The relationship between the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and diesel power in India dates back three decades, to the W124 in 1995. In 2025, while rivals have largely abandoned diesel, Mercedes persists with the E 220d now the only luxury sedan in its segment to carry a “D” badge. The question is not nostalgia; it is relevance. Can the E 220d still deliver a superior luxury experience and long-distance ease for which the E-Class is famous? Short answer: yes, with caveats.
Table of Contents
Design and Engineering: Elegance Over Aggression (9/10)
The E 220d mirrors the E 200’s understated Avantgarde trim rather than the sportier AMG Line of the E 450. That means classic E-Class elegance: balanced proportions, clean surfacing, and tasteful detailing. A new Verde Silver paint marks one year of the V214 in India and adds a green-tinted sophistication that’s fresher than the usual blues and blacks. Wheels are identical to the petrol Avantgarde; the only exterior giveaway is the E 220d badge. If you value a stately, executive presence over shouty sport cues, this spec nails it.
Quick Summary
Key Points |
Details |
|---|---|
Variant Reviewed |
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (V214) E 220d, Avantgarde |
Powertrain |
2.0-litre turbo-diesel, 197 hp, 440 Nm, 9-speed automatic, 48V mild hybrid |
What Stands Out |
Best-in-class rear-seat experience, effortless highway overtakes, 800+ km real-world tank range |
Ride & Handling |
Plush ride on steel suspension with Selective Damping; surprisingly nimble steering |
Features |
Triple-screen “Superscreen,” Burmester 4D audio (front), four-zone climate, app library, in-car camera, powered sunblinds |
Misses |
No ventilated front seats, no rear media controls; diesel refinement not as silky as petrol |
Practicality |
Full 540-litre boot usable thanks to space-saver mounting; chauffeur controls at rear |
Price (Ex-Showroom India) |
Approx. Rs 80.5 lakh after ~Rs 4.5 lakh reduction due to recent GST reforms |
Who Should Buy |
Chauffeur-driven owners and frequent inter-city travelers prioritising range and relaxed torque |
Official Site |
Cabin, Space, and Comfort: Chauffeur Class Excellence (10/10)
Step inside and the “Superscreen” dominates—12.3-inch driver display, 14.4-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger screen. Upholstery choices include tan, cream, and all-black. Front seats are broad and supportive; instead of ventilation they offer Seat Kinetics that subtly adjusts lumbar and bolsters at intervals to reduce fatigue on long drives.
Rear-seat comfort is the benchmark: generous legroom, reclining backrests, powered sunblinds for side windows and rear windscreen, plush headrest pillows, and a split panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light. A standard Chauffeur Pack lets the rear-left passenger electrically adjust the front-passenger seat for extra stretch-space. The fold-down centre armrest integrates a wireless charger and additional storage. If being driven is your priority, nothing in the class is more pampering.
Features and Safety: Tech-Rich, With a Few Omissions (8/10)
Beyond the three-screen layout, you get a Burmester 4D audio system (front seats), an in-car camera for video calls, app library for entertainment, four-zone climate control, and digital AC vents. ADAS brings a suite of active safety assists, and importantly, if you switch them off, they remain off at the next start addressing a common owner irritation.
Two misses stand out at this price: ventilated front seats and dedicated rear media controls. Practicality is excellent, though: a space-saver spare mounted under the boot floor preserves the entire 540-litre luggage bay, enough for full-size suitcases on a weekend or airport run.
Performance and Refinement: Effortless Torque, Not Whisper-Quiet (8/10)
The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel makes 197 hp and 440 Nm, paired with a 9-speed automatic and a 48V mild-hybrid assist. On paper, the diesel’s extra 120 Nm over the petrol promises easy thrust. In practice, refinement is a mixed bag. There is a noticeable thrum at idle and mild vibrations through the seat and wheel; past 3,000 rpm, engine note re-enters the cabin. It never feels coarse, but the petrol is undeniably silkier.
