Category: Executive 
Price Range: £29,324 to £68,409
Roomy, refined, beautifully built and blessed with fine V6/V8 engines and an exceptional diesel, the E-Class also holds value very well.
But it's pricey, some variants are poorly specified for the money, and the four cylinder petrol engines aren't great.
A wise choice, if not always an exciting one.
The E-Class makes a particularly restful motorway cruiser, and with automatic transmission standard from the 240 Classic onwards town driving is easy too. Electrically adjustable seats are now standard across the range, while seats cooled by internal fans are an option. Aside from the drag-strip acceleration of the AMG E55, no E-Class will put a grin on your face - they feel too inert and remote even in the sportier Avantgarde trim. Mind you, the diesel is surprisingly brisk. These cars are composed and classy, swift and refined rather than 'fun'.
E-Class comprehensive engine range begins with (rather slow) E200 2.0 litre, and includes 2.4, 2.8 and 3.2 petrol engines, the range topped off by the 351bhp, 155mph E55 AMG. There's also a very potent and impressive diesel, the 320 CDI. Among the petrol engines the 280 V6 is brisk and the 320 V8 should be quick enough for most.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes E-Class Estate
wrote on 05 10 2007