Because the conventional E-Class sedan is about 175 pounds lighter than its CLS twin, supplying both cars with the same AMG 507-hp V8 should give the E63 slightly better acceleration, though Mercedes claims identical zero-to-60-mph times of 4.3 seconds. Choosing the arguably less stylish E63 saves $7,600, however, and provides the most conservative-looking luxury performance sedan on the market.
Long a favorite in the midsize luxury sport sedan segment, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has provided comfort, performance and safety for decades. The trademark qualities of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, such as vaultlike solidity and leading-edge technology, have also contributed to the E-Class's great popularity among luxury sedan and wagon buyers.
With a breadth of variants in both body styles, ranging from fuel-efficient diesels to ultra-high-performance AMG models, there's usually an E-Class well-suited for anyone -- provided they have the financial resources to own one, of course. Through the years, V6-powered models such as the E320 and E350 have offered respectable performance along with respectable fuel efficiency, while V8 models such as the E430, E500 and E550 have delivered truly autobahn-worthy driving dynamics.
The overall design of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been understated yet elegant. The interiors of the early models were comfortable but hardly lavish. Only with the more recent models have the cabins grown luxurious, with generous helpings of leather, wood and chrome trim throughout.
The chief long-standing rival to the E-Class is its countryman, the BMW 5 Series. Although the E-Class typically offers comparable performance, the Bimmer remains the better choice for serious driving enthusiasts due to its more communicative steering and chassis.
