2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review by Bill Jackson

Some people think a German luxury sedan should be fast, handle harshly and just generally be a big race car. I don't. I think a German luxury sedan should make you feel bad for not dressing up to drive it; you should want to wear a tie when you're behind the wheel. It should not only be comfortable, it should be composed. For me, driving a car like this isn't about screaming through the countryside like an idiot, it's about driving down the road comfortably in a car that's ready for any conditions that come your way.

With this as the benchmark, the Mercedes E-Class succeeds.

I tested the all-wheel-drive E350 4Matic during an icy, dark and dreary Chicago week. It performed very well in these conditions, including a variety of short city trips and a long, backcountry drive to some ski trails. It had its share of quirks — notably some odd steering personality, as well as some lag in acceleration — but overall I think it's one of the better luxury vehicles I've driven.

See also:

Proper use
WARNING There are various warning stickers affixed to your vehicle. Their purpose is to alert you and others to various dangers. Therefore, do not remove any warning stickers unless the sti ...

Changing batteries
Batteries are required for the remote control and for the two sets of cordless headphones. WARNING Keep the batteries out of the reach of children. Consult a doctor immediately if a child sh ...

Switching the ZONE function on/off
This function is only available in vehicles for Canada. To switch on: press the button. The indicator lamp in the button lights up. Dual-zone automatic climate control: the temperature se ...