Best Family Luxury Coupes: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Concluding our week-long series on the best family luxury coupes, it’s only fitting that Family Car Guide includes a full-size luxury model. Today we take an in-depth look at the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. For some consumers looking for first-class luxury in every aspect of a family coupe, nothing comes close to a Mercedes-Benz. In the full-size luxury coupe category, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupes deliver.

Completely redesigned inside and out last year, for 2011 the four-seat, two-door, rear-wheel drive (RWD) luxury sports coupe is available in E350 and E550 models, with manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) starting at $48,850 and $55,450, respectively. The former is V-6-powered, while the latter delivers sportier performance from a V-8 engine.

In a review of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, The Car Connection gave it an overall 8.6 (out of 10) rating, including 10 for features, 9 for safety, and 8 for styling, performance and quality. The 2011 E-Class coupe has not yet been reviewed by TCC.

Performance and Fuel Economy

The V-6-powered 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 has a 3.5-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of peak torque. Step up to the E550 model and power comes from a 5.5-liter V-8 engine delivering 382 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 391 pound-feet of peak torque. Both models have standard seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Fuel economy for such performance is an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway (E350) and 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway (E550).

Technology

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe is loaded with standard or optional technology features (some bundled in packages). Standard audio, navigation and communication technology includes seven-inch COMAND display screen, Bluetooth interface, eight-speaker audio system, six-disc CD/DVD in-dash CD changer with video playback when in park position, and memory card slot.

In the Premium 1 package, buyers get the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation, Zagat restaurant guide and Gracenote database, harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround-sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1, enhanced voice control, 6GB music register, Sirius Satellite Radio with real-time traffic, iPod/MP3 media interface, HD digital radio, rear-view camera, power rear sunshade, and heated rear seats.

Premium 2 package adds heated and ventilated active front seats, headlamp washing system, bi-xenon headlamp system with active curve illumination, adaptive highbeam assist, LED daytime running lights, LED front turn indicators, and Keyless-Go.

The Distronic Plus package includes Distronic Plus with Pre-Safe brake system and parktronic with parking guidance.