The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been a bastion of luxury, safety and image, but recent models were short on equipment compared to rivals from Audi, Lexus, etc. All that has changed for 2007. The E-Class isn't totally new, but it has been substantially upgraded: new V8 engine, choice of same-price Luxury or Sport versions, and many other details that make it a much better value for your luxury-car dollar. Price: E350 sedan, $50,550.
The front bumper and grille (link goes to photo) now protrude in a pointy Cadillac-like prow and the openings near the air dam are larger. Slight changes in front-end trim differentiate Luxury and Sport versions, as do wheels (17" alloys for the Luxury, 18s for the Sport). The taillights now have a large clear center section housing the turn flasher and backup lights. Sport models get LED taillights and big twin chrome tailpipe tips. (The Luxury also gets dual exhaust, but the tailpipes are tucked under the bumper.) Look closely and you'll see that the Sport gets a slight bluish tinge to the glass, while the Luxury gets green. The Luxury's interior looks much like last year's model, aside from a new steering wheel with cool soft-touch buttons. Sport models get a darker, more purposeful interior with black maple wood trim in place of the Luxury's brown walnut, plus white-face gauges and contrasting colors on seats and door panels. My only major complaint has to do with the Luxury's light-colored dash: In direct sun the reflected glare off the windshield was brutal.
