DriveTech

2007 Mercedes Benz E350 is a dream to drive

Success in business is often measured by what you drive and at one time those at the top chose a Cadillac. Today, Mercedes Benz has that honor. There's nothing wrong with a Cadillac, especially today's Cadillac, but Mercedes Benz has always been a leader overseas and it's carried that tradition to the United States.

If you feel I'm wrong, you're entitled, but drive over to Escondido Motors on 9th Street off the I-15 and climb behind the wheel of a new 2007 E350. This isn't the most expensive car Escondido Motors sells; it's a more affordable Mercedes. But the first time you sit behind the leather and wood combination steering wheel, take a deep breath and you know you're in a Mercedes Benz.

The 2007 E350 hasn't changed much from 2006 except for a few minor enhancements. My test vehicle came with a beautiful color combination - a very nice pewter exterior with a black cognac leather interior (a new interior color for 2007).

It's powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-foot of torque. That's backed by a driver adaptive seven-speed automatic transmission that also has touch shift so you can manually shift. This power package gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 MPG on the freeway.

Even though this is considered a luxury car, it has plenty of power thanks to independent front suspension with four-link and anti-dive geometry. In the rear it has independent five-arm multi-link suspension. Add the standard 245/45R1795H-rated all-season tires mounted on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels and you're ready for the open road.

There's also a Sport Package available from Mercedes Benz and Escondido Motors ordered it for this E350. It adds pure enhancements to an already perfect package by replacing the 17-inch tire and wheel package with an 18-inch package and 10 spoke alloy wheels, sport rear bumper with chrome dual exhaust tips, black bird's eye maple wood trim that is gorgeous and a matte chrome surrounding the white-faced gauges. Are you ready for the cost of this Sport Package? Zero! It's included if you choose the sport model.

Once inside the E350, you'll find typical Mercedes Benz creature comforts such as center console with cup holders, plenty of storage and a great dash layout with easy touch climate control and navigation system. There's also a dual zone A/C, 10-way adjustable front seats with three-position memory, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control and a Harmon Kardon Logic 7Digital Surround Sound system with AM/FM/WB/single-disc CD and an in-dash six-CD changer.

You can opt for Sirius Radio and hookups for cell phone operation, which allows you to talk hands free and keep your hands on the wheel. You also get a power sun roof, electric adjustable up and down and telescoping steering wheel, auto dimming inside and outside mirrors, infrared remote central locking system, push button start and stop and a lot more features I haven't even touched on.

How did I like the ride? It's been a while since I was in an E-class and I was expecting the typical Mercedes feel, but it wasn't there (if you've driven older Mercedes Benz, you know what I'm talking about). This E-class is a dream to drive because it has plenty of power even with a V6. It handles the curves of Alpine like a true sport sedan, has room for your biggest friends in the very roomy back seat and has looks that will make most people drool. The car is truly a driver's car as it seems to adapt to your driving style. In fact, this is another one of those testers I will hate to give back.

Mercedes Benz prides itself on safety so the E350 comes with dual front airbags with multi stage deployment, head protection curtain, side air bags in the front and rear, roll over sensors (this is not a convertible, it's just heavy on safety), steel reinforced cabin area and crumple zones surrounding the occupants. Mercedes Benz also has a system kind of like On-Star, which it calls Tele Aid Emergency Calling and Communication System. Unlike On Star, it comes standard on the E350.

This is a lot of car for your money, but if you can't pony up the $50,550 base price for this E350, don't fret. Escondido Motors has a certified used car department so you can find a used Mercedes Benz that fits your style and bank account. Give Escondido Motors a call at (760) 743-5000.

Next week, I'll test drive a Nissan from Mossy Motors in Escondido.