Instrumented Test
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Mercedes’ well-respected man about town tones up.
The E350 is Mercedes-Benz’s sensible sedan. Standing in the shadow of the extroverted E63 AMG and conceding the efficiency crown to the forthcoming E250 Bluetec diesel, it earns respect by effortlessly balancing form and function in a practical and attractive package. In many ways, the E-class is Mercedes; integrity is everything when you’ve got that kind of weight on your shoulders.
Honing and Toning
Freshly resculpted for the 2014 model year, the W213 generation E-class traces its lineage to 2010. Although the grille covers roughly the same real estate, its corners are now softer, and the previous quad headlamp lenses have been shaped into two, longer, leaner units that blend more naturally with the sleek rake of the fascia. The Mercedes shape-up program didn’t neglect the glutes either, as the formerly flared rear fenders now appear more tight and toned, and the overall package displays a more cohesive and athletic look than did the previous car.
Our test car came in a slimming shade of Lunar Blue ($720) and was equipped with the no-cost Sport Styling package, which, in addition to the sport suspension; 18-inch, twin five-spoke alloy wheels; and interior touches, swaps the standard grille and traditional stand-up three-pointed star for a two-bar grille with an integrated emblem. Weight was shaved by rendering the fenders, hood, and doors in aluminum, and a decklid made from a composite. All in, our example tipped the scales at 4163 pounds.
To give you an idea of how thinly the V-6–powered, four-door, four-wheel-drive, premium sedan market is sliced, consider that the last BMW 535i xDrive we tested weighed in at 4272 pounds, and an Audi A6 3.0T Quattro at 4055 pounds; both a tad portly compared to the Lexus GS 350 AWD, which crossed the scales at a comparatively breezy 3977 pounds. As you might expect, acceleration numbers are grouped almost as tightly, the E350 handling the 0–60 sprint in 5.8 seconds, the BMW and Lexus in 5.7, the Audi taking the ribbon in 5.1.
The 302-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 is the E350’s silent partner, sending its output to a seven-speed automatic, where the shifts are either fully automatic or activated at the behest of the standard wheel-mounted paddles. Power reaches the pavement via Mercedes’ 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, which quickly and quietly makes the most of any traction situation. While we can’t say acceleration is neck-snapping, the forward urge is strong and steady, and responses to pedal inputs decisive.
Reality Check
The E350 may be a product of a luxury brand, but its suspension settings favor a European preference for road texture instead of isolation. Frost heaves, expansion strips, and broken pavement transmit impact harshness through the 245/40 series Pirelli P Zero tires. That said, the cabin remains tight and rattle-free, and the suspension (independent three-link front and five-link rear, variable-rate dampers all around) remains planted—vehicle control is never compromised. The variable-effort electric power steering is super light when stopped in traffic and at low speeds, but firms up nicely as speeds and tire loads increase. It’s short on contact-patch communication, but at least it’s consistent and accurate. Lateral acceleration registers 0.86 g, and given the choice, we’d take the E350 Sport Package’s firm body motion control over a setup that goes weak in the knees when challenged.
An engine start-stop system is standard for 2014, as are a few safety features such as Attention Assist, which monitors your driving behavior and lets you know when it thinks you are drowsy or distracted, and Collision Assist, for when you’re clearly not paying attention at all. Our car had the optional ($875) Lane Tracking package, which includes Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, two features that go unappreciated until you need them.
Namaste, The New Zeitgeist
From the driveline and seating to the steering and suspension, the exterior refresh to the conservative yet elegant interior, Mercedes has taken a holistic approach with the refreshed 2014 E350. While it may not stand out in any single category, the way it seamlessly blends its many strengths is a work of art in its own right, and a longtime Mercedes skill. The pre-refresh W213 had us wondering if perhaps the lines of communication were degrading slightly between engineering, product planning, and design. They all seem to be speaking clearly to one another now.
Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED: $66,270 (base price: $55,327)
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 213 cu in, 3498 cc
Power: 302 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 192.1 in
Width: 73.0 in Height: 57.1 in
Curb weight: 4136 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.9 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 22.4 sec
Rolling start, 560 mph: 6.3 sec
Top gear, 3050 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 5070 mph: 4.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.5 sec @ 98 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 132 mph
Braking, 700 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g*
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 20/29 mpg
C/D observed: 23 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited
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