The E320 ($47,450) comes with the standard equipment buyers expect in this class, starting with fully automatic dual-zone climate control, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, 10-way power front seats, real walnut trim, a 10-speaker stereo, power windows with one-touch express operation up and down, auto-dimming mirrors and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The E500 ($56,270) has been gaining sales ground on the E320 in recent years. For 2004, the V8's engine displacement has increased from 4.3 liters to 5.0 liters, with an increase of 29 horsepower to 302 at 5600 rpm. Besides more power, the E500 adds new standard equipment, including the industry's first seven-speed automatic transmission, a four-zone climate control system with separate temperature adjustments for both sides of the cabin, front and rear, and the new Airmatic Dual Control suspension.

All the options on E500 are also available on the E320, and there are dozens more offered on both cars. Extras include radar-controlled Distronic adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance from cars ahead; Keyless Go, a credit card-sized transmitter which allows unlocking the doors and starting the car by touching the door handle and the gear selector; Parktronic obstacle warning helps with parking and enhances safety by alerting the driver to objects in front of and behind the car. Also available: DVD-based GPS navigation, a in-dash information management system; voice operation for the phone, audio controls and navigation system; ventilated massaging seats; and solar-powered interior ventilation for those hot summer days when the car is parked for long periods. There's even a power trunk closer.

As mentioned, E320 and E500 wagons are now available. Equipped with three rows of seats, the wagon has a power liftgate and a cargo organizer as standard, with a slide-out load floor optional. Roof racks, bike racks, ski racks and cargo boxes abound on the wagon option list. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system comes on all E500 wagons and is available on the E320.

The E55 AMG ($78,370) was performance-tuned by subsidiary AMG with a supercharged and intercooled V8 producing 493 horsepower, a manually controllable 5-speed automatic transmission, bigger tires, wheels and brakes, and retuned suspension, with appropriate AMG interior and exterior markings, style and badging throughout.

No new Mercedes would be complete without safety advances. E-Class cars come standard with eight airbags (dual front airbags, side bags for front and rear, and head-protection curtains that run the length of the cabin on both sides). The E-Class employs a new (for 2003) airbag management system with more impact sensors, designed to more precisely control the timing and rate of deployment. The system accounts for the weight of a front-seat passenger, and controls seat belt pretensioners according to the force of impact.