302 horsepower? Check. All-wheel drive? Check. Perfect combination for the winter storm we just had in the Northeast. We’ve been driving the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 for the past week and we have got to say — it’s a pretty awesome car. Granted, the vibrating steering wheel when you change lines without a signal or the seat belts that tighten when you turn on the car might scare you, but that’s all in the name of safety.
Our E350 had a 3.5L V6 producing 302 horsepower and 273 ft.-lbs. of torque, perfectly mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The suspension rode beautifully over bumps and hills, the turning circle was massive and the steering made it a real treat to drive. At almost 16 feet long, you knew you were riding in style.
If you’re a tall person like myself, you know that any passenger sitting behind the driver has to be a small child or very petite person. Not in the E350. Ample rear legroom allowed for a 6-foot tall passenger to sit behind me with room to spare. The options in our E350 included the Premium 1 package which comes with the Harmon Kardon audio system, iPhone connectivity, Sirius radio, heated seats and a backup camera with an amazingly clear picture, among other things.
Recommended? Absolutely. Much better than the 2011 E350 we’ve driven, which had the sport suspension and the smaller engine. The 2013 E350 is a great car for families and businessmen. Our test vehicle, with the Premium 1 package and 4MATIC system, had an MSRP of $55,900. Grade: A-
*During the coming days, we will be working on an appropriate rating system for our test drives.*
The Autocracy 