2012 E350 Coupe Sports Package Review Test Drive
Road test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350
Did y'all know that Penelope Cruz has a sister? Yep, Monica. How about Cameron Diaz? Chimene. Liv Tyler does, likewise. Her proper name is Mia and like her more famous sister, she's an extra, though far less famous. The problem, of course, is that while her sister is one of the near beautiful women on the planet.
Vancouver, B.C. — Did yous know that Penelope Cruz has a sister? Yep, Monica. How well-nigh Cameron Diaz? Chimene. Liv Tyler does, as well. Her proper noun is Mia and like her more famous sister, she's an actress, though far less famous. The problem, of course, is that while her sister is one of the most beautiful women on the planet (we proffer One Nighttime at McCool's as our master evidence), Mia is, well, pleasant-looking.
Unfortunately, pleasant isn't exactly a top-half dozen sales feature for studio directors, and so while Mia's best credits accept been Celebrity Fit Order and Blitz Hr 3, Liv has starred with the likes of Bruce Willis, Matt Dillon and Edward Norton. Such is the power of beauty. Detest the world for its shallowness if y'all will, but beauty, in all its forms, will always be desirable.
And it's no mystery that the same applies to cars. Cadillac's CTS-5 coupe is a hot tamale, only Full general Motors couldn't give abroad XLRs. Ditto for Acura's ZDX, Toyota's Land Cruiser and Suzuki's SX4. Hell, no self-respecting thief would steal one of BMW'south butt-ugly 550 GTs even if the engine was left running with the keys in the ignition. "Beauty is the wonder of wonders," said Oscar Wilde, and though his Henry Wooten was pontificating on Dorian Greyness'southward contraction-less confront, he could well have been talking about a McLaren MP4-12C.
Or Mercedes-Benz' CLS. At least the start generation of the sensuous four-door coupe. All sleekness and speed, the CLS made you lot forget other four-door sedans even existed, which is probably a good alibi – at least information technology's mine – why I had not tested Mercedes-Benz's E350 in quite some time. The cars may be built on the same platform, but why settle for Mia when y'all tin engagement Liv?
Well, perchance I should be checking if Mia tin can act, because, upwardly close, the Due east-Class is fashion more attractive than I call up. For one thing, this version of Mercedes' 3.5-litre V6 is much meliorate than the last version I collection. Its 302 horsepower is 34 more the previous version and fifty-fifty if the normally aspirated V6 can't quite match the torque of BMW'southward turbocharged in-line 3.0L, there'due south more than than plenty grunt to motivate the E-Class.
The same applies to the engine'southward comportment. No V6 volition ever be as silky smooth as an in-line version, especially one with 90 degrees betwixt banks of cylinders (the Merc V6 is essentially a V8 with 2 cylinders lopped off). Simply the 3.5L's noise, vibration and harshness are much reduced from previous versions. Indeed, the biggest comeback of this, the 2012 version of the Due east-Class, over the 2009 model I concluding tested is the sophistication of its powertrain. At the very least, while the previous V6's roughness was enough for me to not recommend the E350, the electric current version is more than good enough to warrant consideration.
Non simply is the engine smoother, but the 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic is a vast comeback over previous-generation Mercedes transmissions. Older five-speed Mercedes slushboxes were reluctant to shift, abrupt when they did and downshifted only when commanded from on high. Thanks to the actress cogs, the 7G promotes fuel efficiency while the close-ratio gears assist acceleration and smoothness (with smaller rpm drops between gears, each gear shift seems less dramatic).
1 matter that hasn't changed is Mercedes' outlook on ride quality. Supremely comfortable even so surprisingly business firm, Mercedes long ago determined that the road to optimum occupant comfort is command rather than mere malleability. Initially, the E350 can feel a little harsh until one has driven for miles and one is merely every bit comfy at the end every bit the beginning. Nonetheless, if one is looking for more plushness from your luxury ride, peradventure a visit to a Jaguar dealer is a better choice.
Of class, said Jaguar isn't bachelor with all-wheel drive, which is standard on the E350. More rear biased (in its standard torque split) than comparable Audis, the 4Matic system retains some of a rear-wheel-drive sportiness but with plenty four-wheel traction to navigate Canadian winters with ataraxy.
As for creature comforts, Mercedes' seats, like its suspension, are firm notwithstanding surprisingly comfortable. Certainly, the E350's offer a dizzying assortment of adaptability to fit all shapes and forms. At that place's also a roominess to the mid-sized E-Class that shows Mercedes has been listening to North American plaints. It was but two generations agone that East-Grade rear-seat legroom was about as generous as that of a Hyundai Sonata. And, simply in example anyone is mistaking that for a compliment because Hyundai'due south fortunes have risen then dramatically of late, my main bespeak was that Mercedes used to waste a lot of real manor for not much rear-seat room.
Nagging complaints remain the same. The COMAND infotainment organisation is adequately user friendly as long as you don't delve also deep or ask for something arcane. Certainly the navigation system proved a boon since I did test this particular machine in a foreign, or at to the lowest degree hostile, country. And some of Mercedes controls – notably the transmission selector and some of the left side stalk's function – are wonky, but maybe that's just Stuttgart'south way of indoctrinating yous so y'all never go out the family unit.
Whatever the instance, the E350 is a more attractive trip the light fantastic toe partner than I remember. Initially – and, to exist perfectly truthful, always – non as attractive as its CLS sibling, information technology has attributes, albeit somewhat stodgy (more than rear-seat headroom, less allure to the local law, etc.) that are nonetheless worthwhile. Perhaps information technology won't arm-twist lust at first sight, only anyone finding themselves bonded to an E350 will non find it wanting.
dbooth@nationalpost.com
The Specs
Type of vehicle: All-wheel-drive mid-sized luxury sedan
Engine: three.5L DOHC V6
Power: 302 hp @ half-dozen,500 rpm; 273 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 ro 5,250 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed manumatic
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires: P245/40R18
Price: base/as tested: $66,300/aforementioned
Destination accuse: $1,995
Transport Canada fuel economy 50/100 km: 11 urban center, seven hwy.
Standard features: Power door locks, windows and mirrors, Thermatic climate control air conditioning with micron air filter, AM/FM/CD/MP3 histrion, Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, DVD navigation system, prowl control, power glass sunroof, COMAND information display, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, leather seats, 14-manner power forepart seats, heated front seats, auto headlights, dual front air bags, dual front side air bags, side curtain air numberless, pelvis air bags, front knee air bags, Acceleration Skid Command, Attention Assist, Brake Aid, Brake Pad Vesture Indicator
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Source: https://driving.ca/mercedes-benz/e-class/reviews/road-test/road-test-2012-mercedes-benz-e350-2
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