2005 Mercedes-Benz E500 Sedan

The Mercedes-Benz E500 four-door sedan was the cream of the crop in the E-Class line for 2005. It was powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produced 302 horsepower.

The standard transmission for the E500 sedan was a seven-speed automatic equipped with the Touch Shift feature, which enabled the driver to upshift and downshift manually by nudging the shift lever left or right. The transmission was designed to improve the car's fuel efficiency and acceleration.

The E500 sedan was well-equipped with both luxury features and high-tech mechanical systems, including a self-leveling system, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and an Electronic Stability Programming (ESP) anti-skid system. It also came with the automaker's TeleAid emergency communication and assistance program.

Other standard features included leather seats with power adjustment in the front, wood interior trim, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, multi-zone automatic climate control, dual front and side airbags, power windows, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, and an AM/FM audio system with a CD player.

A DVD-based navigation system was among the options. Other options included Dynamic Drive seats that adjust automatically to support the driver under heavy cornering, a twin sunroof with power sunshades, and a smart cruise control system that automatically adjusts speed to maintain a set distance from the car you're following.

Drivers had mostly positive comments about the 2005 E500 sedan, citing the vehicle's smooth ride, quick acceleration, responsive handling, and numerous creature comforts as among its positive features. The previous year's E500 sedan had a number of mechanical problems, according to some drivers, but those problems appeared to have been fixed for the 2005 model year.