2021 Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line review - "Not just a pretty face"

By sep, 08 December 2021

The Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line might look great, but is it any good to drive?

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the facelifted CKD E-Class back in July and it comes in two different flavours - the A 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line. We got our hands on what's arguably the better-looking duo, the E 300 to see if it's just more than another pretty face from the brand. In short, yes. Yes, it is.

Priced at RM375,432 (OTR excluding insurance), the E 300 is roughly around RM50,000 more than the base E 200. So, what makes it more expensive, and is the price difference really make up the difference in terms of what the more expensive E 300 AMG Line has to offer?

For starters, the E 300 definitely has that slightly sportier facade thanks to all of its AMG-line bits and pieces which include the grille pattern, bumper inserts, and wheels. Some folks might find its 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels a bit odd with that inner-ring design, but we find it quite tasteful.

There are also the Multibeam LED headlights with 'Ultra Range' high beams that effortlessly light up the way and are far more superior than what you would find on the E 200 variant. The whole offering kind of ties the exterior look together, and we can't deny the fact that the E 300 looks damn good judging from its side profile.

The insides are just as fancy with the Widescreen Cockpit setup giving one heck of a first impression thanks to its double 12.3-inch displays equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system. Going through the menu is quite easy even while driving, and we especially feel that the sound quality has been dramatically improved that to its newly-included Burmester speakers.

Other exclusive bits that you'll find in the E 300 compared to the E 200 are the panoramic sliding sunroof, leather seats, and another favourite that completely elevates the E 300 overall style miles and bounds ahead of the E 200, its open-pore black ash wood trim. Total class, this.

There's no denying that the E 300 is hella comfortable no matter where you sit, but if you prefer the one behind the steering wheel, then what's under the hood might help you decide between this and the E 200. Both of them are fitted with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-banger plus a nine-speed automatic transmission, but the E 300 is tuned to have more power at 258hp and 370Nm of torque (the E 200 only has 197hp and 320Nm of torque).

This means that the E 300 is able to hit 0-100km/h in just 6.2 seconds (1.2 seconds faster than the E 200) before arriving at its limited top speed of 250km/h. But for normal everyday driving scenarios like going to the office won't be that big of a difference (unless you're the type that always prefers the 'pedal to the metal' lifestyle). Fuel mileage is gauged at around 7 litres/100km, but our slightly heavier right foot clocked in at a more realistic 9-10 litres per 100km, which is still a good figure as well.

The RM50k price difference is also calculated based on the extra kit given in the E 300's Driving Assistance package. The price tag also includes active distance assist (Distronic), active steering assist, active brake assist, active lane-keeping assist, active blind spot assist, and Pre-Safe Plus together with active parking assist with Parktronic and a 360-degree camera. In other words, the E 300 is almost effortless to drive on a daily basis.

At the end of it all, fans of the latest CKD E-Class have two unique options whether it's the more low-profile E 200 or the slightly more flamboyant E 300. We feel that the whole package formed by the E 300 AMG Line is a much better deal despite the RM50k price difference, from looks right down to overall performance. If there's ever a time to invest in an E-Class, now would be a great time because of the E 300 AMG Line.