2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class vs. Its Competition

2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class 4-door Wagon Sport 3.5L 4MATIC Angular Front Exterior View

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Mar 12, 2012

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class, Audi A6, and BMW 5-Series are all close rivals, and the Infiniti M Sedans and Jaguar XF are also good alternatives in some respects.

The Audi A6 was completely redesigned this past year, and its interior feels a class above, but its back seat is quite small.

The BMW 5-Series lineup offers a firm sport-sedan personality, along with just as many, if not more active-safety features and high-tech options.

Infiniti's M sedan is a suave counterpart from Japan, with a choice of six- and eight-cylinder engines, and rear- or all-wheel drive.

Meanwhile, the Jaguar XF is a surprising enthusiasts' choice, with a classy look inside and out plus an eager performance driving feel.

Another off-the-radar choice might be the Hyundai Genesis, which has a high-$30,000 price tag, a fantastic interior, rear-drive power delivery, and a nearly 400-horsepower V-8.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Audi A6 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 BMW 5-Series Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Hyundai Genesis Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Jaguar XF Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.2 The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E Class models have sharper driving appeal than in the past, while also returning to the classy interior appointments and vault-like construction that have made them longtime luxury benchmarks.	8.4 It's the same V-6 blast to drive as the far more sexy A7, which makes the 2012 Audi A6 a little irrelevant for those not fixated on five seats or four cylinders.	8.6 The 2012 BMW 5-Series appears somewhat conservative on the outside, but it packs an armada of advanced-tech firepower, and new fuel-efficient engines, without interrupting its sport-sedan mission.	8 The Genesis' impressive details and execution make it a pragmatic luxury-car choice, especially in the quick, plush V-6 version.	8.4 Scorching acceleration, nimble handling, and true luxury-car refinement complement style and fashion to swoon over in the 2012 Jaguar XF; backseat space remains its only reality check.
MSRP From
$49,800	$41,700	$46,900	$34,200	$53,000
Gas Mileage
15 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V6	Turbocharged Gas I4	Turbocharged Gas I4	Gas V6	Gas V8
EPA Class
Subcompact Cars	Midsize Cars	Mid-Size	Large car	Midsize Car
Style Name
2-Door Coupe E350 RWD	4-Door Sedan FrontTrak 2.0T Premium	4-Door Sedan 528i RWD	4-Door Sedan V6 3.8L	4-Door Sedan
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
4	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	4	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Coupe	Sedan	4dr Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Automatic	Continuously Variable Ratio	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/Manual Shift