If you are shopping for a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, you'll need to be a little more specific. The luxury-car benchmark is available in many different forms sedan or wagon, coupe or even convertible, or in thundering E63 AMG cut. The good news is that all of them meet its decades-long heritage, while offering a little more focused driving experience than before. Since its last full redesign this year, the E-Class has improved in several managed to graduate steps. This year's round of changes may be the most dramatic yet, bringing in better energy economy and better performance, more safety technologies, and a cleaner look that drops a few of the furrowed brows of the past three many years. Altogether, it's right up against the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series along with the Infiniti Q70 and Cadillac CTS. For that 2018 model year the E-Class is offered like a E250 Blue TEC sedan; an E350 sedan, truck, coupe or cabriolet; an E550 sedan, coupe, or even cabriolet; and an E63 AMG sedan as well as wagon.

If you are shopping for a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, you'll need to be a little more specific. The luxury-car benchmark is available in many different forms sedan or wagon, coupe or even convertible, or in thundering E63 AMG cut. The good news is that all of them meet its decades-long heritage, while offering a little more focused driving experience than before. Since its last full redesign this year, the E-Class has improved in several managed to graduate steps. This year's round of changes may be the most dramatic yet, bringing in better energy economy and better performance, more safety technologies, and a cleaner look that drops a few of the furrowed brows of the past three many years. Altogether, it's right up against the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series along with the Infiniti Q70 and Cadillac CTS. For that 2018 model year the E-Class is offered like a E250 Blue TEC sedan; an E350 sedan, truck, coupe or cabriolet; an E550 sedan, coupe, or even cabriolet; and an E63 AMG sedan as well as wagon.

The E-Class' unmistakable German presence gets softened considerably this season, massaging out the wrinkles from an overzealous make an effort to give it more masculine character. That's just about all been ironed out, and though the styling changes for that 2018 E-Class are subtle, they make a substantial impact. The front end gets a smoother and much more open bumper, a new hood, and a range of two different grilles. The E-Class' cabin fared better, especially following a recent refashioning, and the fine materials and trims we've arrived at associate with Mercedes are in full impact, as is the solidly constructed feel of the majority of the controls. It takes to expressive use of trim perfectly: the standard vinyl and wood can end up being upgraded to supple leather, aluminum or carbon-look cut. A huge range in drivetrain offerings almost guarantees there's an E-Class for just about any point on the economy/performance curve.

Each of the drive trains is new previously three model years. The basic E350 fuel engine now has direct injection and can make 302 horsepower, while the 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 within the E550 throbs with 402 horsepower. At the surface of the gas-powered, a spooled-up E63 AMG performance edition now churns out 550 hp from the 5.5-liter turbo V-8 or in "S" cut, 577 hp. Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive can also be optional on much of the sedan variety (and standard on U.S market E550 sedans), also its standard on the AMG versions this 12 months. Any of these versions accelerates to sixty mph in 7 seconds or less with the AMG versions throttling the pavement into submission into only 4 seconds. Interior space was improved using the latest E-Class redesign, a couple of in years past, with excellent head and leg room for both front and back seats, which can seat as much as five adults comfortably. Wagon models have much more versatility, with fold-down seats, an open freight space, and two temporary-duties, rear-facing third-row chairs.

Wagons also get a new power tailgate. Over the line, build quality is tight, materials selection is mainly excellent, and quietness is strength. The E Class family provides an impressive number of above-and-beyond active safety features, many of these optional to detect driver drowsiness, monitor blind places, control high beams automatically, maintain an arranged following distance, and help keep you inside your lane. And two of the body styles have earned Top Safety Pick status in the IIHS. Key updates to the 2018 E-Class seriously the electronics side, enhancing safety through a range of sensors and algorithms. With new front-mounted stereo camera system allows three-dimensional imaging of road obstacles and traffic at distances as much as 55 yards, with overall system effectiveness extending out to 550 yards. Standard equipment no more includes satellite radio, and a rearview camera is optional about the base models, but Bluetooth and an energy sunroof are standard. Other luxury upgrades consist of voice-controlled navigation; Sirius and HD Radio; the surround-view camera; heated seats; numerous electronic security assists; and adaptive sport seats. The most coveted feature will be a new 1200-watt; 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with exquisite rendering of sound.

You know what the best wake-up call in the world is? It's not your favorite radio station, nor is it the tender embrace of family or even a puppy licking your face until you stir. It is, in fact, a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 with 612 horsepower singing the song of its people. I know this, because to get to the new Mercedes-AMG E63, I flew from London to Portugal on two hours' sleep. When I plonked myself into the car, I was barely awake, but when I fired it up, brain caffeine happened. Before we get to the noisy stuff, it's time for a refresher on the many toys that come with the E-Class. The car we drove earlier this year claims to be the most intelligent on the road, and the E63 is no different. It comes with all the tech you get on the standard car, including the semi-autonomous(ish) Drive Pilot and its sibling suite of gadgets.