Mercedes-Benz 2006 E320

by Becky J. Beall

Mercedes-Benz—a name synonymous with luxury—introduces the 2006 E320 CDI 5-passenger sedan. This German-engineered vehicle remains faithful to the expectations of a Mercedes-Benz, from high-quality performance to comfort and convenience.

Appearance is always the key to falling in love with a vehicle and the sleek design of this sedan suggests love at first sight. Sink into the leather seating with 10-way power front seats and three position memory. Feel the comfort around you; see the craftsmanship in the burl walnut trim; hear the audio system.

Just like your mother told you, beauty is only skin deep...you should look at the inside...or in this case, under the hood. A diesel 3.2 liter engine with 5-speed automatic transmission, offers more than just power...it offers something sacred today. Great gas mileage! This Mercedes will vary with options and driving conditions, but for the most part, will achieve 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. WOW! For mid-size vehicle classification, this is unbelievable. Even with that noted, I was nervous about driving a vehicle that made a loud, obnoxious diesel noise...you know that sound...the one so loud that you have to turn the engine off at a drive-thru just to hear the speaker? Mercedes must have read my mind because this engine purred like a kitten. No loud noises to be embarrassed by, only smooth humming.

Safety, as always, is of primary concern to consumers and is a priority with Mercedes, as demonstrated with the steel reinforced cabin with front and rear crumple zones. Airbags, airbags, airbags...driver-side, passenger-side, multi-stage deployment, side-mounted in front and rear...they are everywhere! Roll-over sensors provide an added measure of confidence, as does the night security illumination. No cost is spared in providing for your safety when tooling around in this little gem.

Okay, go ahead and ask...what are my favorite features of this Mercedes E320? Well, as silly as it maybe, one of my favorite features is the rain sensor wipers. This is just the coolest thing ever. Turn them on and they will decide how fast they need to go. No more trying to adjust wipers while driving through the rain—I count this as a safety feature as well as a convenience. Another favorite is, by default, the incredible gas mileage. I have four kids and I drive a lot! One tank of gas will last me over a week and that's cause for celebration in this age of gas prices over $2/gallon. My final favorite, aside from the glass sunroof, is the heated seats. Warm buns in the winter time, well, there's just nothing better!

If you're looking for a classic luxury vehicle with exceptional gas mileage, then look no further—this Benz is for you!

Mercedes-Benz 2006 E320 CDI 5-passenger sedan
  Base price: $51,050
  As driven: $55,465

Optional Equipment & Value Added Packages:
Glass sunroof, power rear-window sunshade, heated front seats, Harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound, CD changer, DVD navigation

For more information, please visit the web site at www.MBUSA.com.

Becky J. Beall is a freelance auto writer living (and driving) in Pelham, Alabama with her husband and four children.