mercedes benz 2010
mercedes benz 2010
mercedes benz 2010
mercedes benz 2010
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is redesigned with freshened styling, new features, and a new body style. Mercedes’ premium-midsize car comes as a 4-door sedan and a new-for-2010 2-door coupe with pillar-less hard top styling that’s essentially a slightly larger replacement for the CLK. Most of the powertrains from the 2009 E-Class carry over for 2010. Reprising their roles are the entry-level E350 and high-end E550. Also offered are the high-performance E63 sedan, which is tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance arm. E350s have a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. E550s have a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8.The 2010 E63 adopts the 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 from the larger S63. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all 2010 E-Class models. All models have rear-wheel drive. E350/E550 sedans offer Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Due in 2010 as 2011 models are convertible and station wagon body styles, as well as a turbodiesel E350 BlueTEC sedan.
Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, hip-protecting side airbags, and a driver-knee airbag. Mercedes’ driver-adjustable air suspension is standard on the E550 sedan. Among the new features available on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are adaptive high-beam headlights, which include a camera designed to recognize oncoming traffic and adjusts lamp intensity between low and high beams.
Also new for the E-Class are a night-vision system and Mercedes’ active multi-contour seats with massage function. Other options available on most models include a navigation system, rearview camera, electronic trunk closer, keyless access and engine start, and adaptive cruise control. The sedan’s optional Sport Package include specific wheels and trim. Similar features are available on the coupe as part of its Appearance Package.
mercedes benz 2010 MSRP: $48,050 – $85,750.
mercedes benz 2010Invoice: $44,686 – $79,748.
Mercedes benz 2010 ACCELERATIONmercedes benz 2010Invoice: $44,686 – $79,748.
The E350 and E550 engines and 7-speed automatic transmission are carried over from 2009. E350s have plenty of power but require large throttle inputs in order to extract the most performance. V8 models are appreciably stronger than their V6 counterparts in either body style, and the smaller, lighter coupes are livelier than their sedan siblings. Mercedes quotes 6.5 seconds 0-60 mph for the E350 sedan and 5.2 for the E550 sedan. The E350 coupe is clocked at 6.2 seconds 0-60 by the manufacturer, with the E550 coupe at 5.0. The E550, though it doesn’t feel as fast as Mercedes’ estimate, is still plenty quick. The E63 AMG is a rocket; Mercedes-Benz claims 4.4 seconds 0-60 mph. It feels about that fast. Its 7-speed transmission shifts with more authority than in the E350/550, but it’s never harsh.
mercedes benz 2010
mercedes benz 2010
mercedes benz 2010
A rear-drive E350 sedan averaged 21.1 mpg in mostly highway driving. An AWD E350 sedan averaged 20.4 mpg. An E350 coupe averaged 17.9 mpg in mixed city/highway use. E550 coupes averaged 17.1 mpg in city/highway driving and 20.9 mpg with mostly highway driving. No opportunity to measure the E63. All require premium-grade gas.
Mercedes benz 2010 RIDE QUALITY
Most E-Class models respond well to dips and swells in the highway surface, even those with optional sport suspensions. V8 sedans come standard with a computer-aided air suspension that is designed to react differently under low-speed and high-speed conditions, controlling each wheel independently based on sensor inputs. With it, the ride remains as supple in the E550 as it is in the lighter E350 sedan. Coupes exhibit decent body control, but small bumps trigger a noticeable impact in the cabin, something we deem inappropriate for a car of E-Class’ pretensions. E63 is the firmest of the bunch, but it’s still comfortable as a daily driver, even with its adjustable suspension at its most taut setting.
Mercedes benz 2010 STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
Any E-Class is pleasant and capable, but all fall well short of being outright sporty. We notice some body lean in fast turns. Steering feel seems sloppy to some testers, even on versions equipped with the Sport Package. Braking is highly responsive, easy to modulate, and impeccably secure. The exception is the E63, which has firm, direct steering, outstanding body control, and strong brakes.
Mercedes benz 2010 QUIETNESS
Wind and road noise are well suppressed in all models. V8s are slightly quieter than V6s under acceleration, but even then the V6 can hardly be considered “loud.” When the optional panoramic sunroof is open, wind rush is well contained up to about 70 mph. E63 produces a throaty, muscle-car grunt during acceleration. It never fully goes away while cruising, but it’s hardly unpleasant.
Mercedes benz 2010 CONTROLS
The transmission shift lever in sedans has been moved to the steering column; coupes retain a console-mounted shifter. The controller dial for the COMAND system that programs audio and navigation systems is within easy and comfortable reach on the center console in both body styles. The system still requires some work to access and establish preferred audio and navigation settings. Some functions can also be carried out by an array of buttons on the console. The steering-column stalk for the cruise control is still located in a place where it can be confused for the turn signal and wiper stalk.
Mercedes benz 2010 DETAILS
Sedans and coupes have different dashboard and door-panel designs, but both are made up of price-appropriate materials. One test car suffered from a slight dashboard creak. Colors and textures are varied, and wood and metal highlights raise the chic factor. Sedans adopt the nighttime ambient cabin lighting from the larger S-Class.
Mercedes benz 2010 INTERIOR
In sedans, headroom and legroom are ample, even for taller or longer-legged drivers. Headroom in the coupe is much more limited. Seats are comfortable and supportive. The S-Class’ multi-contour seats with a massage function in the backrest are newly optional in E-Class sedans and coupes.
In the sedan, two adults fit nicely across the rear seat, but three might find things crowded. Legroom is adequate but not generous. A comfortable seat back angle and good headroom are found under the sedan roof. It’s a completely different story in the coupe, where most adults will find their heads rubbing the indented headliner. Legroom is also in very short supply. Though not as awkward as in some coupes, entry and exit are not nearly as easy as they are in the sedans.
Mercedes benz 2010 CARGO ROOM
Sedans feature a deep, flat-floored trunk, but the coupe trunk is smaller and the floor rises slightly at the back, just behind the rear seats. Split-folding rear seat backs are available. With the shifter moved off the console in sedans, space is freed up for a pair of cupholders. Both body styles feature a console box with a split top that can be accessed from either the driver or passenger side, but the box in the sedan is larger.
Mercedes benz 2010 VALUE
Our Recommended nod goes to the E-Class sedan. It’s comfortable, quiet, and as luxurious as you would expect a Mercedes-Benz to be. Though base prices look attractive, costly option packages quickly inflate the bottom line. All but the power hungry will find the V6 model sufficient for everyday use. Coupes share many of the sedan’s virtues but cramped interior accommodations make them less appealing. The E63 AMG delivers world-class acceleration and handling, yet can be comfortably driven every day.
