Even though owner costs tend to be higher than average, the E-Class made Consumer Reports’ Recommended list…

An all-new 2010-model year E-Class Coupe beat its sedan counterpart into Canadian Mercedes-Benz dealerships, in mid-2009.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2010 to 2012

Style, safety and comfort are fundamental characteristics of an E-Class, which is considered to be one of the safest cars in the world. This generation’s E-Class came with ten air bags and a new Pre-Safe system that readies all on-board safety systems, when it detects that a collision may be about to happen.

A car to savour on a long road trip, this E-Class came with a new “Intelligent” body structure that’s 30 per cent more rigid than its predecessor, incredibly comfortable seating and a newly developed suspension with shock absorbers that automatically adjust to a driving situation.

An optional air suspension was also available with an electronic damping system.

The E350 (coupe or sedan) is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 with 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The E550 (coupe or sedan) has a 5.5 litre V8 that can generate 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The sedan also comes in a high-performance AMG 63 edition with a 6.2-litre V8 that makes 518 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque.

All three engines are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and drive goes to the rear wheels of the Coupe and to all four wheels of the Sedan. The rear-drive 3.5L V6 gets best fuel economy at 11.9 L/100/km in the city and 7.6 L/100/km on the highway. The 6.2L V8 is the gas guzzler, with a city/highway rating of 16.5/10.2 L/100/km.

All three engines also prefer premium fuel.

A standard Dynamic Handling package also allows the driver choose a sporty-set-up at the touch of a button. This changes the continuously variable damping, the speed-sensitive power steering (with variable centering), ESP/ASR (traction control), accelerator response, and the speed of automatic gear changes.

New active safety innovations included Attention Assist, which is a driver drowsiness monitor, Pre-Safe, which is preventative occupant protection system, Adaptive High Beam Assist, which automatically dims headlight high beams, and an automatic emergency braking system called Distronic Plus.

Attention Assist is a warning system that can sense a drop in driver attention level. It continuously monitors more than 70 different driver performance parameters, such as erratic steering behaviour, and will signal when it’s time for the driver to take a break.

Four new E-Class models were added for the 2011 model year: an E350 4MATIC station wagon, E350 BlueTEC diesel sedan, and two convertibles, the E350 cabriolet and E550 cabriolet. At highway cruising speeds you can barely hear the E350 BlueTEC diesel engine, throttle response is fast (for a diesel) and pulling power (398 lb ft of torque from 1600 to 2400 rpm) is phenomenal.

Engine upgrades followed in 2012. The E350 4MATIC got a direct-injection 3.5-litre V6. The E550 4MATIC got a 4.6-litre bi-turbo V8 and the E63 AMG got a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8. All models also receive a revised transmission, electric power steering and LED license plates.

Even though owner costs tend to be higher than average, the E-Class made Consumer Reports’ ‘Recommended list of cars to buy and the E350 BlueTEC was singled out for special praise.

If style, comfort and safety top your auto “wish list” – and if you’ve got the money – consider the remarkable Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Price Check – 2010 – 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (October 2013)

Year                             Edition                                       Expect to Pay Today

2010                    E350 Coupe/Sedan                                   $32,000 to $38,000

2011                    E350 Coupe/Sedan                                   $39,000 to $46,000

2012                    E350 Coupe/Sedan                                   $49,000 to $57,000

Prices vary depending on a used vehicle’s condition, mileage, usage and history. A complete mechanical check should always be performed by a reliable auto technician prior to purchase.

Recalls on the 2010 to 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:

2010-2011 – The power steering assist system may fail due to the loss of power steering fluid from a fitting on a high-pressure power steering line. Dealers will inspect, tighten the fitting and, if necessary, replace an O-ring seal.

2011 – Rear window privacy glass may not conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 – Glazing Materials. Dealers will replace the affected windows.

2011 – Diesel fuel may leak from a fuel heater o-ring seal, on the fuel filter assembly, in vehicles equipped with a diesel engine. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the diesel fuel filter assembly.

2012 – The right side window curtain airbag may have been manufactured incorrectly and, as a result, could deflate more quickly than intended following deployment. Dealers will replace the right side window curtain airbag.

Email: bob [dot] mchugh [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca