Starting up the E-class reminds me a little of my childhood growing up in rural Gloucestershire: it delivers the kind of agricultural clatter reminiscent of a Massey Ferguson.

After driving the Jaguar XF for the past few months, it comes of a surprise to find a premium car with such a lack of refinement from ignition. Once underway, however, the tone improves significantly – indeed dropping down a gear for an overtaking manoeuvre emits an impressive growl.

It’s clear this car is a very different proposition from the XF, despite competing in the same class. The E-class is a more sober companion, less showy that the sports’ tinged XF, with a more understated confidence.

The paintwork adds to that perception. Officially Cuprite Brown (named after an oxidation product of copper sulphides), in bright sunlight it glistens, with the red flakes imbedded in the metallic paint bringing the colour to life. In the past month, we’ve had two such days.

In every other weather type, it’s a dreary dead brown – to the extent that numerous acquaintances have commented on the lacklustre sheen. We picked the colour, though, so the criticism faces inwards.

While generally understated in style, the Mercedes is no under-performer. Confident on the road, it feels less skittish than the XF, although it feels bulkier despite weighing more or less the same at the Jaguar. The 170bhp 2.1-litre diesel engine is reticent until pushed, when it reveals a unexpected turn of pace – sufficient to satisfy most driving requirements.

Executive travel in comfort is its raison d’etre, and it does this supremely well. Long journeys are dispatched with minimum fuss and effort, leaving you refreshed for meetings.

However, like the XF, the fuel efficiency has been a little underwhelming. Officially capable of 57.6mpg combined, we are generally achieving around 44mpg, rising to around 50mpg on longer journeys.

Ultra efficient driving pulls the figure up to around 53mpg but it’s a bit of a chore to maintain. That said, with diesel prices accelerating towards 150p per litre, it’s a chore I may have to live with.