Mercedes E-Class saloon and Estate updated for 2020

The Mercedes E-Class has been given a mid-life nip and tuck, with a comprehensive redesign inside and out, plus extra kit and new technology features. The saloon and Estate versions are on sale now, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the autumn; Coupe and Cabriolet versions are due to be revealed later.

Included in the revised line-up will be facelifted versions of the E 300 e (petrol) and E 300 de (diesel) plug-in hybrid models. These models carry over their respective powertrains, albeit with a slight increase in power for the petrol-electric hybrid, which now has a total output of 328bhp. The diesel model's total output remains unchanged, at 302bhp. Both use the same 13.5kWh battery, which Mercedes claims can be charged from a home wallbox in 1.8 hours.

Prices for the facelifted E 300 e start at £46,230 for the Saloon in AMG Line Edition trim, while the E 300 de in the same trim starts at £47,480 in saloon form, or £49,480 for the Estate. The petrol-electric hybrid is only offered as a saloon. 

The plug-in hybrid E-Class models are offered in AMG Line Edition, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus trims, with each step bringing more technological upgrades and luxurious features. Highlights include adaptive LED headlights, augmented reality sat-nav, a panoramic sunroof and a Burmester surround-sound sound system.

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Each new E-Class model gets a set of redesigned headlights and a slimmer set of tail-lights, as well as a reprofiled grille at the front. AMG Line models get new bumpers, and there are three new colour options to choose from.

Inside, every model now gets twin digital screens as standard; previously, basic models used a set of analogue dials paired with a central infotainment display. Buyers can upgrade the two 10.25-inch monitors to a pair of 12.3-inch screens. The E-Class also features the augmented reality navigation setup first seen in the smaller A-Class, whereby arrows are overlaid on footage from a front-facing camera to show you which turn to take.

There’s a whole load of extra safety equipment on board, too, including a new steering wheel with ‘capacitive hands-off detection’ for use in conjunction with the E-Class' adaptive cruise control system, which now features route-based speed adjustment. Most of these features can be had as part of the optional Driver Assistance package, which comes as standard on top-spec AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus cars. 

On top of this, the new E-Class also gets stop-start, steering assistance, braking assistance and blind-spot monitoring, as well as parking assistance with a 360-degree camera featuring an expanded side view. Mercedes says there's now additional “hardware and digital solutions for protection against theft and damage” – following a recent rise in keyless car thefts.

Elsewhere, there are new interior trims to pick from and the driver’s seat now adjusts automatically when you input your height into the car’s media display. Mercedes claims the seating position should only need to be “fine-tuned” after doing this.