2003-2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Year-to-Year Changes

2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: All-wheel drive, a wagon body style, and a seven-speed automatic transmission were newly available for 2004 on Mercedes' best-selling line. Sedans and wagons both came as E320 models with a 221-hp V6, and as E500s with a 302-hp V8. Introduced during the 2003 model year, the E55 AMG sedan held a 469-horsepower supercharged V8 and rode on 18-inch tires. E320s and the E55 continued with a five-speed automatic, but E500s substituted an industry-first seven-speed transmission. Mercedes said the new automatic could skip gears during upshifts and downshifts, for increased efficiency. Both automatics had a manual shift gate, but the E55 added steering-wheel buttons. The E55 had exclusive trim, exhaust and seats, with a sport suspension. Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive was standard on the E500 wagon and optional for other E-Class models. Distronic cruise control, designed to maintain a preset following distance, was optional. Optional bi-xenon headlamps were now steering-linked. Wagons could seat seven on three rows, and were available with the sedan's Sport Package option. All models were factory pre-wired to accept newly optional dealer-installed satellite radio.

2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: A turbocharged diesel six-cylinder sedan called the E320CDI went on sale as an early 2005 model. During 2005, a 3.5-liter V6 replaced the 3.2-liter in the E320, turning it into an E350 for the 2006 season.

2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: A new V6 engine signals the arrival of the E350 model for 2006. E350s have a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 and replace E320 models, which had a 221-hp 3.2 V6.

2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Revised styling, new engines, and additional safety equipment highlighted 2007 for Mercedes' midsize sedans and wagons. The E550 had a 382-hp V8 and replaced the 302-hp E500. The E320 Bluetec had a 208-hp V6 turbodiesel and replaced the 201-hp E320 CDI. The high-performance E63 had a 507-hp V8 and replaced the 469-hp E55. New for '07 was Mercedes' Pre-Safe system, which automatically tightens seatbelts and readies full braking power when sensors detect an imminent collision. All '07 E-Class models got revised front and rear styling.

2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: The 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class got no major changes.