Driven: 2017 Mercedes E220d Cabriolet

The final piece of the E-Class jigsaw, but is the 2.0-litre diesel the perfect fit?

It’s a four-piece jigsaw, and here’s the final bit to slot in with the saloon, coupe and estate versions of the latest E-Class from Mercedes. You could have a BMW 4 Series Convertible or an Audi A5 Cabriolet, or you could go for this Merc cabriolet, in this instance with the 2.0-litre diesel. Is that a winning combination?

This is a big, heavy car so you might imagine that a 2.0-litre four-cylinder isn’t going to cut the mustard but actually this engine is surprisingly smooth and, with 295lb ft of torque, it’s got the mustard sliced and spread. Cruising around the 70mph mark gives an almost inaudible response from the engine, yet it is well within its comfort zone. All that and about 40mpg.

Another reason to think this engine is a good fit is that this Mercedes exhibits a similar trait to a lot of other cabrios, including the two mentioned earlier. With the roof gone, there’s a loss of structural rigidity, meaning you’re aware of a certain amount of flex and shimmy in the chassis.

That in turn means the suspension struggles to keep all its ducks in a row, which results in steering which can feel inconsistent and a handling response that really doesn’t benefit from being pushed hard. Roll, flex and shimmy may be cool dance moves in a dad dancing kind of way, but they’re not what you want in your cool car.

Better then to back off and relax into a bit of smooth-style, and then you can enjoy things a bit more. In keeping with the more sensible engine, our test vehicle had the standard steel springs, and they do struggle to cope with choppy roads, particularly at lower speeds. We know from experience that the optional air suspension really does make a difference here, but then that’s another £1495.

So, let’s kick back and enjoy driving steadily with the roof down. You can put it up or down at up to 31mph and actually it’s remarkably buffet-free with it down and remarkably quiet with it up, certainly more than most of the competition.

Those in the front will appreciate the standard-fit Airscarf, which blows warm air to keep your upper body and head warm – ideal for a chilly drive with the roof down.

Beneath that roof the cabin looks and feels like a class act, with lots of lovely wood and chrome trim to please the eye. The Comand infotainment system works well but, if you have yet more budget, the 12.3in system is worth the £495. This is really a two-seater, with space in the rear for children or grandchildren, and a decent amount of boot space.

The downside of this fourth E-Class is the jittery ride, courtesy of losing the roof. But then all the competitors suffer from the same malady, so that sort of cancels out if you’re in the market for a drop-top. And everything else is just great.

We think this makes the best combination, the Cabriolet with the 2.0-litre diesel engine. It’s quite quick enough for the chassis, is smooth and refined, torquey and spirited, yet has a sensible price tag and running costs.

---

Mercedes E220d AMG Line Cabriolet

Price	£44,675
Engine	4cyl, 1950cc diesel
Power	191bhp at 3800rpm
Torque	295lb ft at 1600-2800rpm
Gearbox	9-spd automatic
0-62mph	7.7sec
Top speed	147mph
Official economy	57.7mpg
CO2, tax band	126g/km, 27%