With fellow German competitors such as the BMW 5 Series as well as Audi A6 gaining enthusiasts and refreshed domestic competitors such as the outstanding new 2014 Cadillac CTS winning awards, it had been time for a revise. The changes for 2014 tend to be mild, but they touch on regions of the car that must be touched. The question is, did Mercedes-Benz go far enough to revive the E-Class to desirability inside a market that's more competitive than ever before? The car we went to answer this question was a brand new, V-8-powered E550 4Matic four door with all-wheel drive.
Outside & Styling
Exterior design changes are subtle however significant. The unusual fenders which graced the 2013's rear flanks have died replaced with a straightened personality line that runs in the front wheels to the trunk taillights which tend to be, of course, LEDs. Most immediately noticeable would be the cleaner single-unit headlights on each side of the lower, wider grille starting. There are still 4 headlights, but the new treatment makes the entire front end look broader and lower. A choice of the lay-flat Mercedes-Benz star or even an upright hood ornament is available to match your desire for either an elegant ride or a sporty appear.
How It Drives
The engine fires alive with a delicious burble, even though trundling around town this provided instant speed whenever asked, accompanied by a throaty yet refined roar which will bring a grin towards the face of any car enthusiast. It's mated to some seven-speed automatic transmission as well as, in my tester, 4Matic all-wheel generate. The seven-speed is well-matched for this engine, never hunting for that right gear and providing smooth, jolt-free shifts down and up the range of things. Pressing the button to place the car into Sport mode could keep the transmission in less gear, resulting in much more immediacy to the energy delivery.
Steering is biased much more toward luxury than sportiness, but pushing that Sport button creates some positive changes within feel and feedback, firming things up only a tad. The E550 is really a neutral handler, meaning this feels balanced and degree when pushed through capturing turns, but will push into under steer should you go into a corner prematurely.
The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system helps with both wet and dried out weather, working in concert using the four-wheel electronic traction manage system to meter torque out towards the wheels that have probably the most grip. The brakes tend to be strong and fade-free, along with excellent pedal feel as well as easy modulation, even whenever cold. Overall, the E550 seems balanced and solid, words that was previously readily associated with Mercedes-Benz, and today are once again.
Interior
Once that matter is actually settled, you'll be in a position to look around and appreciate the inside improvements for 2014. Its design hasn't changed much this isn't the curvaceous interior from the newest Mercedes-Benz, like the S- or C-Class. However the materials are a step much better than the outgoing E-Class. Real wood trim by having an attractive depth to this, bordered in tight-fitting silk metal, looks classy. You will find no unfinished surfaces, uncommon cut lines or any kind of unpleasant areas to look upon. It feels like it should cost around it does.
It's comfy, too, with big seats which have plenty of support as well as adjustability, plus sufficient length to aid one's thighs. Thanks towards the upright passenger cabin and a big window throughout visibility is good regardless of the rather high belt collection that's common to contemporary Mercedes-Benz. A powered moon roof is standard within the E550, as is dual-zone automated climate control, real leather seats (unlike the imitation stuff within the E350) and ambient lighting that may be adjusted to a quantity of hues to suit the driver's tastes.
Safety
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was crash-tested through the National Highway Traffic Security Administration and scored four from five stars overall. It did slightly better within the Insurance Institute for Freeway Safety's testing, with scores of good over the board. The E-Class had been also named an IIHS Best Safety Pick Plus. The E-Class' automatic braking function isn't standard equipment, but the vehicle does include standard ahead collision warning, which Mercedes-Benz phone calls Collision Prevention Assist. It detects the chance of an impending ahead collision, and both warn the driver and prepare the vehicle for significant braking, though it doesn't actually hit the brakes by itself.For that, you should add the Driver Help Package, which brings Pre-Safe towards the party. That system can individually brake the car in case of an impending collision. At increases to 35 mph it may even detect pedestrians who wander to the car's path and instantly apply the brakes from full strength. The E-Class is a staple from the luxury sedan world and among the mainstays of the section. The revised 2014 version makes the best thing better, and despite it’s less than fitting into the new take a look at Mercedes-Benz, it's still a great upscale sedan for luxurious buyers.
