Category: Executive 
Price Range: £29,324 to £68,409
Refined, quick and prestigious; excellent new diesels; relatively low fuel consumption and emissions.
Rather conservative, not a sporting drive.
The consummate executive all-rounder, now more fuel-efficient and better value for money.
Mercedes' reputation for reliability took a downturn in the 1990s, but in recent years it has made sterling improvements to get back on track.
The outgoing W211-series E-Class hasn't been perfect - owners have reported a number of electrical and electronic issues, as well as more serious auto gearbox failures and engine troubles - but improvements during its lifespan led it to a very creditable eighth place and five-star score in the 2008 JD Power reliability/customer satisfaction survey.
Mercedes says that the W212 has undergone its most comprehensive pre-production testing programme ever, prototypes covering a phenomenal 36 million kilometres in a variety of climates, conditions and countries, and initial fit and finish can't be faulted.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes E-Class Estate
wrote on 05 10 2007