2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The E400 Cabriolet comes with a 3.0L, Bi-Turbo, V6 engine mated to a 9G Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive as well. It’s priced at $66,300 and the all-wheel drive comes at $68,800 and it seems a lot of car for its money.

The E400 cabriolet comes in two trims which are essentially the same but with the addition of the 4Matic all-wheel drive system on the higher priced one. Both the trims get the same 3.0L engine and that is the only engine option available. Sorry to disappoint you enthusiasts, but there is no handcrafted AMG engine on offer for this Merc. We would have surely loved one though.

Trim	E 400 2 door Cabriolet	E 400 2door Cabriolet AWD
MSRP	$66,300	$68,800
Key Features	Eco Start/Stop System	All features on the two-wheel drive version with the added benefit of All-wheel drive
	4-wheel multilink suspension Lowered Suspension with selective damping system
	All LED exterior lighting
	Dynamic Drive mode selector
	Sport Brake System
	All-season powered soft top
	Chrome-Diamond Block Grille
	Attention Assist
	Pop Up Roll Bars
	Front sport seats with integrated head restraints
	64-color LED ambient lighting

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The 4Matic all-wheel drive is certainly the better choice here because, for just $2,500, you can get the all-wheel-drive system. It is a worthy upgrade as it offers better drivability and also better traction. It compromises on the fuel economy by only a margin but you surely have the money to spare that much fuel.

“The E400 4MATIC convertible wafted easily through cities, over hilltops, and past right-lane laggards. It even held its composure through tightly curving mountain passes, but it’s much more at home on fast sweepers than in tight hairpins.” – CarandDriver

Engine and Transmission

 

Models	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
MSRP	$68,800	$60,700	$62,300
Engine	3.0L, BiTurbo V6 Engine	3.0L, Twin Turbo inline 6 cylinder	3.0L, Turbocharged TFSI V6
Transmission	9G Tronic 9-Speed Automatic	8-speed Sport Automatic transmission	8-Speed Triptonic Automatic Transmission
Horsepower	329 hp @ 5,250-6,000 rpm	322 hp @ 5500	354 hp @ 5,400-6,400
Torque	354 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 1380–5000	369 lb-ft @ 1370-4,500

The Merc uses a 3.0L BiTurbo V6 engine which churns out a power of 329 hp @ 5,250-6,000 rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 9G Tronic 9-Speed Automatic transmission. There is 31:69 torque split between the front and rear wheels of the car. The engine sails smooth and is very refined as you would expect. It always has enough power to keep you going.

It wouldn’t push you back on your seat however and it’s not meant to. It’s most happy to take you around comfortably at cruising speeds but it would never make you feel like it’s underpowered. The turbochargers make the torque available right from the low rpms. The 9G Tronic is smooth in changing gears without you even noticing it and you wouldn’t even have to tap at the paddles. Leave it in auto because you would want to make the most of the fact that it is drop top.

In comparison, the S5 Cabriolet is more powerful and is spirited in nature. It’s quicker too and it would urge you to push the car. The BMW 440i convertible is similarly speced as the Merc but even that is more focused towards the driver. It sounds enthusiastic and responses adequately when you put your foot down. The Mercedes on the other does not inspire you to push it hard. It would gracefully embrace you with its refinement and is as fast as it needs to be.

Acceleration

Models	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
0-60 MPH	5.5 secs	5.1 secs	4.8 secs
Quarter mile	13.6 secs	14 secs	13.6 secs
Engine	3.0L	3.0 L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.0	7.1	7.4

The E400 cabriolet sprints to 60 miles an hour in 5.5 secs and would do the quarter mile in 13.6 secs. Well, it might be slowest to the 60 mph mark but do not think of it as any slouch. It’s adequately fast for what it is and reaching up to triple digit speeds does not take much effort.

In comparison, the S5 Cabriolet is the fastest to the 60 mph mark at 4.8 secs which is very fast for a car this type and size. It would certainly let you feel the speed, unlike the Merc. The 440i convertible takes the second spot crossing the 60 mph mark at 5.1 secs and its acceleration is also well felt.

Ride and Handling

The ride quality of the E400 is certainly one of the highlights of this car. It has three driving moves – Eco, Sport, and Sport+. The suspension gets stiffer as you go up the driving modes as does the throttle response and the gear shifts. The optional air suspension adds Comfort mode to the above three driving modes and it makes the ride silky smooth. It’s so smooth, it feels like the car is hovering over the road rather than riding on it.