Where the diesel shines is real-world pace. Acceleration is brisk and progressive rather than dramatic, but the broad, low-rpm torque band and quick-thinking 9-speed make highway overtakes near-effortless. Drop a couple gears, dispatch two trucks, and the transmission smoothly returns to ninth for a hushed cruise. Performance metrics broadly mirror the E 200, but the diesel’s ease at speed is what makes long journeys feel shorter.
Efficiency and Range: Diesel Magic (9/10)
Luxury buyers may not chase mileage numbers, yet the E 220d’s 800-plus-kilometre single-tank range is a tangible advantage. It cuts down fuel stops on Bengaluru–Goa or Delhi–Ramgarh runs and reduces ownership hassle for frequent highway users. Do remember to top up AdBlue periodically, but if your use case is inter-city commuting or weekend getaways, the diesel earns its keep every month.
Ride and Handling: Plush, Calm, and Confidence-Inspiring (9/10)
Despite the diesel engine’s added weight, the ride remains composed. There is no adaptive damping; instead, Mercedes employs Agility Control Suspension with a Selective Damping System that continuously reacts to surface changes. Sharp edges are rounded off, body movements are well tied down, and passengers feel insulated from broken tarmac. With a near-3.1-metre wheelbase, you still have to respect extra-tall speed breakers, but standard humps are handled cleanly.
Handling is better than you might expect for a long-wheelbase limo. Steering is accurate and light in default, adding heft in sportier modes. There’s no 4Matic here, but the chassis balance keeps things reassuring in fast sweepers. It is not a sport sedan, yet it is more agile than the silhouette suggests.
Price, Policy, and Verdict: Know Your Use Case (8/10)
Following recent GST changes, the E 220d’s ex-showroom price sits around Rs 80.5 lakh roughly Rs 4.5 lakh lower than before. With no direct diesel rival left, it occupies a niche of one. However, policy realities matter: in Delhi-NCR, diesel cars face a shorter 10-year registration life, which can impact long-term resale. If you live in such regions, the E 200 petrol is the safer bet for depreciation and refinement.
For everyone else especially those doing frequent inter-city runs the E 220d is the smarter E-Class. It trades a bit of petrol smoothness for meaningful gains in range and long-haul effortlessness, while preserving class-leading rear-seat luxury. Three decades on, the diesel E-Class still makes a compelling case.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best rear-seat comfort in the segment
- Huge real-world range and relaxed highway pace
- Plush ride quality with confident stability
- Practical 540-litre boot fully usable
- Rich tech suite and thoughtful ADAS behaviour
Cons
- Diesel idle thrum and mild vibrations
- No ventilated front seats, no rear media controls
- Diesel lifespan and resale concerns in certain regions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Is the E 220d significantly quicker than the E 200?
On paper, torque is much higher, but real-world acceleration feels similarly brisk rather than outright faster. The diesel’s advantage is effortless overtaking and lower-rpm shove on highways.
2) How comfortable is the rear seat for long journeys?
Outstanding. Reclining backrests, powered sunblinds, plush pillows, four-zone climate, and the Chauffeur Pack make it the most comfortable rear bench in its class.
3) Does the E 220d get ventilated front seats?
No. The car uses Seat Kinetics that subtly adjusts support to reduce fatigue, but it does not offer seat ventilation in this trim.
4) What real-world fuel range can I expect?
Expect 800 km or more per tank in mixed highway usage, depending on driving style and conditions, which is a key reason to pick the diesel.
5) Is ADAS intrusive in everyday traffic?
Controls are straightforward, and if you disable the assists, they remain off when you restart, avoiding repeated menu dives.
6) How practical is the boot for airport runs?
Very. The space-saver mounting preserves the full 540-litre capacity, accommodating multiple large suitcases.
7) Should Delhi-NCR buyers avoid the diesel?
Not necessarily, but factor in the 10-year limit on diesel registration and potential resale impact. If these are concerns, consider the E 200 petrol.
Official Website: Mercedes-Benz India – E-Class
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