The new Mercedes E-Class sedan maintains its position as a hard-to-beat blend of luxurious features and sport-oriented performance. Some may be more luxurious, and some may be better performers, but the E-Class' combination of both sets it apart.
And new features for the 2009 model year include an audio unit that includes an in-dash memory card reader, a six-CD/DVD changer with video playback replacing the standard single-CD player, and a new hard-drive-based navigation system with 4GB of music storage.
The 2009 Mercedez-Benz E-Class is again offered as a sedan or wagon with four engine choices, one of which is a diesel. With fuel economy concerns becoming a higher priority with many buyers, the E320 Bluetec is the only midsize luxury sedan in the U.S. with a diesel-fueled engine. This V6 engine also uses a special urea additive that makes it run much cleaner than the old Mercedes-Benz diesels of the past.
And for those looking primarily for performance, the E63 AMG produces 507 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That's faster than most sports cars.
While the E350 sedan and wagon are similarly equipped, the sedan can also be outfitted with a no-cost Sport Package that includes 18 inch wheels, sport front and rear bumpers, a dual chrome exhaust, and a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters.
The E350 wagon is equipped with a power liftgate and a rear-facing two-passenger third-row seat that can be folded flat.
The E550 sedan features the Sport Package plus a semi-active air suspension, leather upholstery and four-zone automatic climate control.
Features on the E320 Bluetec diesel include 16 inch wheels, sunroof, 10-way power memory front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, the COMAND interface and a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with an in-dash six-CD/DVD changer and auxiliary audio jack.
There are two option packages for non-AMG E-Class models. The Premium 1 Package includes an iPod interface in the glovebox, heated front seats, satellite radio, HD radio and the new hard-drive-based navigation system. The Premium 2 Package adds bi-xenon headlights and keyless ignition/entry to all the other features in the P1P.
Stand-alone options include a panorama sunroof, park assist, and an electronic trunk closer and split-folding rear seats for the sedan.
Features of the E63 AMG are the same as the E550, but add split-folding rear seats, heated front seats, satellite radio and the AMG performance and styling features. An AMG Performance Package is available and includes unique 18 inch alloy wheels, a specially tuned air suspension, a limited-slip differential and a higher top speed of 186 mph. Also available as options for the E63 AMG are heated/ventilated front seats and adaptive cruise control.
Powering the E350 is a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds ... more than respectable for a fairly heavy vehicle. The sedan is available with rear-wheel drive or 4Matic AWD. The wagon is AWD only. The EPA gas mileage estimates for the rear-wheel-drive E350 are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The E550 also comes as either rear-wheel drive or AWD, but is equipped with a 5.5 liter V8 that outputs 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The E550 has been timed from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. The gas mileage for the V8-powered E550 is 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
The E320 Bluetec is powered by a 3.0 liter turbodiesel V6 that makes 210 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque and goes from 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds. And it gets good gas mileage at the same time, 23 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway.
All rear-wheel-drive E-Class models are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The 4Matic models come with a five-speed automatic.
The high-performance E63 AMG is powered by a 6.2 liter V8 engine and is matched to a seven-speed Speedshift transmission, which can change gears 50% faster than other E-Class models. But as would be expected, gas mileage for the E63 AMG drops to 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.
Standard safety features on all 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models include stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist, PreSafe (anticipates an imminent crash and automatically better secures occupants), front and rear side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and the TeleAid emergency system.
The E-Class sedan earned four stars (out of five) for frontal-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection in government crash tests.
