The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class portfolio offers a broad variety of options for customers who want the highest standards in their vehicles. Last year, the only body types available were a sedan and a coupe, but this year there is a brand-new convertible, and the ever-popular E-Class wagon is back.
The 2018 E-Class wagon is a welcome addition to the E-Class lineup, and it’s a good option in the admittedly niche luxury wagon market.
In addition to the refinement expected of an E-Class vehicle, the wagon’s comfortable, highly utilitarian character and unusual rearward-facing third-row seat make it stand out. The only engine choice is a 3.5-liter V6, which is less versatile than in other E-Class body types.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models
Sedans, wagons, cabriolets, and coupes are all available for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup. The sedan comes in a variety of various engine configurations, designated by numbers and names (E350, E350 Bluetec, E550, and E63 AMG, respectively).
Just the E350 and E550 versions of the coupe and convertible are available, while only the E350 version of the wagon is.
Sunroof, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power front seats with memory functions, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, MB-Tex premium vinyl upholstery, COMAND electronics interface, Bluetooth, eight-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer and auxiliary audio jack, and all-wheel drive are all standard on the E350 and E350 Bluetec sedans.
In comparison, the E350 coupe features a panoramic sunroof and athletic seats. A power rear gate and a rear camera are two features exclusive to the wagon over the sedan. The Cabriolet comes with leather upholstery, a motorized cloth top, and a wind deflector called AirCap as standard features.
The E550 sedan has a V8 engine, air suspension, and leather upholstery above the base E350 model, while the E550 coupe has a sport body package, lowered suspension, and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
The E550 convertible has a V8 engine and 18-inch wheels in addition to the 17-inch wheels seen in the E350 convertible. Power rear sunshade, hard drive-based navigation, voice controls, a rearview camera, heated front seats, and a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with digital music storage, HD radio, satellite radio, and an iPod/MP3 player interface are all part of the Premium 1 package, which is standard on all E350 and E550 models.
The Premium 2 package includes everything in the Premium 1 package, plus keyless ignition/entry and adaptive bi-xenon headlights with adaptive high-beam assist. A Driving Assistance package is offered for both the sedan and wagon, which includes blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.
The sedan offers parking sensors and a back-seat entertainment system as separate add-ons. The panoramic sunroof, infrared night-vision camera, upscale leather seating, and multi-contour driver seat with massage are all options for both the sedan and the wagon.
A bigger V8, a sport gearbox, customizable driving settings, adaptive sport suspension, high-performance brakes, and a sport steering wheel are just some of the features included on the E63 AMG.
Optional packages include the Premium 1, Premium 2, and Driver Assist groups, as well as the AMG Performance group, which includes 19-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, even sportier suspension tuning, and a leather or faux-suede steering wheel.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overview
The new E-Class Cabriolet is a sleek cruiser that can seat four and comes with a comprehensive list of premium amenities. It replaces the CLK-Class drop-top, which has been phased out.
With its typical soft top rather than a more complicated (and heavy and expensive) retractable hardtop like the 2011 BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37 convertibles, the E-Class Cabriolet is less sporty. When it comes to elegance, nevertheless, this Mercedes is a class leader, as proven by its peerlessly calm ride quality.
The standard E-Class car is what most consumers will consider. The aristocratic E-Class sedan has an unflappable demeanor because of its solid construction and seeming overengineering; its tight chassis and intuitive steering translate to superb handling.
The 2011 E350 Bluetec is very new, and it has a clean diesel engine that claims to get more than 30 mpg on the interstate. When it comes to straight-line acceleration, the E63 AMG is on par with many sports cars, and it even outperforms some smaller sport sedans when the going gets twisty.
Mercedes has produced not one but four formidable automobiles with its impressive portfolio. There are, of course, alternatives, especially when it comes to sedans.
While the 2011 BMW 5 Series is the sportier option, the 2011 Jaguar XF is the more attractive model, and the 2011 Infiniti M37 is the more affordable option, the E-Class sedan excels in every category. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the pinnacle of luxury automobiles and is available in four distinct body styles: sedan, coupe, wagon, and cabriolet.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Expert Review
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a victory in the luxury automobile segment because it is fun to drive, has excellent quality, and comes in a wide variety of body designs.
The wagon body design and diesel-fueled V6 engine are back for 2011 as options for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The coupe has received new grille mesh, and all body types have received restyled headlamp control switches and moved ESP controls, among other minor cosmetic and interior modifications.
Pros
- Excellent harmony between riding comfort and maneuverability,
- High-powered engines,
- Wide variety of conveniences and security measures,
- Roomy inside of the car’s sedan.
