2003 Mercedes-Benz E320

I never thought I'd type into my computer the price "$46,950," and refer to it as a bargain. However, to quote an obscure philosopher I once knew, "Hear me now and believe me later." The 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 is a steal at this price. While this amount could get you two Toyota Camrys or Honda Accords, there's nothing like getting an all-new Mercedes-Benz model packed with technological features and luxury amenities for $1,500 less than last year's model.

Unmistakably an E-Class, the 2003 E320 offers bolder, sleeker lines that hint at the car's greater athleticism.

The E-Class has long been the cornerstone of the Mercedes sedan range and accounts for about a quarter of the brand's worldwide passenger vehicle sales. The previous-generation E-Class, introduced in the United States in 1995 as a 1996 model, set a new design trend with its distinctive elliptical headlights. The 2003 version is unmistakably an E-Class, but offers bolder, sleeker lines that hint at the car's greater athleticism. The headlights are tilted back even more sharply, and the entire car exudes a fresh, sporty design theme. The new E-Class is just slighter larger than its predecessor, yet Mercedes says its engineers have rethought every inch of the car to make it even safer, more fun to drive and of course, more luxurious. And, we'd have to agree.


Two new E-Class sedans are available in the U.S. for 2003; the E320 with its 3.2-liter V-6 that produces 221 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft of torque, and the E500 that's powered by a new 302 horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 that replaces the former 4.3-liter V-8 in the E430. Both engines are teamed with an adaptive five-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift, which allows quick and convenient manual shifting if desired. While the E500 is a wonderful car, it's the E320 and the amazing amount of standard equipment that's packed into the new package that caught our attention.


One thing Mercedes did not do was make the new E-Class much heavier, a testament to the advanced manufacturing techniques and extensive use of aluminum components such as hood, front fenders, trunk lid, front subframe and crossmembers. At the same time, these new techniques and a nearly doubling of high-strength steel usage has served to make the E-Class body structure even stronger than before.

The interior is more luxurious than before, with a new sweeping dashboard, elegant wood and chrome trim elements, and a full array of power amenities.

The full array of Mercedes safety technology comes standard on the E320, including ABS anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, straight-line traction control and ESP stability control. New safety technology includes the electronic braking system from the Mercedes SL roadsters that provides faster, more sure-footed braking, especially in emergencies. In addition, the E320 comes standard with eight airbags including two in front, one sidebag for each of the four outboard seating positions and a side curtain windowbag for each side.