The Mercedes-Benz E Class has been, for more than 20 years, one of the most successful cars among all mid-size luxury sedans. For many, the E class has been the perfect compromise between the overly-expensive and gaudy S Class, and the all too ordinary C Class.

There have been few changes to the E Class for this year’s model, although it continues to have a dignified, refined and capable presence. The most popular models in recent years have been the E350 and the E550, while a new desire for fuel efficiency may make the E320 Bluetec more popular. It’s the only diesel mid-size luxury sedan on the market today and uses a special additive to make the diesel V6 run much cleaner than older diesel models. If power is more your thing, the E63 AMG has a V8 with 507 horsepower – it can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds, a time some sports cars can’t match.

Although the E Class is expensive, it compares favorably to its competitors, which include the Audi A6, the BMW 5 Series, the Infiniti M35/M45, the Jaguar XF, the Cadillac CTS, and the Lexus GS. Any of these cars is a good choice, but if you want a luxury car that blends performance and a superior reputation, the E Class is the choice to make. If you can spare the extra money, you’ll find that this car is well worth the cost.

The E Class sedan comes with an elegant, two-tone cabin, and the seats are comfortable and supple. The COMAND interface can take some time to understand, but once you do, you’ll find the instrumentation easy to read and attractive. The rear seat has room for two, but isn’t overwhelmingly roomy. If you need more space, there’s a third seat in the wagon model which can accommodate two passengers.

Handling and power are adequate in the E Class, as long as you’re heading down a straight line. Get into the corners, however, and you’ll notice body roll and a soft feel to the brakes that does nothing for your confidence. For cruising in the city or taking long road trips, however, you have the perfect car. If you’re after a touring car, the best car in the E Class may be the E320 Bluetec, which accelerates as quickly as the gasoline powered E350, but offers more torque and better fuel economy.

In terms of safety features, all E Class vehicles have stability control, antilock brakes featuring brake assist, full length side curtain airbags, front and rear side airbags and the TeleAid emergency system. PreSafe – Mercedes’ system that anticipates when a crash is imminent and takes steps to make vehicle occupants more secure – is also standard on all vehicles in the class. In government testing, the E Class sedan earned four stars on front impact crashes and five stars on side impact crashes, making it a relatively safe choice.

The engine in the E350 is a 3.5 liter V6, the wagon is all wheel drive only, and the sedan is available with rear wheel drive or with 4Matic all wheel drive.

The final word on the Mercedes-Benz E Class is this – if you’re after a car that’s above average in just about every area, including performance and styling, the E Class is the choice for you.