Mercedes-Benz E250 is part of a full range of E-Class...

Mercedes-Benz E250 is part of a full range of E-Class body styles including the coupe, cabriolet, sedan and wagon with all-wheel drive. Credit: Mercedes-Benz / Scripps Howard News Service

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is like a classic gray suit. It's a safe, conservative choice that looks good no matter where you travel.

That might explain not just its popularity but also why Mercedes-Benz offers a full range of body styles including a coupe, cabriolet, sedan and wagon with all-wheel drive. And the variety doesn't stop there. There's a sizable choice of powertrains as well.

In an unusual move, the least expensive E-Class sedan, the E250 BlueTEC, has a 195-horsepower, 2.1-liter four-cylinder, twin-turbocharged diesel engine. An extra $500 nets the E350 and a gas-powered 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6. Stepping up to the E550 gets you not just another 100 horsepower from its 4.6-liter turbocharged V8, but standard all-wheel drive as well.

If that's not enough power for you, opt for the E63 AMG with its 5.5-liter turbocharged V8, good for 550 horsepower with all-wheel drive, or the E63 AMG S-Model with the same engine and an extra 27 horses under the hood.

Finally, there's a gas-electric hybrid model, the E400, with the same horsepower rating as the E350, and the same EPA- rated highway mileage, but an extra 3 mpg in city driving.

For 2014, all E-Class models get a new proboscis capped by one of two grilles, depending on which option package you choose. All interiors have been redesigned, imparting a richer and sportier feel that's more in keeping with its price.

The E350 has more than enough power for most drivers, but not so much more that you might choose it over the diesel, which has 369 foot pounds of torque, rather than the E350's 269. Yes, the E250 is slower, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, compared with the E350's 6.5 seconds. But mileage was significantly better, returning 39.2 mpg, compared with the 20.5 mpg from the V6.

The standard seven-speed automatic transmission is responsive when left to its own devices, but shifting manually via paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel is disappointing. Gear changes take too long to actuate, especially if you drop down two gears.

Steering is nicely weighted but largely devoid of feel. As you'd expect of a Mercedes-Benz, the car stays planted no matter what you throw at it. This is not a pure driver's car, but it has enough ability and agility to be enjoyed by an enthusiast. In all, it's a very well-rounded package.

For 2014, the E-Class' styling updates, improved ambience, notable safety technology and wide variety of body styles and engines make it one of the benchmarks in this class of car.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Base price: $51,400

Price as tested: $51,900

Engine: 3.5-liter V6

Power: 195 horsepower

Wheelbase: 113.2 inches

Length: 191.7 inches

Weight: 3,979 pounds

Cargo space: 16.4 cubic feet

EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 21/30 mpg

Fuel type: Premium

Bottom line: 'E' is for enticing

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