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The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is redesigned with freshened styling, new features, and a new body style. Mercedes’ premium-midsize car comes as a 4-door sedan and a new-for-2010 2-door coupe with pillar-less hard top styling that’s essentially a slightly larger replacement for the CLK. Most of the powertrains from the 2009 E-Class carry over for 2010. Reprising their roles are the entry-level E350 and high-end E550. Also offered are the high-performance E63 sedan, which is tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance arm, as well as the turbodiesel E350 BlueTEC sedan. Gas E350s have a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. E550s have a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. The 2010 E63 adopts the 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 from the larger S63.

The E350 BlueTEC has a 210-horsepower 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all 2010 E-Class models. All models have rear-wheel drive. E350/E550 sedans offer Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Due in mid-calendar 2010 as a 2011 model are a convertible and AWD E350 station wagon. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, hip-protecting side airbags, and a driver-knee airbag.

Mercedes’ driver-adjustable air suspension is standard on the E550 sedan. Among the new features available on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are adaptive high-beam headlights, which include a camera designed to recognize oncoming traffic and adjusts lamp intensity between low and high beams. Also new for the E-Class are a night-vision system and Mercedes’ active multi-contour seats with massage function. Other options available on most models include a navigation system, rearview camera, electronic trunk closer, keyless access and engine start, and adaptive cruise control. The sedan’s optional Sport Package include specific wheels and trim. Similar features are available on the coupe as part of its Appearance Package.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup expands with the addition of a convertible body style. Also due later in the model year is a station wagon. The 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe versions of Mercedes’ premium-midsize car should see no major changes. Reprising their roles should be the entry-level E350 and high-end E550. Also offered should be the high-performance E63 sedan, which is tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance arm, as well as the turbodiesel E350 BlueTEC sedan. Note that the coupe and convertible come only as the E350 and E550. Gas E350s would have a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine; E550s a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8; E63 a 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. The E350 BlueTEC would have a 210-horsepower 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. A 7-speed automatic transmission should be standard on all E-Class models.

All models have rear-wheel drive. E350 and E550 sedans would offer Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The upcoming station wagon likely will be an AWD E350. Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, hip-protecting side airbags, and a driver-knee airbag. Mercedes’ driver-adjustable air suspension should remain standard on the E550 sedan. Among the available features on the E-Class should include adaptive high-beam headlights, which include a camera designed to recognize oncoming traffic and adjusts lamp intensity between low and high beams. Also available should be a night-vision system and Mercedes’ active multi-contour seats with massage function.

Other options available on most models should include a navigation system, rearview camera, electronic trunk closer, keyless access and engine start, and adaptive cruise control. The sedan’s optional Sport Package should include specific wheels and trim. The convertibles are available with Mercedes’ AIRSCARF, which blows warm air across the necks of front-seat occupants. Making its debut on the E-Class Cabriolet is a feature that Mercedes calls AIRCAP. It consists of two parts: A 2.4-inch net built into the windshield frame as well as a draft-stop between the rear seats. They’re designed to work together to reduce wind buffeting in the cabin. This report is based on evaluations of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class gets slightly freshened exterior styling. This premium midsize car is essentially a reskinned version of the company’s E-Class sedan. CLS seats four vs the E-Class’ five and does not offer all-wheel drive or a wagon body style. Two CLS-Class models are available. The CLS550 has a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 engine.

The high-performance CLS63 AMG has a 507-hp 6.2-liter V8. Both have a 7-speed automatic transmission and an air-spring suspension that adjusts firmness within three driver-selectable modes. The CLS63 adds firmer chassis tuning and cosmetic touches by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. An AMG Sport Package for CLS550 includes specific trim and steering-wheel shift paddles for the automatic transmission.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front and rear side airbags. Standard is a full-length center console and twin bucket-type rear seats. Newly standard on the 2009 CLS is a navigation system and wireless cell-phone link. Options include front- and rear-obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, and heated and cooled front seats. CLS550s have 18-inch wheels, while CLS63 AMG models have 19-inch wheels.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is largely unchanged. This premium midsize car is essentially a reskinned version of the company’s 2002-2009-generation E-Class sedan. CLS seats 4 vs the E-Class’ 5 and does not offer all-wheel drive. Two CLS-Class models are available. The CLS550 has a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 engine.

The high-performance CLS63 has a 507-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance arm. Both have a 7-speed automatic transmission and an air-spring suspension that adjusts firmness within three driver-selectable modes. The CLS63 adds firmer chassis tuning and cosmetic touches by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. An AMG Sport Package for CLS550 includes specific trim and steering-wheel shift paddles for the automatic transmission.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front- and rear-side airbags. Standard is a full-length center console and twin bucket-type rear seats, a navigation system, and wireless cell-phone link. Options include front- and rear-obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, and heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is largely unchanged, though high-performance models tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance division are no longer offered. CLKs are available as coupes or convertibles. The coupes have hardtop styling with no middle roof posts. Convertibles have a power fabric top, heated-glass rear window, and roll bars designed to pop up if sensors detect an impending rollover.

The CLK’s model lineup consists of the CLK350 with a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and the CLK550 with a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8. The CLK63 AMG and CLK63 AMG Black Series have been discontinued. The CLK350 and 550 have a 7-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags (coupes), and front and rear side airbags.

Heated seats and a 6-disc CD changer are standard on all CLK-Class models for 2009. Options include a navigation system and keyless entry and starting. We have not yet tested the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class has been discontinued, and has been replaced by the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. Examples of 2009 CLK-Class models may be available on dealer lots.

Check out Consumer Guide’s review of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class or 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class for prices, ratings, specifications, and photos.

The stylish Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Coupe has a strong V6 engine and an even-stronger optional V8. It delivers good performance and comfort across the line. The V8 is the most significant change since a number of styling updates and other recent upgrades, the biggest of which was a more-powerful V6 engine in the CLK350. A new racing-inspired CLK63 AMG Black Series is also available for hardcore enthusiasts.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class lineup gains all-wheel drive as a new feature. The CL550 and CL63 use V8 engines of 5.5 and 6.2 liters, respectively. CL600 and CL65 versions have V12 engines of 5.5 and 6.0 liters, respectively. All CLs have an automatic transmission: 7 speeds on the CL550 and CL63, 5 speeds on the CL600 and CL65.

For 2009, the CL550 is newly standard with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive; the rear-drive CL550 has been discontinued. All other CL-Class models are rear-drive only. CL-Class is essentially a 2-door coupe version of the 4-door S-Class sedan. Available safety equipment includes ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front and rear side airbags, and curtain side airbags.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class has a standard navigation system and wireless cell-phone link. All models now have steering-wheel gearshift paddles. Mercedes’ Parking Guidance system–which assists drivers with parallel parking maneuvers–is now available. Also available for 2009 is the company’s Blind Spot Assist, which alerts drivers to the presence of another vehicle in their blind spot.