Nothing says “you’ve made it” like pulling up in a superbly understated luxury sedan. This month, we help you pick your new ride with a boardroom stoush between three award-winning luxo-barges.
STEPPING up into the world of corporate middle management means getting a few perks: a customary celebratory dinner, your own office, maybe even your own parking lot.
Filling that last one demands a bit of creative thought. Nowadays, even cheaper cars look pretty good compared to, say, a decade ago, but you wouldn’t be caught dead driving anything without a German badge.
That’s where the Lexus ES250 comes in. With its newest executive sedan, Lexus’ efforts of fighting the Deutschen incumbents have paid off with the ES250 emerging as the Best Luxury Sedan in our 2018 ST-Torque awards. Can the way of the samurai once again cut through the competition here?
Easily its most accomplished 5 Series yet, BMW’s seventhgeneration 520i has morphed into an excellent all-rounder, delivering trademark driving dynamics but cosseting its occupants in luxurious surroundings. Keen drivers will appreciate its communicative steering, while the lucky chauffeured will love the plush rear seats.
And plushness is something Mercedes-Benz drivers know lots about. The E200 is the quintessential – some say unassailable – executive sedan of choice, and which most Singaporeans automatically associate with status and wealth. But in this company, can the threepointed star still shine bright?
Get your pens out, and let’s see which tender wins the contract.
LEXUS ES250 2.5 vs BMW 520i LUXURY 2.0 vs MERCEDES-BENZ E200 2.0
ENGINE & GEARBOX
Lexus’s naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder motor is the strongest, developing 203hp, but the 247Nm of torque is the smallest. The power is only accessible high up in the rev range, so working the engine hard introduces some harshness.
ES250’s 8-speed automatic is relatively seamless in daily traffic, but least responsive to sudden throttle inputs than the other two.
ENGINE & GEARBOX
BMW’s turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder with 184hp and 290Nm of torque provides plenty of poke and just about edges the Mercedes out for smoothness under medium acceleration, though you can occasionally hear it.
520i’s 8-speed automatic is the most responsive to throttle inputs, promptly dropping down the gears when you flex your right foot for an overtake.
ENGINE & GEARBOX
Mercedes-Benz’s turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder matches BMW’s 184hp but puts out 300Nm of torque, giving it more effortless acceleration and is quieter than the BMW under load.
E200’s 9-speed automatic blends gears together seamlessly but is less responsive to sudden throttle inputs than BMW’s 8-speeder.
RIDE & HANDLING
The most limo-like out of all three with a soft and compliant ride. A bit of oldfashioned elegance about it, but that’s no bad thing at all. Steering is accurate but ultimately doesn’t convey much information, unlike the BMW.
RIDE & HANDLING
Easily the sportiest of the trio to drive, with incisive and accurate steering goading the keen driver on. Comfortable ride arguably matches the Mercedes’, but the three-pointed star still has the last laugh.
RIDE & HANDLING
Agility in corners has been traded for more comfort-oriented tuning in the E200, but its target market won’t mind. A more serene and composed ride compared with the BMW.
LEXUS ES250 2.5 vs BMW 520i LUXURY 2.0 vs MERCEDES-BENZ E200 2.0
ES250
COCKPIT
Most dynamic cockpit design is ultimately more functional than elegant in this company. Buttons are lovely to press but their sheer number can be bewildering. Infotainment system is comprehensive but takes some getting used to, but at least you’ll be in the comfiest seats while trying to figure it out.
METERS
Main display is extremely clear and easy to read but can feel cramped with lots of information being displayed. Extensive sub-menus are the most comprehensive of the trio.
BACKSEAT
Rear seat passengers can move the front passenger seat forward for more legroom, and it’s easily the most limolike experience for the rear passengers, with window shades and controls for the aircon and rear blinds. That said, foot space beneath the front seats is at a premium and there’s limited headroom for the middle occupant.
520i
COCKPIT
Most driver-focussed cockpit, with dashboard angled towards the driver. BMW’s iDrive is the most intuitive, and the centre stack has the best melding of analogue and digital. There are knobs/ buttons for essentials like air-con and the radio, and screens for everything else.
METERS
All-digital instrument panel is large and clear, but can feel a bit busy compared to the Mercedes’ display. The dials are the sportiest-looking of the trio.
BACKSEAT
Most spacious bench of the three with the strongest air-con blowers. Lots of storage options for rear seat passengers, who benefit from the widest-swinging rear doors that make ingress and egress a doddle.
E200
COCKPIT
Most avant-garde cockpit of the trio, with two massive 12.3-inch screens. Clearer and simpler cockpit layout eclipses the frenetic Lexus’ in comparison, but glossy finish attracts fingerprints.
METERS
Edges out the BMW’s all-digital display for attractiveness. Dials have the most configurations, with a wealth of information presented to the driver.
