The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a large executive car from the Stuttgart-based manufacturer, and forms part of the fifth generation of the car - also known as the W213 - which first appeared in 2016 and wasn’t replaced until 2023. 2017 was the year that the coupe and convertible variants joined the saloon and estate versions in the E-Class line-up, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to bodystyle. There’s also lots of choice when it comes to specifications, with a variety of engines and trim levels offered. If you don’t happen to be a fan of the big Merc, then alternatives include the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.

Strengths:

Lots of choice over specification
Very practical in saloon and estate form
Comfortable ride and posh interior

Weaknesses:

Rivals from Audi and BMW are sharper to drive
Mainstream rivals will cost considerably less
AMG models have painfully high running costs

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class better than the 2017 BMW 5 Series?

If driving fun lies at the top of your agenda for your next executive car, then no, probably not. That role is played far more ably by the BMW 5 Series. That’s because Mercedes has focused solely (with the exception of the high-performance AMG models, of course) on making their executive-car offering the most comfortable and cosseting car in the class. And boy, did it succeed, with ride comfort that’s slick enough to almost rival even the S-Class limousine.