When the road gets twisty, you can switch to the Sport or Sport+ modes for better steering response and better dynamics. If driven enthusiastically, the car tends to roll considerably when left in the other modes. However, the sharp handling and stiff nature of the ride does not suit the car very well and it’s best left in comfort mode, driven in a leisurely manner. The steering lacks some feedback from the road but is precise enough and you would be able to place it where you want to.

Braking

Model	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
Brake Front (in.)	14.2	13.4	13.8
Brake Rear (in.)	14.2	13	13
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4314 lb	4328 lb	4211 lb
60-0 MPH (ft.)	112 ft	118 ft	109 ft

  The Mercedes comes with the largest brakes compared to its rivals and stops rather well too. It takes 112 ft to come to a dead stop from 60 mph which is respectable. The Audi, although bearing smaller brakes than the Merc, stops better because of its slightly lower weight. The Beemer takes the maximum distance to stop but all these differences are only by a very thin margin.

Model	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
MPG (city)	20	20	20
MPG (highway)	25	29	29
MPG (combined)	26	23	23

  The E400 Cabriolet comes with a very efficient start/stop system which automatically shuts down the engine when you come to a stop to save fuel. Put your foot down again and it moves without any lag. It also has a dedicated Eco mode for better fuel economy. It does the best in the competition with a combined efficiency figure of 26 mpg which is decent for such a car. The Audi and the Beemer fare equally in the claimed fuel efficiency.

“The interior is equally as sophisticated thanks to deep sumptuous seats, elaborately finished speakers, aluminum switches and a welcome lack of carbon fibre trim.”  - Evo 

Much like the S-class, and like most other Mercedes now, the interior looks pretty familiar and that’s a great thing. Swing open the large doors and you are greeted with a sumptuously luxurious interior. The wood trims on the dashboard ooze out class and craftsmanship. Every surface you touch feels rich and soft.

The leather on the dash and the seats wrap around you like a rich, warm coat and then there is the dual 12.3-inch display embracing the dash as the instrument panel and the infotainment system. Little details like the turbine shaped air vents and the analog clock in the center give that extra bit of a special feeling. There is also the 64-color LED ambient lighting to make it special even when it gets dark.

 

Seating and Comfort

Model	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet  AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
Passenger capacity	4	4	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.7/56.1/41.8	40.4/55.3/42.2	40.0/55.3/41.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.4/48.4/34.1	37.1/49.8/33.1	36.3/46.9/33.1

The seats come wrapped in beautiful leather and are ventilated which can be heated or cooled. They wrap you in genuine comfort and luxury as you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz car. They are beautifully contoured to hold your body perfectly in it. The rear seats offer decent legroom and can accommodate two adults comfortably over reasonably long journeys.

All three cars in the competition are quite closely matched in terms of interior dimensions. The Mercedes, however, edges ahead with its rear seats as it’s a genuine 4 seater instead of a 2+2 as Beemer and the Audi.  With the roof down, there cannot be a better car to carry around four adults on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Interior Features

• Front sport seats with integrated head restraints
• AIRSCARF neck-level heating system
• Dual Zone Automatic climate control
• Remote Start via Mercedes Mobile App
• Keyless Start
• Illuminated entry system
• Advanced instrumentation and controls’
• Leather-trimmed steering wheels
• Elegant wood trims on the dashboard

 

Infotainment

The Merc comes with the Command system with a touchpad controller. As standard, the instrument panel comes with analog gauges with a high-resolution multi-function display. It can, however, be specced up to the dual 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and infotainment system. The infotainment system can be controlled via a rotary dial and touchpad that easily falls in hand.

It’s intuitive and responses swiftly to even gestures like swipe, pinch, and handwriting. There is voice command as well and the displays are great offering every convenience and entertainment you would want on a drive. There are also one-touch keys for major functions around the Command controller.

Cargo Capacity

Model	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
Cargo Volume with top-down (ft.3)	9.5 cu ft	7.8 cu ft	11.3 cu ft
Cargo Volume with top up (ft.3)	13.6 cu ft	13.1 cu ft	13.4 cu ft

The Mercedes has the best cargo capacity with the top up with 13.6 cu ft of space among the competition. With the roof down, however, the Audi edges ahead by quite a margin at 11.3 cu ft. The Beemer falls behind both with the roof up and down. The Mercedes stills offer adequate space for all you would want to carry over a weekend.