BACKSEAT
E200’s backseat is not small by any means, but the BMW fractionally edges it out for shoulder room. Wide-opening doors mean ingress and egress is easy, while large rear adjustable cupholders in the centre armrest fit almost any beverage size. Nicer place to sit in than the BMW.
LEXUS ES250 2.5 vs BMW 520i LUXURY 2.0 vs MERCEDES-BENZ E200 2.0
"THE ES250 HAS THE MOST LIMO-LIKE RIDE, THE 520i IS THE BEST DRIVE, WHILE THE E200 IS THE MOST REFINED."
BOOT
ES250’s 420-litre boot is the smallest of the trio but offers very usable space and is better-shaped than the BMW’s. The boot’s large aperture makes loading large items in it a breeze. Has tethering points but no 12-volt socket.
BOOT
E200’s regularlysized 540-litre cargo compartment is the best here. It is also the most usable, but like the ES250, has no option to drop the rear backrests, unlike the BMW.
BOOT
520i’s 530-litre stowage is just 10 litres smaller than the E200’s its irregular shape makes it the least useful. Sole contender with a 12volt socket lets you plug in things like a vacuum cleaner.
LEXUS ES250 2.5 vs BMW 520i LUXURY 2.0 vs MERCEDES-BENZ E200 2.0
LAST WORD
The sleek and sporty Lexus ES250 is straight from a Japanese businessman’s checklist: large C-pillars to shade your face from the hoi polloi, and threequarter-window shades for enhanced privacy. A vocal engine and tight foot space keep it from rising further, but it remains very much a fullyfeatured and assertive contender in this group.
The ES250 is for someone who loves to be chauffeured and enjoys controlling the in-car technological amenities from their rear-seat perch. It’s a very un-German car, and for the better.
The Mercedes-Benz E200 speaks volumes for itself. The baby S-Class, long a favourite of the progeny of towkays, maintains its enduring tradition of offering a blissful ride and on-demand performance, all while being wrapped up in a gorgeous body.
This time, Mercedes has truly ticked all the luxury boxes, and then some. The all-glass digital cockpit is something out of a Boeing business jet, and we love the elegant simplicity that Mercedes has worked across its new cabins.
But for all its plushness, the E200’s drive could do with a bit more sparkle, and that is where the final contender comes in.
The BMW 5 Series was never the original go-to choice for executives looking for a comfortable and spacious car.
But in this generation, BMW has engineered the 520i to be everything the young business exec needs in driving dynamics and interior tech. Even if you’re of slightly senior disposition, the ride comfort should mollify you.
Overall, with its driver-focused bent and competent luxury, the 520i edges the E200 out as a better all-rounder. If you’re looking for space, pace and grace, the 520i has got it all.
E200 key (left) wins the fob sweepstakes for being the classiest and feeling the nicest in hand; BMW 520i key (bottom) is the only one to let you press the logo to unlock the car; ES250 key (right) follows the car’s design aesthetic and looks futuristic, but feels too a bit too plasticky.
LEXUS ES250 LUXURY 2.5 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 2487cc
BORE X STROKE 87.5mm x 103.4mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 13:1
MAX POWER 203hp at 6600rpm
MAX TORQUE 247Nm at 5000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 125.3hp per tonne
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 9.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 210km/h
CONSUMPTION 15.1km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 150g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Double wishbones, coil springs
BRAKES FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
SIZE 235/45 R18
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 10
TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4975mm
WIDTH 1865mm
HEIGHT 1445mm
WHEELBASE 2870mm
KERB WEIGHT 1620kg
TURNING CIRCLE 5.9m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $228,800 (no VES rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
MERCEDES-BENZ E200 EXCLUSIVE 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1991cc
BORE X STROKE 83mm x 92mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.8:1
MAX POWER 184hp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 300Nm at 1200-4000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 114.6hp per tonne
GEARBOX 9-speed automatic with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Rear
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 7.7 seconds
TOP SPEED 240km/h
CONSUMPTION 15.9km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 142g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT Independent multi-link, coil springs
REAR Independent multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Pirelli Cinturato P7
SIZE 245/45 R18 (front), 275/40 R18 (rear)
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 8
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4923mm
WIDTH 1852mm
HEIGHT 1468mm
WHEELBASE 2939mm
KERB WEIGHT 1605kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.6m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $254,888 (no VES rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
BMW 520i LUXURY 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1998cc
BORE X STROKE 82mm x 94.6mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 11.0:1
MAX POWER 184hp at 5000-6500rpm
MAX TORQUE 290Nm at 1350-4250rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 114.6hp per tonne
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Rear
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 7.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 235km/h
CONSUMPTION 18.5km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 124g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Hankook Ventus S1 Evo
SIZE 245/45 R18
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 10
TRACTION AIDS ABS, DSC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4936mm
WIDTH 1868mm
HEIGHT 1479mm
WHEELBASE 2975mm
KERB WEIGHT 1605kg
TURNING CIRCLE 12.1m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE S255,888 (no VES rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
