2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Road Test
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class ▼
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- MSRP: $48,050 - $85,500
- Invoice: $44,686 - $52,359
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Our road test for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class includes a full evaluation of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class help you decide if a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7.4 |
The E350 and E550 engines and 7-speed automatic transmission are carried over from 2009. They continue to deliver the same high levels of performance as in the past. V8 models are appreciably stronger than their V6 counterparts in either body style, and the smaller, lighter coupes are livelier than their sedan siblings. Mercedes quotes 6.5 seconds 0-60 mph for the E350 sedan and 5.2 for the E550 sedan. The E350 coupe is clocked at 6.2 seconds 0-60 by the manufacturer, with the E550 coupe at 5.0. The E550, though it doesn't feel as fast as Mercedes' estimate, is still plenty quick.
FUEL ECONOMY
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.7 |
In Consumer Guide testing, an E350 sedan averaged 21.1 mpg in mostly highway driving. An E350 coupe averaged 17.9 mpg in mixed city/highway use. E550 coupes averaged 17.1 mpg in city/highway driving and 20.9 mpg with mostly highway driving. All but the diesel BlueTEC require premium-grade gas. The E350 BlueTEC is available in all 50 states.
RIDE QUALITY
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6.5 |
Most E-Class models respond well to dips and swells in the highway surface, even those with optional sport suspensions. V8 sedans come standard with a computer-aided air suspension that is designed to react differently under low-speed and high-speed conditions, controlling each wheel independently based on sensor inputs. With it, the ride remains as supple in the E550 as it is in the lighter E350 sedan. Coupes exhibit decent body control, but small bumps trigger a noticeable impact in the cabin, something we deem inappropriate for a car of E-Class' pretensions.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7.2 |
Any E-Class is pleasant and capable, but all fall well short of being outright sporty. We notice some body lean in fast turns. Steering feel seems sloppy to some testers, even on Sport versions. Braking is highly responsive, easy to modulate, and impeccably secure.
QUIETNESS
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7.2 |
Wind and road noise are well suppressed in all models. V8s are slightly quieter than V6s under acceleration, but even then the V6 can hardly be considered "loud." When the optional panoramic sunroof is open, wind rush is well contained up to about 70 mph.
CONTROLS
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6.3 |
The transmission shift lever in sedans has been moved to the steering column; coupes retain a console-mounted shifter. The controller dial for the COMAND system that programs audio and navigation systems is within easy and comfortable reach on the center console in both body styles. The system still requires quite a bit of work to access and establish settings, particularly the climate controls. Some functions can also be carried out by an array of buttons on the console. The steering-column stalk for the cruise control is still located in a place where it can be confused for the turn signal and wiper stalk.
DETAILS
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7.7 |
Sedans and coupes have different dashboard and door-panel designs, but both are made up of top-grade materials. One test car suffered from a slight dashboard creak. Colors and textures are varied, and wood and metal highlights raise the chic factor. Sedans adopt the nighttime ambient cabin lighting from the S-Class.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7.4 |
In sedans, headroom and legroom are ample, even for taller or longer-legged drivers. Headroom in the coupe is much more limited. Seats are comfortable and supportive. The S-Class' multi-contour seats with a massage function in the backrest are newly optional in E-Class sedans and coupes.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5.2 |
In the sedan, two adults fit nicely across the rear seat, but three might find things crowded. Legroom is adequate but not generous. A comfortable seat back angle and good headroom are found under the sedan roof. It's a completely different story in the coupe, where most adults will find their heads rubbing the indented headliner. Legroom is also in very short supply. Though not as awkward as in some coupes, entry and exit are not nearly as easy as they are in the sedans.
CARGO ROOM
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Sedans feature a deep, flat-floored trunk, but the coupe trunk is smaller and the floor rises slightly at the back, just behind the rear seats. Split-folding rear seatbacks are available. With the shifter moved off the console in sedans, space is freed up for a pair of cup holders. Both body styles feature a console box with a split top that can be accessed from either the driver or passenger side, but the box in the sedan is larger.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6.6 |
With starting prices marked down and new features added such as the standard ATTENTION ASSIST that monitors and warns of impending driver fatigue, Mercedes-Benz has made a bedrock entry in the premium midsize field that is a more-solid value than its predecessor.
Total Score
| E350 Luxury sedan | E550 Luxury sedan | E550 Sport sedan | E350 coupe | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 79 | 77 | 64 | 70.2 |
Total Score: 74
Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars
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