If one had to pick a Mercedes-Benz that has clicked really well with the Indian customers, it would have to be the E-Class. It has been on sale since 1995, which means the marque completed two-and-a-half decades in the country. Over that period, nearly 46,000 units have found takers, making the E-Class the most sought-after luxury saloon in India. Things only improved when in 2017, Mercedes-Benz introduced the E-Class in long-wheelbase form. And now, we have the refreshed version.

The E-Class facelift, which first broke cover in March 2020, is available in long-wheelbase form. Prices start at Rs 63.6 lakh and go up to Rs 80.9 lakh. You have three variants – E 200, E 220 d and E 350 d. Customers can purchase the former two in Expression and Exclusive trim levels. As for the last one, that’s exclusively available in the sporty-looking AMG Line. Here’s the variant-wise price list:

The costliest of them all also packs the biggest punch. Propulsion for the E 350 d comes from a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder diesel engine that pumps out 282bhp/600Nm, enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 6.1 seconds. If that is a bit too much for you, the E 220 d should serve well. That comes with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel mill with 192bhp/400Nm on tap. With that engine under the bonnet, the E-Class can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 7.6 seconds. For petrol lovers, the E 200 comes with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder powerplant which generates 194bhp/320Nm. It matches the E 220 d on the standard sprint time. All engines come coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Features? Depending on the variant chosen, the E-Class will come with stuff like two 12.3-inch displays (one each for the instrument cluster and infotainment purposes), the latest generation of MBUX and three-zone climate control. The refreshed sedan also comes with reclining and power-adjustable rear seats with memory function, ambient lighting, full-LED headlamps and taillamps, a panoramic sunroof, soft-closing doors, connect-car tech, AIRBODY Control and multiple driving modes.

The AMG Line variant comes with 18-inch alloys, whereas the rest of the range makes do with 17-inch wheels. There are six colour options, three of which are new. As for the standard warranty, that’s for 3 years. One can also purchase service packages for the E-Class facelift. They start at Rs 67,800 for 2 years/unlimited kilometres.

In India, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift will renew its rivalry with the BMW 5 Series, Volvo S90, Jaguar XF and the Audi A6. If you had to pick one of those, which would it be?