Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (10 on) - Review

There are four petrol and three diesel engines. The E200 CGI and E250 CGI petrol engines are the most popular and both use the same 1.8-litre turbocharged engine in two different power outputs of 184bhp and 204bhp respectively. The E200 comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, manages the 0-62mph dash in 7.8 seconds, emits 172g/km of CO2 and returns an average of 39mpg. The E250 gets a five-speed automatic as standard (optional on the E200) emits 185g/km of CO2 and manages 36mpg. The E350 is powered by a 292bhp 3.5-litre V6 while the E500 uses a 5.5-litre V8 that boasts 387bhp and both are great units to drive with a lovely sound and plenty of smooth power on tap. The E500 is quick as you'd expect and sprints from 0-62mph in just 5.3 seconds while fuel economy of 26mpg and CO2 emissions of 257g/km aren't too bad for such a powerful engine. The E350 is more frugal with average economy of 33mpg but performance is still strong thanks to a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds. Both engines come with a very smooth seven-speed automatic gearbox but it's the diesels that offer lower emissions and improved fuel consumption. The E220 CDI has a six-speed manual as standard and returns 53mpg. Using the same engine, the E250 CDI ups power output to 204bhp and lowers the 0-62mph time to 7.8 second yet still averages 52mpg. Finally, there's the superb 3.0-litre V6 in the E350 CDI that boasts 231bhp and a seven-speed automatic. It covers the 0-62mph benchmark in 6.9 seconds and averages 41mpg.

Despite removing the solid roof, Mercedes-Benz says the E-Class Cabriolet has the same body strength as the coupe model. This is easy to believe as the Cabriolet’s body is free of rattles, creaks and shimmies, even on the most demanding of roads. It lets the E-Class Cabriolet slip along any road with an imperious sense of quality that is missing in some alternatives. Nothing upsets the composure but it's not the most engaging drive when you want to press on a little harder. Most owners will see this as a positive bonus, but the E-Class’ steering could still do with some more sensation when negotiating twisting back lanes and it could also be slightly lighter to twirl when parking. However all models come with Advanced Parking Guidance as standard.