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| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon, an AW Drivers Log: Posted: 23 Dec 2010 06:45 AM PST  Jake Lingeman The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: This elegant Mercedes cut through a dim, dreary morning in late fall to propel me to work, even as my eyelids remained heavy. The steering is a touch light, but it makes for easy navigation of this large hauler. The suspension is comfortable and soft, though not overly so, so there’s still a degree of Mercedes sport mojo present. It’s a big car, but I didn’t experience much roll or flab, and this car has a taut demeanor. The potent V6 is strong from launch and adept at passing; I summoned 6,000 rpm to hit 70 mph from a crawl in expressway congestion with ease. My one beef here is, why premium fuel for a 268-hp, naturally aspirated V6? Inside is a quiet, luxurious setting with handsome black and faux wood parts. The silver dials are easy to read and sharp, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. This oversized steering wheel has a sporty shape, which always helps with a wagon, and nice leather grips. It adds an element of fun to an otherwise austere vehicle. The sound system is smooth, and I savored some mellow Springsteen piano ballads on the way in to set a mellow vibe. The outside features subtle curves around the wheels, athletic exhaust outlets and impressive headlights and taillights. Mercedes has crystallized its designs in recent years, becoming sharper and more lined; I like it. The E-class is an impressive execution, and the V6 wagon is simply another well-done iteration of that. COPY CHIEF WENDY WARREN KEEBLER: Greg! Your eyelids were heavy? I could barely focus on the other, no doubt sterling aspects of the Mercedes wagon because I was bewildered by the little steaming-coffee-cup icon on the IP, below the speedometer and the external temp gauge. I tried to persuade myself that it looked like a tire-pressure-monitor symbol, but no. I learned later that it is indeed a steaming coffee cup and that it is a Mercedes nanny that warns you not to drive while you’re drowsy. Greg, were you and your heavy eyelids not paying attention? The graphic stayed lit steadily throughout my half-hour in-bound commute, but I swear I was wide awake the whole time--perhaps this was a comment on my driving style? EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: This has to be among the most sedate of the E-class models, a luxury liner par excellence to be sure, but not a terribly exciting car either. I drove it very deliberately and patiently, not making any sudden moves whether accelerating, braking or steering. I was rewarded with a calm, quiet, comfortable drive, with the audio system providing a perfect accompaniment. This is why Mercedes sells a bunch of these Es--not for their performance prowess, but for their unflappable steadiness. I felt like I could’ve driven a thousand miles without growing weary. Bored maybe, but not tired. ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER TARA KLEIN: I found myself frustrated in the first few moments of my encounter with the Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon, as my fingers blindly fumbled around on the side of and underneath the driver’s seat, trying to locate the controls to move it forward to accommodate my short stature. My grimace quickly turned to embarrassment when my eyes graced the door panel that featured a clear representation of the seat, and the buttons that controlled it. My comfort level instantly followed and I got on my way. The smooth, almost untraceable shifting through the seven gears made for a series of pleasant weekend drives. One of these trips included a grocery stop with my mother. As we both piled our foodie finds into the cart for our respective households, I didn’t flinch when it came to the thought about room in the vehicle. The rear cargo area easily swallowed all of our bags and two cases of bottled water, and we didn’t even need to put one item in the second row of seats. Other than the large storage capacity this wagon has, the interior overall was quite impressive and featured a mixture of high-quality materials that radiated the feeling of luxury. The composition of the center console was right on, with the radio control rooted exactly where my hand naturally rests. As an avid song-switcher, having that literally right at my fingertips and having the ability to keep my eyes on the roads at all times is an excellent benefit. Speaking of keeping my eyes on the roads, those roads are getting whiter with snow these days, and this E-class handled the change in season without a hitch. The level of stability and quality of handling stayed consistent throughout all of the road situations I encountered, even my parent’s pockmarked dirt road. I can see a lot of SUV and crossover fans taking a long look at this Mercedes. The third-row seating capacity and storage space are enticing, and the sharp Mercedes look and ride quality don’t hurt, either. The price does leave a bit of a sting and will probably turn some heads the other way, but if you are in the market for a luxury hauler that fits just about anything and can massage you along the way, this is a good contender. 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon Base Price: $57,075 As-Tested Price: $66,890 Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; RWD, seven-speed automatic Output: 268 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 2,400-5,000 rpm Curb Weight: 4,213 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 19/18.6 mpg Options: Premium package including COMAND system with 40GB hard drive, GPS navigation, real-time traffic data, voice control, 6GB music register, Harmon/Kardon surround sound with Dolby Digital 5.1 HD radio, satellite radio, iPod/MP3 media interface cable, heated front seats, rear side window sunshades, bixenon headlights with active curve illumination, adaptive high-beam assist, LED daytime running lamps, headlamp washers, keyless-go ($5,950); black leather ($1,620); wheel package including 18-inch AMG twin six-spoke alloy wheels, sport steering wheel ($750); palladium silver paint ($720); drive-dynamic multicontour driver’s seat with massage ($660); AC power outlet ($115) |
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