The Mercedes E300 can be regarded as a representative of mid-to-large luxury cars, while the Xiaomi SU7 is positioned as a C-class coupe. Lei Jun claims it is the best car to drive under 500.000 yuan. With the advantages of new energy and intelligence, its sales have exceeded 20.000 units in just three months after launch. However, there is a huge price difference between the two cars: the entry-level Mercedes E300 costs 500.000 yuan, while the entry-level Xiaomi SU7 costs less than half of that.
So, what is the difference in driving experience between these two cars with such a huge price gap?
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Mercedes E300 Driving Experience
The Mercedes E300 is very comfortable to drive, especially with its 48V mild hybrid system, which further resolves low-speed jerking issues, allowing its 2.0T engine to fully play its strengths. It boasts a maximum horsepower of 258 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm.
At high speeds, the power remains ample, especially when accelerating and overtaking. A deep press on the accelerator prompts the 9-speed automatic transmission to downshift quickly, providing greater power output. The interior quietness of the Mercedes E300 is well-maintained, with most of the noise at high speeds being wind noise.
In city driving, it is generally very comfortable. Unless you pay close attention, you can hardly feel the gear shifting. The chassis uses front and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort, aligning with the elegant positioning of the Mercedes. Driving the Mercedes E300 offers both prestige and a luxurious interior feel.
Xiaomi SU7 Driving Experience
I have also driven the Xiaomi SU7 for a long time. It is 10 cm shorter than the Mercedes E300 but 10 cm wider, giving it a lower stance. In reality, the Xiaomi SU7 is nearly 10 cm taller than the E300. achieving the lowest drag coefficient for a production car at only 0.195cd compared to E300's 0.23cd.
Driving the Xiaomi SU7 feels completely different from the Mercedes E300. Even the lowest configuration with a rear single motor can deliver a maximum horsepower of 299 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm, showcasing the advantage of electric cars, which never lack power.
The Xiaomi SU7 delivers a strong sense of acceleration, going from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, over a second faster than the E300. This difference is quite significant in real driving. Moreover, the SU7's acceleration is more linear, without any jerks, providing smooth power output as long as you control the throttle well.
Even at high speeds, this linear acceleration is maintained. It's undeniable that in terms of power, electric cars completely outperform traditional fuel cars.
Chassis Comparison
Although the Xiaomi SU7 is Xiaomi's first car, its configuration and tuning are first-rate. The front double wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension can filter out most small vibrations on the road, with larger vibrations being more resilient.
Compared to the E300. the Xiaomi SU7's chassis is tuned more sportily. At high speeds, it handles lane changes very well, making it very fun to drive. This is just the low configuration; the high configuration includes air suspension and CDC variable damping shock absorbers, taking driving and riding comfort to the next level.
Interior Comfort and Technology
The Xiaomi SU7's flashy exterior design also affects the overall ride comfort. Its fastback shape makes the rear space quite tight, nowhere near comparable to the Mercedes E300's rear space.
In the rear of the Xiaomi SU7. at 1.83 meters tall, I find there is little headroom when sitting upright. The non-opening panoramic glass roof is beautiful but can be very hot in the summer, even with heat-insulating glass. It is still not as comfortable as the segmented, openable sunroof of the Mercedes E300.
In other aspects, the Xiaomi SU7 excels. Both cars use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chips, ensuring smooth infotainment systems. However, the Xiaomi SU7’s smart features far surpass those of the Mercedes. This isn't just compared to Mercedes; most other brands also struggle to compete with Xiaomi's smart ecosystem, which spans smart car systems, smartphones, and smart home devices, truly realizing the concept of technology changing life.
Brand Perception and Final Thoughts
We must also acknowledge the long-standing brand reputation of Mercedes, which has been imprinted in most people's minds. Driving a Mercedes still offers significant prestige. Xiaomi, on the other hand, has only taken less than three years from R&D to mass production. Its brand reputation still needs time to build. Nonetheless, Xiaomi's achievement is impressive, especially considering that Apple has spent over a decade developing an electric car without success, while Xiaomi accomplished it in just three years, creating something of a miracle.
So, for friends in front of the screen, one is a traditional luxury brand, the Mercedes E300. and the other is a newcomer in the domestic new energy market, the Xiaomi SU7. One costs 500.000 yuan, the other 220.000 yuan. How would you choose?
