2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Review

Sophisticated suspension and responsive steering
An attribute I appreciate in premium vehicles is their suspension systems, and the E 350 4MATIC’s Direct Control setup is an excellent example of that finding. As with its high-priced competitors, the E 350 absorbs road destruction with outstanding effectiveness, yet the smooth ride characteristics don’t compromise handling competency.

For a relatively large, posh sedan, the E 350 4MATIC can carve a turn with surprising verve. Mercedes-Benz engineers have managed to push both ends of the comfort/handling envelope with the new E-series. The results are impressive, and pretty well “spot on” in terms of what I like in a family sedan.

Another feature of my tester that I greatly enjoyed was MB’s innovative Direct Steering technology, which reduces steering wheel travel at slow speeds giving a bit of a go-cart feel to maneuvering the large sled.

The E 350 4MATIC is a premium-level 4-door sedan that is commonly found in upscale neighborhoods and golf club parking lots. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

So money buys technology, safety and protection – but is it worth it?
There’s little doubt that bigger money buys “better”—irrespective of whether it’s a house, car or yacht. The “better” list accompanying my E 350 4MATIC tester was far too extensive to repeat in this column.

In addition to the latest and greatest in technology to protect and comfort the wealthy, premium marques—such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar—carry with them a heap of cachet. Whether it’s a leaping cat or a tri-star that tops the hood, prestige vehicles impart a message that many owners hope will characterize them as “wealthy and powerful.” That’s cachet.

In the final analysis, is a vehicle really worth $70+K? The answer to that question is “yes” but with a caveat.

The caveat is this: In the absence of people willing to spend outrageously on automobiles, I doubt that many of the developments that we take for granted—be they safety and protection related or comfort and convenience in nature—would have come to fruition. These features have largely trickled-down from high-end vehicles where there exists a market sufficient to drive cutting-edge R&D.

So if you’ve got it, flaunt it—indirectly, we all benefit.