Anyone hoping Merc’s ‘bridging model’ technique means the E-Class’s inside stays conventional will probably be dissatisfied: our Superscreen-equipped check automotive is wall-to-wall show, however the MBUX system is, at the very least, the most effective for usability.
Most of the interface is similar as in different current Mercedes, so virtually every thing is managed by way of a giant display, with a row of bodily shortcut buttons giving entry to driving modes and automobile settings.
The superior voice management can activate lesser-used features which may in any other case require a trawl by menus, or you may simply say “Hey Mercedes, set mood lighting to yellow” in a single go, relatively than ready for it to acknowledge you.
Where the person expertise has taken a baffling backwards step is with the local weather controls. In different Mercedes, the temperature and fan controls are completely on display, however right here it’s essential to open a menu first. The format doesn’t save house on display (not that it must) and is tougher to make use of.
We have criticised some current Mercedes fashions for his or her inside high quality, however this E-Class appears to halt, if not utterly reverse, the pattern. Most issues really feel solidly constructed and the supplies are pleasing.
For an ICE-powered saloon, it’s decently sensible, too. Having the gear selector on the steering column leaves the tall centre console free for storage, and the carpeted door bins are fairly large.
In a world of EVs, the rear leg room in a longitudinally engined exec saloon can disappoint. Nevertheless, there’s barely extra right here than within the new 5 Series, and head room is plentiful even for tall adults. The boot is 20 litres greater than that of the BMW 520i.
Multimedia system
Mercedes’ MBUX interface has been with us for just a few years now. It has at all times distinguished itself with its ‘zero-layer’ idea, which places navigation, media controls and ceaselessly used features on the house display completely so none of them requires any menu-diving to function.
We have remarked within the ‘Interior’ part (see reverse) that the local weather controls have sadly gone rogue and retreated right into a menu, however other than that, the remaining works largely as earlier than.
The navigation is obvious and straightforward to program, and whereas the ‘augmented reality’ perform isn’t particularly useful, it’s at the very least simply turned off. Phone mirroring is built-in properly and can be utilized wirelessly or wired.
Increasingly, features are tied to having a Mercedes Me account. Our check automotive had not been correctly configured so we didn’t expertise the total performance of the navigation’s site visitors info or voice management. This received’t be a difficulty for many homeowners, but it surely nonetheless appears an pointless complication that these features received’t work correctly on the ‘guest’ profile.