This review was first made and published by Car & Drive.
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 have 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 that—in addition to the sport suspension; 18-inch, twin five-spoke alloy wheels; and interior touches—swaps the standard grille and the 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 4136 pounds.
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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 4272 pounds and an Audi A6 3.0T Quattro, 4055 pounds; both were a tad portly compared with a Lexus GS350 AWD, which crossed the scales at a comparatively breezy 3977 pounds. As you might expect, the acceleration numbers are grouped almost as tightly, the E350 handling the 0-to-60 sprint in 5.8 seconds, the BMW and the Lexus in 5.7, and 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. We can’t say acceleration is neck snapping, but the forward urge is strong and steady, and responses to pedal inputs are 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. Even so, 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 superlight 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.
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An engine stop-start 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 Lane Tracking package, which includes blind-spot assist and lane-keeping assist, two features that go unappreciated until you need them.
From the driveline and seating to the steering and suspension, from the exterior refresh to the conservative yet elegant interior, Mercedes has taken a holistic approach with the 2014 E350. Although it might not stand out in any single category, the way the E350 seamlessly blends its many strengths is a work of art in its own right, and a longtime Mercedes skill.
