Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes E350 4-Matic Sedan with Premium and Technology Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$67600

Performance: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has always been right when it comes to the automotive world, that’s especially true with it comes to Mercedes’s bread-and-butter E-Class sedan. That’s exactly the dliemma Mercedes is facing when its time to redesign their most important car in the product profolio.

As one would expect from Mercedes, there are at least 2 engine choices for the E-Class. The uplevel E550 is powered by a V8 with 382hp, which is simply a gem of a motor. Or the V6 on our tester. Mercedes’s tried-and-true 3.5 liter V6 with 268hp and 258 lb/f of torque. While we don’t expect E63 AMG’s kind of performance through a base V6, we expect a bit more from a Mercedes V6. Instead of giving us the V6 with direct fuel injection as in the SLK350, this 258 lb/ft of torque feels gutless on the bottom end, even with the low gear ratios on low 1st and 2nd gears. Its not until the mid-range before this engine starts to shine. 268hp certainly does help a lot in this regard. Even if its 35 horsepower short of what we expect, it still delivers high level of engine refinement and smoothness one expects from Mercedes. Its not only have excellent NVH and revving smoothly, its also a quiet operator. However, the paddle shifters on the steering wheel definitely help driver to use this 3.5 liter’s rev range when they are in a need to push this 4068 lb of AWD mid-size German luxury sedan around. Another saving grace is the tall gear ratio does provide quiet and luxurious cruising on highway speed, which is always been a Mercedes forte. If you want more Mercedes, I would recommend to wait for a year or 2 for that directly injected 300hp V6. Or better yet, opt for that 5.5 liter V8 if you can’t afford the 613hp beast called E63 AMG.

Handling: Mercedes has been very well-known for producing rigid and stiff chassis, the new E-Class is no exception. The chassis is so solid and stiff, that it is completely free of anything called flex and rattles. Its also good enough for suspension to base its hats on. The suspension is comforably compliant when pushed, which absorbs all the bumps and roughness with ease, in Mercedes’s typical supple fashion. Here in Canada, all E-Class saved for AMG, only come with Mercedes’s 4-Matic AWD system. This is a system that gives out a bit of rear-drive feel without losing the AWD confidence. When it combines with the already wonderful chassis and compliant suspension, its really hard to get the E-Class unglued on any surfaces. The E350 acts confidently without losing any drama when pushed hard through corners. The steering provides decent feel and feedback, with excellent response but come with Mercedes’s typical dumb off-center feel during turn-in. There is some understeer and body rolls. Oversteer is hard to detect thanks to Mercedes’s instrusive ESP. While its instrusive for enthuisastic drivers, this system has acted exceptionally for E-Class’s traditional audience.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the E350′s braking prowess certainly lives up to the emblem on the hood. The stopping distance is short while pedal is easily modulated. ABS only acts at the right time at the right place. That’s what we called a good set of brake system.

Interior: Everything else inside the E350 is what you would expect from a Mercedes. The use of materials and fit-and-finish are top-notch. There are plenty of soft-touch plastic on the dashboard and door panels. Mercedes has put the shifter behind the steering instead of as a gearlever, as they want to leave for more storage space on the center console. The joystick on the steering takes some time to get used to, especially when it time to shift from Park to Drive. The leather seats are made of high-quality hides, which is both firm and comfortable.

There are plenty of head and legrooms at the back for any sizes.

In terms of cargo space, the E-Class has a rather high liftover and narrow opening. That seems to be the norm for most sedans these days. The split fold-down rear seats and center ski pass through certainly help though.

Conclusion: Redesigning any new car can be a risky propostion. Redesigning Mercedes’s bread-and-butter can be between boom and bust. The new E-Class is certainly is a boom. As it provides a balanced blend of performance, handling dynamics and interior comfort; without losing the usual composure of a Mercedes-Benz.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Mercedes E350 4-Matic Sedan
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Performance: 3.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5