ROAD TEST ~ 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

New E350 4MATIC rich in technology and luxury amenities

If you're not schooled in Mercedes-Benz nomenclature, don't feel bad if it seems confusing.
With 15 "Classes" spanning entry-level hatchbacks to luxury SUVs and supercars, several models within each class and multiple trim levels, to say the company has an extensive product lineup is an understatement.
No, I won't say there's a Merc for every taste and budget, with the 'entry-level' B-Class starting just a sniff under 30-grand, but there's plenty of room to grow within the brand if you can afford to get started.
The E-Class mid-size luxury sedan (as tested) sits well above the bottom rung.
Now in its ninth generation, the 2010 E-Class has been completely redesigned with a new look and boatloads of leading-edge tech to aid comfort, handling and driver safety.
For 2010, the sedan is available in three models: the E350 4MATIC (as tested), the E550 4MATIC and the posh-rocket E63 AMG.
There's also a two-door coupe, and an E350 BlueTEC diesel model will be added in the spring of 2010. A station wagon is also on the way as a 2011 model.
As the C-Class has evolved, so fortunately has the E-Class with a sportier, more athletic design. Standard is AMG styling (from M-B's performance division), featuring low and aggressive side sills, and front and rear aprons.
Both the E350 and E550 are only available with 4MATIC, while the E63 AMG is a rear driver.
As you would expect, each model name reflects its powerplant, with a 3.5-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 providing the E350 a more-than-adequate 268 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque.
For an extra 10-grand, the E550 4MATIC (starting at $73,200) is equipped with a 5.5 litre DOHC 32-valve V8 that delivers 382 hp and 391 lb/ft of torque, and the E63 AMG, starting at $106,900, gets a 6.2-litre DOHC 32-valve V8 that pumps out a whopping 518 hp and 465 lb/ft of torque.
The base E350 4MATIC, as you would expect at this price point, comes well equipped. Exterior features include active bi-xenon headlamps with washers, heated windshield washer with two-stage rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch five-spoke alloys and a panoramic sunroof.
On the inside, the E350 is outfitted in Artico man-made leather, high-gloss burl walnut and metallic accents, creating an environment that is posh, comfortable and ergonomically sound.
The cockpit sports a five analog gauge layout (two pairs overlapping) and the leather-covered, power tilt/telescopic multifunction steering wheel is also heated. With my butt parked on the heated seat (both front seats are 14-way power adjust with three-position memory) and ungloved hands on the wheel, it's no hardship that the car takes several blocks to warm up in sub zero weather.
And keeping the E350 4MATIC at a constant comfortable temperature is the standard Thermatic dual zone climate control.
Also standard is the COMAND system, which features a seven-inch colour display and controls your audio system, optional navigation, system functions and more. I've grown fond of it after several press vehicles, but will admit that you really need to pay attention when being stepped through it. Otherwise, you had better enjoy reading.
Now that we've banned the use of cell phones while driving, M-B's standard Bluetooth interface makes sending and receiving calls a snap. It uses the car's audio system, and dialing can be done with a console-mounted keypad or better yet with the optional Linguatronic voice command system.
My Blackberry connected quickly and easily with M-B's Bluetooth and spent most of the week in a cupholder while I barked commands (for the phone, the audio system and optional navigation) while staying focused on the road. One nice touch is that the system automatically turns down the music when you send or receive calls.
The standard audio comes with MP3-compatible 6-disc DVD changer, Sirius satellite radio and PCMCIA interface for MP3 playback from a memory card. Also standard is an ambient lighting package.
All E-Class sedans come with Pre-Safe, which can sense and take protective measures before a crash. Its actions include automatically applying tension to the seatbelts, repositioning an overly reclined front seat, and even closing the sunroof and side windows if anticipating a rollover.
Keeping you on the straight and narrow at the mall or grocery store is standard Parktronic guidance system. Although the E-Class is relatively easy to park, I always appreciate the help in tight quarters. At low speeds, the system also scans available parking spaces and displays a "P" if the car will fit.
My tester was also equipped with the $3,900 Premium package, which includes hard drive-based navigation, DVD changer, 4GB music register, a killer harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound system (Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon never sounded better), rear window sunshade, electronic trunk closure and the Keyless-Go pushbutton start system.
The danger in road testing these kinds of vehicles is that you can get so focused on the gadgetry that the driving experience seems almost secondary. Truth is, the E350 4MATIC is so comfortable and quiet, the adaptive suspension so smooth, you can easily forget how capable and nimble this car can be.
Both the E350 and E550 get the sophisticated 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission that can adapt to your driving style. It offers quick, smooth shifts and can skip several gears for powerful downshifting.
With the transmission in "sport" mode, E350 is deceptively fast. Despite the car's emphasis on comfort and composure, it will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds - plenty fast for this kind of "executive" sedan.
There's still much more to say about the 2010 E-Class, and if you're pursuing an automobile in this price range, it's worth visiting www.mercedes-benz.ca for all the package pricing, options and trim. It's also worth checking out some of the competition, such as BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, the Infiniti M, Lexus GS and more.
All are superb vehicles, but that being said, no brand is more synonymous with luxury than Mercedes-Benz. And in the E-Class, the company has made a good car even better in terms of style, technology and the overall driving experience.


BODY STYLE: Mid-size luxury sedan
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, all-wheel-drive
ENGINE: 3.5-litre 24-valve V6 (268 hp, 258 lb/ft torque)
FUEL ECONOMY: 12.7 L/100 km city and 8.3 L/100 km highway
PRICE: Base $62,900, as tested $70,825 (includes Premium package $3,900, Technology package $800, media interface $375, rear view camera $450, Distronic Plus $2,400)