“The E400 definitely suggests an owner who drives more than one car, and could easily treat himself (or herself) to a weekend plaything without unduly sweating the lease price.” – The Drive.

This car boasts of a rather timeless design. It has beautiful lines and a very neat silhouette. The big Silver Arrow takes the central place in the diamond block grille with pride. It comes with a foldable soft top and there are even options of the color of the fabric on the soft top to choose from.

The cabin is surrounded with a beautiful aluminum band to give a yacht-like effect. The car looks the best from the rear with its LED tail lamps and neat layout. Its flowing curves and pronounced waist give it a sophisticated look, certainly the classiest in the comparison.

Exterior Dimensions

Model	Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD	BMW 440i xDrive Convertible	Audi S5 Quattro Convertible
Curb weight (lbs.)	4314 lb	4328 lb	4211 lb
Length(in)	190.0 in	182.7 in	184.7 in
Width(in)	73.2 in	71.9 in	73.0 in
Height(in)	56.2 in	55.1 in	54.4 in
Ground clearance (in)	4.2 in	5.7 in	4.1 in
Wheelbase (in)	113.1 in	110.6 in	108.9 in
Track width (in) F/R	63.3/63.5	61/63	62.5/61.7

The Mercedes is the largest car in the competition. It is the longest, widest and the tallest and also has the maximum wheelbase. It certainly is a large car with great amount of road presence. The Audi follows the Merc in length and width but has the shortest wheelbase. The Beemer is the least in terms of length and width but has a longer wheelbase than the Audi.

Exterior Features

• All-season power soft top
• Chrome Diamond Block Grille
• All-LED exterior lighting
• 18-inch twin 5-spoke wheels
• Aluminum band around the cabin
• Rear bumper vents and diffuser
• Front Air Cap and Rear wind Blocker
• Illuminated Door Sills
• AMG body styling (optional)

The 2018 E400 Cabriolet has not been tested by either NHTSA or IIHS to offer you their ratings as of yet but it comes loaded with safety features as you would expect. It’s a Mercedes Benz after all and safety is certainly a priority. It comes with crosswind assist, 11-way air bag protection, ABS and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program and also an aluminum and high-strength steel body structure.

Safety Features

• Active Brake Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Crosswind Assist
• Rearview camera
• 11-way air bag protection
• Pop-up roll bars
• Adaptive braking technology
• Antilock Braking System (ABS)
• Brake Assist (BAS®)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Aluminum and high-strength steel body structure
• Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Antitheft alarm system with remote panic feature
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

 

Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD vs BMW 440i xDrive Convertible

The Merc and the Beemer are very similarly speced and are similar in performance too. The Beemer edges ahead a little with its slightly more spirited engine, throttle response and is a little quicker. The Merc is more inclined towards comfortable cruising with a class of its own which really goes unmatched. It really lets you enjoy the wind in your hair with the top down. In terms of features and interior, the Merc has the upper hand with overall better quality and standard than the BMW. It feels more luxurious and has a better statement of style. The BMW, on the other hand, is more focused towards the driver and inspires sportiness.

Mercedes E400 Cabriolet AWD vs Audi S5 Quattro Convertible

The S5 and the E400 cabriolet are quite different by nature. The Audi is really sporty and it would always urge you to push it harder. It has significantly more power than the Merc and it shows in real. It’s quicker and lighter, feels like a proper sports convertible. The Merc, just like it differs from the Beemer, differs from the Audi on similar grounds in the sense that it exudes luxury and comfort more than sportiness. The Audi is very well equipped and is luxurious but does not quite have the sense of occasion as the Merc in terms of Luxury.

Boiling down to a choice between these cars is quite difficult because there is little to choose from one over the other but it depends on what you are really looking for in a car. If some enthusiastic driving with the top down around winding mountain roads is your priority, then the BMW and the Audi are better choices, the Audi most certainly being the best. However, if you believe in style, poise and gentlemanliness more than anything else, there is nothing that matches the Merc’s sense of occasion.

Even though it’s priced a little above its competitors, you wouldn’t mind paying that extra bit considering what you are getting. Other than a little body roll around corners it’s hard to fault the Mercedes. Its rides brilliantly looks sexy, oozes out luxury and really lives up to the idea of open-top cruising with the wind in your hair to enjoy a perfect sunny afternoon and watch the scenery pass by.