What's the difference?
It might not be as tribal as Ford vs Holden, but there’s a rivalry between BMW and Mercedes-Benz that occasionally becomes more obvious - the launch of the new Mercedes E-Class only months after the BMW 5 Series being one of those times.
But Mercedes has done something different. Instead of multiple variants and electric cars under the E-Class banner, Australia gets just one, the E300.
Is it enough to tackle the big Bavarian sedan in the sales race? We attended the Australian launch just north of Melbourne to find out.
It is no secret that the Chinese brands have taken Australia’s affordable EV market by storm. The three most affordable electric models in Australia are all Chinese, and all start under $40k.
But this is the Nissan Sakura, a Japanese-market EV that has global potential, with the brand’s most senior executives saying they want to bring cheaper electric vehicles to the masses.
How cheap? Well this one starts at around 2.5m yen, which is less than $27,000.
So, does Nissan have something here that can upset the cheap EV apple cart? Let’s go find out.
The E-Class is stacked with kit, looks great, and is an effective and comfortable way to get around in built-up areas or across the countryside.
While it’s not the most dynamically engaging - it’s pipped by its Bavarian rival there - it offers more comfort-oriented features than most, and the cabin is a pleasant place to spend a day driving.
If you're disposed towards stumping up the asking price, the extra outlay for the 'Plus Package' will probably be most relevant to you if you’re covering long distances due to the Airmatic suspension.
Otherwise, even a simple-spec E300 provides a step up from what you might expect from an executive sedan.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.
The Sakura won't be for everyone, but why does every car have to have mass appeal? Can't we have some unique offerings in the mix, too? With a slightly bigger battery, Nissan could definitely find and audience for the Sakura in Australia, and I might even be near the front of that queue.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.