Though nearly everything about them is new, the essence of the E-Class cars hasn't changed. They retain the feeling of robustness and engineering excellence that has defined them for decades. 

The E-Class sits in the middle of the Mercedes car line, between the compact C-Class and the big S-Class. Though it's no longer Mercedes' biggest seller in the United States, the E-Class remains the company's best-selling car worldwide, and as such it defines the brand's essence. Every E-Class model delivers an excellent balance of passenger space, luxury, style and impressive performance in a practical, manageably sized package. 

The E-Class line has been expanded, with a two-door Coupe joining the familiar sedan. Wagon and convertible variants will be available across the United States by late spring 2010. The new E-Class looks more angular, perhaps more technical, than its predecessors, but it is quite pleasing to the eye. The underlying structure of all variants has been strengthened to improve crash protection, reduce vibration and sharpen handling, without adding weight. Yet if the new-generation E-Class cars have a theme, it might be their high-tech control and management systems. That's not surprising for a car that introduced a host of now-familiar features, from antilock brakes to airbags, to mass production. 

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class represents the most electronics-intensive model line Mercedes has offered to date, and most of the new computer-managed systems focus on safety. A new Attention Assist system that comes standard monitors up to 70 driving parameters to determine whether the driver is getting drowsy behind the wheel and uses both visual and auditory warnings to tell the driver to pull over for rest. The Distronic Plus cruise control option features both blind-spot warning and lane-departure warning technology, while automatic self-adjusting headlights automatically dim the brights. And those systems are just the start. 

Beyond the technological wizardry, the E-Class remains what is has always been, only maybe a little bit nicer. Every model is smooth, quiet and appointed in elegant, understated fashion, with comfortable space for four or five passengers and a substantial load of luggage. 

The new sedans are very attractive and the new two-door Coupe might be the sexiest E-Class car ever. 

The standard gasoline V6 in the Mercedes E350 models is more than powerful enough for most drivers. The 382-horsepower V8 in the Mercedes E550 models delivers the turbine-like, overpowered feel that characterizes Germany's best autobahn blasters. The turbocharged engine in the Mercedes E350 BlueTEC sedan is the smoothest, quietest diesel available in the United States. It delivers amazing bursts of acceleration for passing, with mileage that surpasses most other cars in this class by about 30 percent. Those seeking help through the worst of a northern winter can choose the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system for the E-Class sedans and wagon. 

The E-Class created a category of mid-sized luxury cars that has become one of the most competitive (and enjoyable) in today's automobile market. The 2010 E-Class models simply re-establish Mercedes credentials near the top of the class.