Mercedes E-Class E350e gallery

The E350e is the plug-in hybrid model of the Mercedes E-Class range

It competes directly against the BMW 540e iPerformance and Infiniti Q70 plug-in hybrid models

Its 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor produce 282bhp when they work together

Performance is strong up to about 60mph, but then tails off. This is no sports saloon

The plush, well-appointed interior is among the E-Class' strongest attributes

E350e models come with the COMAND Online infotainment system as standard....

...but an additional 12.3-inch dashboard screen in place of conventional instruments is optional

Infotainment is controlled by a central rotary controller, via voice control or using steering wheel mounted buttons

Infotainment features include 3D mapping, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and online services.

The central screen also accesses information and settings for the car and its plug-in hybrid system

There's ample interior space for those in the front and the back, head and legroom are both generous

The boot is far smaller than other E-Class saloon models, though – 400-litres rather than 540 litres.