Cons
- Poor COMAND usability at times,
- Disputed for its contentious outward design, the sedan.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Performance
The 3.5-liter V6 in the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan, wagon, convertible, and coupe generates 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel in the E350 Bluetec sedan generates 210 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The automatic transmission has seven gears and is fully automated.
The E350 convertible and coupe accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds in performance testing. The E350 coupe and convertible have similar fuel efficiency as the sedan (18 city/26 highway/21 combined mpg according to the EPA). Mercedes claims the E350 Bluetec will get 24 city/33 highway mpg, and the new wagon is estimated to get 16/23/19 mpg.
A 5.5-liter V8 produces 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque in the E550s. The seven-speed automatic is once again the default. The E550 sedan and coupe were timed at 5.3 seconds for the 0–60 mph sprint in performance testing. The EPA estimates the sedan’s MPG to be 15/23/18.
The sedans (E350 and E550) come standard with rear-wheel drive, while the wagon (E350) comes standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Only rear-wheel drive is offered on the E-Class coupes and convertibles.
The E63 AMG is capable of 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque thanks to its 6.3-liter V8 engine. It is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for further sportiness.
Mercedes claims the E63 can go from 0 to 60 mph in an astonishing 4.4 seconds, which is impressive for a huge four-door car. If you’re concerned about fuel efficiency, know that it’s 13/21 mpg.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Safety
Standard safety features on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class include antilock disc brakes, stability/traction control, front side airbags, front pelvic airbags, side curtain airbags, and a driver knee airbag.
The sleepiness and alertness monitor Attention Assist and the crash-avoidance system PreSafe are both standard features (it anticipates an imminent crash and automatically takes measures to better secure occupants).
The Driving Assistance package includes PreSafe braking, lane departure warning and correction, and blind-spot monitoring. Sedans, coupes, and convertibles may be outfitted with optional rear side airbags, while sedans and wagons can be outfitted with an infrared night vision system.
The government gave the E-Class sedan a strong four stars for frontal collision protection and a flawless five stars for side impact protection in crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the sedan the best possible score of “good” in both frontal offset and side impact crash testing.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Interior
The interior of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is designed to evoke the sedan’s “Rock-Solid Reliability” tagline. Very German in its crisp angles, high-quality materials, and gloomy aesthetic (think: lots of black and brown, with some dark wood accents).
All body types have the same basic layout, with the exception of the sporty three-spoke steering wheel and electronic gear selector that can be ordered as options (column-mounted in the sedan and wagon; console-mounted in the coupe, convertible, and AMG).
Mercedes’ COMAND electronic interface, which consists of a big display screen, a control knob, and buttons on the dashboard, is standard on all E-Class vehicles. There is a slight learning curve, but overall, the system is on par with those found in Audi and BMW vehicles.
The E-Class sedan, convertible, and wagon all excel in terms of interior room and comfort. The chairs are hard, yet they provide limitless support and comfort for the duration of the trip. Sport seats in the coupe and AMG variants provide a snugger fit to keep you in place on twisty roads.
The sedan’s back seat has a lot of space and is almost as comfortable as the one in the BMW 5 Series, which is a midsize luxury car. The wagon has a rear-facing third-row seat and a maximum load capacity of 57 cubic feet.
The interior is one of the quietest of any convertible, thanks to the AirCap system, and the convertible seats four passengers comfortably, as long as the back seat occupants are shorter than 5 feet, 9 inches. The coupe has roughly the same amount of legroom as a typical premium two-door but significantly less headroom in the backseat.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Comfort and Driving
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers an excellent compromise between comfort and control. The E stands out as the most versatile, enjoyable, and assured vehicle in its class over a wide range of terrain and driving conditions.
While it may not be the most sporty option, it does provide a very tactile steering experience, potent engines, and a stable chassis. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an outstanding luxury vehicle in every way.
Furthermore impressive is the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. It would be fair to use that term for anything that can carry five passengers in reasonable comfort and accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. Its transmission, wheels, tires, suspension, and brakes have all been upgraded to improve its performance.
Conclusion
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a high dependability rating and excellent safety ratings. When you consider the E-Class’s potent engines, nimble handling, and plush interior, it’s easy to understand why it’s a top contender among premium midsize vehicles.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class scored so highly in the Luxury Midsize Cars 2011 category that it was ranked second overall. Our current rating for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 8.8 out of 10 and is based on our examination of 32 pieces of research and data from a variety of sources.
Can we Recommend a Used 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2011 is a great premium midsize automobile. It has one of the best cabins in the segment and also excels in safety and dependability ratings. It takes some practice to get the hang of the infotainment system, though.
It offers a variety of powerful motors, from the economical BlueTec diesel to the high-performance 6.3-liter V8 included in the AMG package. The E-Class is a standout among similarly impressive automobiles.
