Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class ranks 1 out of 16 Luxury Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 63 published reviews and test drives of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Impressive interior and exterior styling, as well as competent road manners, makes the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a serious contender among luxury large cars. While the E-Class lacks sport sedan handling, most reviewers agree that it’s agile enough. However, the COMAND interface, which controls audio and climate functions, is still not the most intuitive system on the market.

The eye-catching exterior and luxurious interior of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan make it stand out among the competition. But the E-Class isn’t just about good looks; a long list of standard safety features and multiple drivetrain configurations mean that shoppers can personalize the E-Class to a greater degree than others on the market. The E-Class’s starting price is high compared to cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5-series and Infiniti M, though most reviewers agree it’s tough to match the panache of the Mercedes. “Certainly, there are other choices, especially among sedans,” writes Edmunds. “The BMW 5 Series is sportier, the Jaguar XF is more stylish and the Infiniti M Series is less expensive, but none of these choices has the E-Class sedan's well-rounded excellence.”

The 2011 E-Class sedan is available in three trim levels with different engines: the E350, E550 and E350 BlueTEC. The E350 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 which reviewers say has ample power for most drivers, though those seeking some additional get-up-and-go may prefer the E550’s 5.5-liter V8. Also available for 2011 is the E350 4matic wagon and the E350 BlueTEC sedan. The wagon offers increased cargo space and standard all-wheel drive, while the E350 BlueTEC features a clean diesel 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and improved fuel economy.

Other Cars to Consider

While the E-Class offers enough power and luxurious appointments, shoppers on the lookout for the best handling cars in the large luxury class will still have to look elsewhere. Although the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series still dominate the E-Class in terms of cornering ability, Mercedes has narrowed the gap with the current E-Class, which offers improved performance characteristics over previous generations. Still, consumers looking for better handling and a lower price tag would be smart to check out both the A6 and the 528i, each of which cost roughly $4,000 less than the E350.

Another similarly-priced option is the Infiniti M. While the M37 has roughly the same base price as an E350, some may prefer its interior tech, which still offers separate controls for climate, navigation and stereo. If the all-inclusiveness of Mercedes’s COMAND tech package seems less-than-intuitive, the Infiniti M may be a viable alternative. The M37 was named an insurance industry “Top Safety Pick” just like the E-Class, and also offers impressive handling that the Mercedes can’t match.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan: The Details

Consumers looking for a luxury large car with impressive safety features would be wise to check out the E-Class sedan. In addition to offering all the safety features available on the vast majority of luxury cars, the E-Class comes standard with innovative features such as Attention Assist, which alerts drivers if the system senses that they may be getting tired. Unique safety options such as adaptive high-beam headlamps, which put out the maximum amount of illumination and adjust for oncoming traffic, are also available.

Coupe and cabriolet configurations of the Mercedes E-Class are also offered, but are reviewed separately. While the E-Class coupe and convertible feature the same drivetrain, those cars are built on the Mercedes C-Class chassis, which give them different proportions and performance characteristics.

Three powertrains are available for shoppers considering an E-Class sedan. Reviewers generally agree that the V6-powered E350 provides adequate power, but lacks some of the oomph and handling seen on competitors such as the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6. Consumers looking for extra power may wish to opt for the E550, which offers ample V8 power as well as an air suspension and standard leather seats.

New for 2011 is the E350 BlueTEC sedan, which offers a clean diesel powertrain and impressive fuel economy for a large luxury car. Also new this year is the E350 4matic wagon, providing increased cargo capacity and standard all-wheel drive. The E350 BlueTEC sedan does not get a 4matic option, although gas-powered E350 and E550 sedans are available with all-wheel drive. Those seeking a high performance sports sedan may want to check out the E63 AMG, which is reviewed separately.

• "Our nod goes to the E-Class sedan. It's comfortable, quiet, and as luxurious as you would expect a Mercedes-Benz to be. Though base prices look attractive, costly option packages quickly inflate the bottom line. All but the power hungry will find the V6 model sufficient for everyday use."
• "The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class strikes a brilliant balance between ride quality and handling ability. Within its segment, the E is by far the most adaptable, rewarding and confident car for the widest variety of surfaces and situations."
• "And, all the new electronic gizmos aside, the new generation models are more comfortable, more solid, quieter, and more agile than any previous E-Class."

E-Class Performance - 8.8 (Very Good)

Previous E-Class sedans were frequently known for their powerful engines and comfortable rides rather than the sport-sedan handling present in competitors like the Audi A6 and the BMW 5-series. While the current E-Class is equipped with capable engines, handling still falls slightly short of its sport sedan competition.

E-Class Exterior - 8.8 (Very Good)

A major redesign on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in 2010 marked a significant departure from the styling of previous models. Reviewers continue to praise the updated look, saying that while the current E-Class drops certain iconic features, such as the quad-headlamp up front, the E-Class still exudes classic Mercedes styling while sporting contemporary exterior design.

E-Class Interior - 8.9 (Very Good)

Mercedes-Benz designed the interior of the new E-Class to represent their heritage with a classic look and feel. Reviewers agree that the cabin blends ample, but unobtrusive, tech features with materials and styling that they’ve come to expect from the German automaker.

E-Class Safety - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety “Top Safety Pick”. The E-Class earns this award for its standard electronic stability control and a top score of “Good” in all crash tests.

E-Class Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mercedes-Benz covers all new E-Class owners with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.