2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Thinking back, I can’t recall anyone complaining that the E-Class wasn’t fast enough. Certainly there have been have been hushed...

Thinking back, I can’t recall anyone complaining that the E-Class wasn’t fast enough. Certainly there have been have been hushed declarations from scared old men in country club bars about the unimaginable power of the 6.2-liter V8. But a call for more power? No. Still, Mercedes seems to have sensed a need and done their best to fill it. For 2012, the E-Class boasts three new engines – all more powerful and more efficient - as well as the return of the E63 wagon. There are more, less significant changes to the E-Class lineup as well, but we’ll get to those. For now, let’s concentrate on petrol power.

The E350 is available in all four body styles – sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible – and is powered by a new, direct-injected, 3.5-liter V6 that cracks the 300-hp ceiling for the first time. 34 extra horses were added over last year’s numbers, not to mention 15 extra lb-ft of torque, adding up to 302 and 273, respectively. It gets a 7-speed automatic transmission, and the E350 comes standard in RWD in sedan, coupe and convertible form, with the wagon getting standard 4MATIC AWD, optional on the sedan. The E350 BlueTEC has to make do with the same engine from last year – a 3.5-liter turbodiesel V6 that brings 210 horsepower to the table.

The E550 jumps up two cylinders to V8 power and here gets a new turbocharged 4.6-liter powerplant. That’s a drop in displacement over last year’s 5.5-liter V8, but the turbocharging more than makes up for it with 20 extra horses and an incredible 52 more lb-ft of torque. All E550s will also get electromechanical steering, as does any E-Class with AWD. Both apply to the E550 sedan, as it’s only available with 4MATIC, but the coupe and convertible retain the more traditional RWD setup for those who still enjoy breaking the back end loose once in a while. Sadly, the RWD sedan is no longer available, and you can’t get the E550 as a wagon, either.

For that, you’ll have to jump up to the E63 AMG. The E63 wagon returns this year and gets the same tuning treatment from AMG as the sedan. Only available in RWD, the E63 gets a 7-speed automated manual transmission that’s almost as sporty as a traditional 3-pedal. Of course, when you’re dealing with the 518 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque from the E63's new, twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V8, you’ll likely be happy to be able to keep both hands on the wheel. For those keeping track, hp figures stay the same as those delivered from last year’s 6.2-liter NA V8, but torque has jumped up by 51 lb-ft, which should be more than enough to rip the rubber right off the 18-inch alloy wheels. Don’t worry though, you can still pay extra for unique 19-inch alloys for the E63, if empty space in the wheelwells offends you.

Regardless of trim chosen, the interior of the E-Class won’t disappoint. Borrowing heavily from its S-Class brother, the materials and design exceed even this lofty class. Changes throughout the trim lineup are mainly aesthetic, with wood and metal accents as well as LED lighting providing a classy ambiance. Sedans and wagons have room to spare for heads and legs, but coupes and convertibles will leave passengers wanting for headspace up front and space in general in the rear. If your head keeps hitting the ceiling, you can at least drop the soft top in the convertible, which takes just a push of a button and 20 seconds, and can be accomplished at speeds up to 25 mph.

The E550 trims handle best, with their electronic air suspension providing a lovely blend of comfort and performance. The lighter E350 is sprightlier in the turns, but doesn’t have the same bump absorption. There’s a Sport option for the E550 as well as a performance package for the AMG trims, and they’re well worth the extra money if performance is your ultimate goal. Rather than simply stiffening everything and ruining the ride on anything other than glass-smooth surfaces, these options provide the kind of subtle grace we’ve come to revere in the best Euro automobiles.

There were few complaints regarding the E-Class other than price, so adding more power and more efficiency isn’t likely to change things much. The good news is that if you’ve got the scratch to offer, the E-Class can fit nearly any need – even if your need is a 5-door family funster that can hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. What’s more amazing is that the E550’s twin-turbo V8 is now capable of numbers that only the revered AMG could achieve just a few years prior. Whatever you want is yours – for a price.