New cars: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

What the critics say about the $57,725–$65,675 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Automobile

“It’s no sports car,” but the all-new E-Class convertible successfully evokes the celebrated Mercedes-Benz heritage of sporty boulevard drop-tops. Exceptional comfort and spirited performance make it ideal for “relaxed, luxurious, isn’t-life-grand cruising.” A folding fabric roof, which can be raised or lowered when moving at speeds up to 25 mph, leaves plenty of trunk room for luggage.

Car and Driver

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

To drive the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is to “step into the brand’s past.” Sure, it suffers from “overwrought styling,” but it also includes such high-spirited features as sport suspension, a “throaty exhaust rasp,” and an engine that’s “plenty fast”—the car is available in the U.S. with a powerful 382-hp, 5.5-liter V8 or a 3.5-liter V6. Still, we expect most buyers won’t be gear-heads but “people who like to see and be seen.”

Popular Mechanics

The new E-Class is “easy, breezy, beautiful” from just about every angle. When the top is down, its electronically actuated AirCap spoiler, mounted atop the windshield, deflects air over front- and rear-seat passengers’ heads, while AirScarf headrest vents blow warm air onto passengers’ necks to keep them comfortable. “Only rain could force me to raise the roof” on this plush, pampering, convertible sportster.

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us