neatly inside. Since there is no gear lever or handbrake, space is well utilized for storing handy items. Also the sport and eco mode button is placed here a bit strangely.
The parking brake is rather located below the right switch towards the right of the steering and it’s electric which could be disengaged by just a press of button - this for some reason is not the same as the A Class push pull type, for engaging the parking brake there is a separate lever in the foot well which needs engaging by your left feet. I found this mechanism a bit odd to start with, but adjusted to it in no time. There’s a lot of intelligence put in to release it automatically, it is also automatically engaged when the Hill Hold function brings the vehicle to a halt, the engine is switched off if the driver leaves the vehicle, bonnet is unlocked or the vehicle is still for a longer period of time. All in all it indeed does a lot of thinking for you.
The front seats are extremely plush and comforting, the driver's seat and backrest are electrically controlled using the controls in the door panel. Seat settings can be stored in 3 memory programs and we can have a choice of our position immediately reset, handy especially if there are multiple drivers in the family and you don't have to search for the best position every time, it also stores the ORVM position and steering position for every seat map. There are a plethora of settings available to make sure you find the royal and most comfortable position. Four way lumbar support is an optional accessory provided in the front seats to inflate and deflate the air cushions, worked like a breeze. The front-passenger mirror moves automatically downwards when reverse is engaged for an easy side view rearwards. There is 3 zone Thermotronic climate control system each for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers, each with individual climate control and various modes like Diffuse, Focus and Medium, worked perfectly well.
The rear seats are very comfortable as well and can easily seat 2 adults - thanks to a rather large central transmission hump the middle passenger in the rear will never be as comfortable. Though for the segment this happening is highly unlikely. Thigh support is decent and average and leg room is more than adequate even with a tall driver up front. Separate AC vents at the rear make sure chilling in the rear is more than sufficient. Ingress and egress is fairly standard and things are ergonomically laid out. There is a fold down centre arm rest in the rear seat with 2 integrated cup holders. Both rear side windows come with a manually retractable sun blind and also the rear glass has an electronically operated sun blind. There is a dual section panoramic sunroof with sun blinds as well. There are 4 AC vents apart from the under seat ones, 2 hosted on the door pillars and 2 on the centre with settings available to control rear temperature independently. There is also a 12v charging point available within.
The E Class has a whopping boot space of 540 liters; it’s deep and largely flat. A space saver tyre is neatly placed underneath the booth space.