Test drive Mercedes E 280 against Volvo S80: peace and comfort
When it comes to comfort, safety and prestige, these two cars have a lot to show. In a comparative test, they look at each other Volvo S80 3.2 and Mercedes E 280.
In fact, both cars are definitely not cheap - the price of the S80 in the middle of the three "Summum" configuration lines starts at 100 leva, and the E 625 Elegance is slightly more expensive. However, the truth is that the price difference between the two cars is much larger, as things like leather upholstery, bi-xenon headlights, 280-inch wheels, etc. that come standard on a Volvo are available at a Mercedes for an extra charge. . . However, owners of the E 17 are pleased that the E-Class's customization options are much richer than in the S280 - the German car even offers options such as four-zone automatic air conditioning.
Two six-cylinder engines with different concepts
As for the technology of the two cars, the roads the designers worked on could hardly be different. The S80 is driven by the front wheels and the engine is transverse, while the E 280 has a longitudinal engine and rear wheel drive. In this case, the Mercedes concept is clearly much more successful. It's an almost perfect compromise between safe driving and good comfort. Equipped with the standard E-Class suspension, the E 280 rides tight but comfortable enough and rolls over bumps with a pleasing smoothness. When cornering, the direct control of the steering system and the neutral behavior in the border mode create a feeling of safety and precision, which proves invaluable during long driving.
Technological progress is important, but that's not all
Volvo obviously wasn't able to handle this complex twine of varying quality as well, which becomes apparent when you enter the corner at higher speeds. Driving pleasure is further reduced by (frequent) visits to petrol stations. Add to this the more harmonious Mercedes drivetrain and the even higher performance of the E-Class, and the result of the duel becomes unequivocal. There is no doubt that Volvo's flagship is much better than its predecessor and looks positively stylish and elegant, offering a sophisticated alternative to the best-selling models in its segment. But to challenge the E-Class' leadership position, the Swede needs more than just a plethora of technical innovation. And yet: for sworn fans of Swedish cars, Volvo's new top model is not only a really good car, but also a way of thinking and a different worldview.
Text: Wolfgang Koenig, Boyan Boshnakov
Photo: Reinhard Schmidt
2020-08-30
