2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Test Drive

Midlife Crisis Averted

Mercedes-Benz prolongs the appeal of its midsize E-Class Sedan with some subtle but effective updates.

On the Road

Ride motions are firm and smartly damped, without the pain over pavement imperfections often associated with sport sedans. Instead of sharp jolts or a bouncy ride, you get an audible patter over rough-textured surfaces. Occasionally, there’s enough noise to make you wonder, "Maybe I should have purchased a Cadillac after all." Stepping up to the V8-powered E550 adds AirMatic air springs and adjustable damping as standard equipment.

Steering is sensitive and accurate, but never as engaging as the more-aggressive sport sedans, like the BMW 5 Series. The wheel is slightly numb to the touch, but still a better place to rest your hands than just about any front- or four-wheel-drive alternative. Steer clear of the $540 wood and leather steering wheel, because portions of the rim are so smoothly varnished and highly polished that it’s difficult to get a grip during emergency maneuvers.

The E350’s 24-valve 3.5-liter V6 is a willing servant capable of delivering an impressive show of force when prodded with a heavy foot. The seven-speed automatic transmission is standard with rear-wheel drive and is an ultra-wide-ratio design to intensify off-the-mark response and mid-range passing prowess. The five-speed automatic supplied when you opt for all-wheel drive is a slightly less willing dance partner, but quite adequate for anyone who respects speed limits.

One notable irritation is that the automatic transmission’s manual mode clicks off upshifts at the red line even when that’s not the driver’s intention. Manual modes on other automatic transmissions hold whatever gear you select indefinitely. Mercedes-Benz’s position is that the driver may forget the shift lever is in manual mode and be left without a necessary upshift in the teeth of a critical passing maneuver. That reduces the manual position feature to a useless gimmick that doesn’t belong in such an otherwise highly competent sport sedan. A second gripe is that shifts are so highly engineered for smoothness that response suffers and delays ensue when all you’re after is the next gear in a hurry. Pressing an old-fashioned button under the throttle pedal tells the powertrain you need all it’s got as soon as the extra oomph can be delivered.

AWD is transparent in operation and well worth the extra $2,500 in areas of the country where winter driving can be treacherous. There is a slight weight penalty that hampers both acceleration and gas mileage, but the loss of 1-2 mpg is trivial compared to the cost and grief of summoning a tow truck on a snowy night.

Those looking to splurge on their next car should definitely step up to the extra-piquant four-cam, 32-valve 5.5-liter V8. It’s a model of deportment in ordinary driving, but equally able to slip into Superman mode when called to perform extraordinary feats. The 382 hp and 391 pound-feet of torque on tap move the E550 smartly to the head of class with sub-5-second 0-60 mph sprints available on cue. Snotty-nosed kids in noisy Mustangs don’t stand a chance in impromptu stoplight races.

Mercedes-Benz is still, and perhaps for evermore, a dominant force in the midsize sedan segment. Clearly, the company wears its leadership mantle with great pride. While lesser brands would have allowed their principal product to age gracefully, Mercedes incorporated subtle but effective improvements throughout the E-Class. It’s not the most fun to drive, the most attractive or the most affordable car in this highly competitive segment, but when its overall balance and bouquet of attributes are seriously considered, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class emerges as one of the best sport sedans money can buy.