The E-Class nameplate covers some very different vehicles. The sedan and wagon share most of their interior space and functionality, while coupes and convertibles are closer to each other, in having less of both.
There's more interior room in any E-Class than in models from just a few years ago. The latest editions ride on a wider and longer platform than before, with particularly roomy layouts to be found in the sedan and wagon. They're on par with the BMW 5-Series by the spec sheet, visually a little more spacious, and much more open than, say, the Jaguar XF.
In front, passengers will get deep front foot wells, and a couple of fingers of headroom even with the standard sunroof. The base power-adjustable seats can seem pretty pedestrian in construction--and synthetic material remains the standard base-level upholstery, though in the U.S., the majority of cars are sold with leather. AMG versions have their own grippy, multi-adjustable seats, and on many versions, Mercedes offers adaptive seats that inflate and deflate air bladders in the bolsters as you push limits through corners. If it sounds gimmicky, it is, but it also works well.
As for the rear seat, three adults will truly fit, and leg and elbow room are very good for two passengers in either the E-Class sedan or wagon. The back seat itself is easy to access and flip forward for more space, thanks to a split-folding design.
Small-item storage is decent, with a two-tier glovebox sized just about right for an actual pair of gloves. Cup holders are hidden beneath a slide-forward console lid, and behind and below them is a somewhat shallow storage bin. In terms of cargo space, the latest E-Class sedans got a significant boost in trunk volume; wagons are of course the most versatile for cargo, and they include a couple of temporary-use, rear-facing third-row seats.
Coupe and Cabriolet models of the E-Class sacrifice some seating space and quite a lot of ease of access. Getting into the back seat can involve some stretching, and there isn't all that much legroom; but you'll find that the seats themselves are quite comfortable.
In all the members of the E-Class family of cars, the plush interior fittings and classy trim set a stylish baseline that can be fluffed up with designer touches. Wood trim, improved cup holders, a quieter cabin, and generally improved fit and finish add to the current generation E-Class's luxurious feel. In the richest designer trims, the E-Class carries off a much more elegant, expensive look than it does in its plainer, standard-issue form. It's also a subdued place to ride, no matter which non-AMG drivetrain you choose: cabin quietness is among the best in this class unless you do go for the most powerful models. Then it's all engine note, all the time, almost always for the better.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overview
New/Notable:
- Significant refresh for 2014, will update each E-Class model throughout 2014
- Offered as a coupe, sedan, convertible, and wagon
- Five engine options (including AMG models)
For 2014, Mercedes-Benz debuts a significantly updated E-Class lineup of cars that get brand new styling inside and out.
The E-Class lies in the middle tier of Mercedes’ passenger cars, above the compact C-Class and below the ultra-luxurious full-size S-Class. It is one of the most flexible product lines Mercedes’ makes, coming in four distinct body styles: coupe, sedan, convertible (cabriolet), and even a wagon for some extra utility. Both the coupe and convertible versions seat four-passengers and have two-doors, while the wagon seats up to seven and the sedan five.
For 2014, exterior styling takes a step back from the curvier design of the outgoing model in favor of a sharper aesthetic. The headlight clusters are now combined, offering only one unit on each side that integrates LED daytime running lamps and both front headlamps which flank an aggressive version of Mercedes’ corporate grille. The prominent fender arches have also been smoothed. Side-by-side, the changes are more obvious when seen on the street but make no mistake: the latest evolution of the E-Class has a more modern, cohesive design than its predecessor.
Mercedes splits the E-Class into variants based on engine size. The smallest engine is its most efficient and found in the E250, which comes as a sedan only. It’s a 190-hp, 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel that makes 369 pounds-feet of torque. Next is the E350, which is offered in all four bodystyles and gets a 302-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The sedan-only E400 hybrid uses the same V-6 but adds a 27-hp electric motor and returns 30 mpg highway. Rounding things out is the E550, which uses a 402-hp, turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 and comes as a sedan, coupe, or convertible. Mercedes also offers two varieties of the high-performance E63 AMG which comes as a sedan or wagon, with a 550-hp, twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 that makes 531 pounds-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional on all models except the wagon which comes with all-wheel drive standard. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission option.
Inside, changes abound across the entirety of the E-Class models with a new 3-pod instrument panel and a new dashboard, offered with two different types of wood trim standard. Whereas the C-Class cabin is sportier, the E-Class puts more of an onus on comfort and luxury. A 7-inch display in the center console houses many of the audio and climate functions, and is controlled by a small rotary knob found between the front seats. Mercedes divides many of the E-Class’s optional features into packages that add different sets of electronics and comforts. Available features include a Harmon Kardon audio system, heated and ventilated seats, Mercedes Comand multimedia system, navigation, and a power rear sunshade.
True to form in a Mercedes-Benz, the 2014 E-Class also offers the latest in safety technology. Nine airbags, collision prevention, driver attention monitoring, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control comes standard. Options include active blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, radar-based adaptive cruise control, and active park assist which will parallel park the E-Class automatically, leaving the driver to only operate the gas and brake.
This puts the CLA45 ahead of the Hammer, which lends testament to how
The party piece of the CLK Black Series is that fantastic engine note — growl, really, as “note” doesn’t convey the same sense of tire destruction that the the ungodly noise implies. The CLK Black Series was actually the street-legal, emissions-sanitized version of the CLK Pace Car for Formula 1, and helped set the tone for all the Black Series vehicles that have since followed.
