California dreaming often involves sunshine and open-top cruising. If you’re wishing for rain in the Golden State, just put me in a convertible – it’s practically guaranteed to precipitate. Joking aside, while reviewing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet, Southern California experienced its most significant rainfall in years. Coincidence? Perhaps. But let’s talk about this E-Class Convertible and see if it’s worth weathering any storm for.
Diving into the 2014 E-Class Convertible: Test Drive Overview
The 2014 Mercedes E-Class Convertible, also known as the Cabriolet, shares its foundation with the E-Class Coupe. Chopping off the roof and reinforcing the structure adds approximately 232 pounds to the vehicle. Interestingly, despite bearing the E-Class moniker, both the Coupe and Cabriolet are built upon the platform of the previous generation C-Class Sedan. This makes them more compact than the E-Class Sedan and positions them in competition with models like the Audi A5/S5, BMW 4 Series, and Infiniti Q60. The Cadillac CTS Coupe also enters the conversation on the coupe side.
The starting MSRP for the E350 Cabriolet begins at $61,125, inclusive of a $925 destination charge. My test model was the more potent E550 Cabriolet, with a base price of $68,225. This price point exceeds that of its competitors, and surprisingly, even at this level, the car isn’t fully loaded with features.
To equip your 2014 Mercedes-benz Convertible with metallic paint, luxurious Nappa leather upholstery, a high-end audio system, navigation, convenient Keyless Go, a reversing camera, and ventilated front seats, you’ll need to delve into the options list. Additional upgrades include the AirScarf neck-warming system, an active parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. The Driver Assistance Package further enhances safety with active versions of blind spot and lane keeping assist, along with radar-based cruise control featuring steering assist, cross-traffic assist at the front, and Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection. Multi-contour front seats, full LED headlights with automatic high beams, and Active Curve Illumination are also available.
My test vehicle, finished in Iridium Silver Metallic, boasted all these features, plus a rear spoiler, pushing the total price to a substantial $82,335. This figure could climb even higher with optional upgrades like enhanced wheels, an illuminated grille star, a wind deflector behind the front seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or other dealer-installed accessories. It’s a clear reminder that owning a Mercedes-Benz convertible comes at a premium in the luxury car market.
Design and Styling of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Convertible
Considering the shared C-Class platform and competitive landscape, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet commands a significant price. However, does the E550 Cabriolet, especially at an $82,000 configuration, visually justify its cost?
Certainly, there are premium touches, and the sculpted rear fenders hint at Bentley-esque elegance, echoing classic Mercedes-Benz design cues. The refreshed styling for 2014 injects a welcome dose of aggression into the overall aesthetic. Yet, if you were to remove the iconic Mercedes star emblems, the chrome trim, and the sophisticated lighting, would the car still unequivocally scream “luxury convertible”? Perhaps the answer isn’t a resounding yes.
Stepping inside the cabin of this four-seater convertible, the C-Class origins become apparent in its dimensions. However, the interior design of the E-Class Cabriolet successfully emulates the larger E-Class Sedan, creating a luxurious ambiance. It blends high-quality materials with a two-tone color scheme and abundant silver trim that manages to be elegant rather than ostentatious. While a few details might feel slightly less premium given the test car’s price tag, most occupants are likely to perceive a sense of value commensurate with the cost. This is crucial, as the interior is where owners spend the majority of their time.
Comfort and Quality in the 2014 E-Class Convertible
Equipped with optional multi-contour front seats, my E550 Cabriolet test vehicle delivered exceptional comfort for leisurely drives. When the roads became winding, the adjustable side bolsters provided excellent lateral support during more spirited handling. On a chilly, overcast day with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the optional AirScarf system proved invaluable in maintaining front occupant warmth. AirScarf gently blows warm air onto the necks of the driver and front passenger from vents integrated beneath the head restraints. The test car also featured heated front seats and steering wheel, along with ventilated seats for warmer weather.
Surprisingly, with a bit of compromise from front occupants, full-size adults can fit in the rear seats of the E-Class Cabriolet. Entry and exit are facilitated by front seats that automatically move forward. Once seated in the back, you’ll notice the elevated seating position, the narrower seat width, and the hard plastic seatbacks of the front seats. However, a center armrest enhances rear passenger comfort, and the Mercedes AirCap system effectively minimizes wind buffeting when the top is down.
AirCap functions by deploying a spoiler above the windshield at speed, diverting airflow upwards and over the cabin. Simultaneously, extensions rise behind the rear headrests to reduce backdrafts. With the side windows raised, the convertible becomes remarkably draft-free. My wife even remarked that it offered the calmest cabin experience of any convertible she had ever been in.
However, AirCap’s effectiveness is primarily for front occupants. My children, a kindergartener in a booster seat and a three-year-old in a forward-facing child seat, occupied the rear seats. Installing the child seats wasn’t straightforward, and neither child enjoyed the ride, constantly complaining about the cold and wind. Our drives were understandably kept short and local.
The E-Class Cabriolet’s fabric soft top neatly folds into the trunk, which offers 11.5 cubic feet of space with the top raised. Thanks to Mercedes’ choice of a fabric roof over a bulkier retractable hardtop, the trunk still provides a respectable 8.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity even when the top is lowered. This is significantly more practical than some competitors with hardtops, like the Infiniti Q60 Convertible.
Golf clubs can easily fit beneath the stowed soft top, and a rear seat pass-through accommodates longer items like skis. If the trunk were just a couple of inches deeper, smaller suitcases could also fit under the retracted top, making it even more suitable for longer road trips.
Features and Controls of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Convertible
Once behind the wheel of the E-Class Cabriolet, you’re greeted by a substantial array of dials, stalks, switches, and buttons scattered across the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, and center console. The positive aspect is that, for the most part, these controls are logically grouped and become intuitive to use after a brief familiarization period.
One minor point of critique is the placement of the cruise control stalk on the same side of the steering wheel as the turn signal stalk. This Mercedes-Benz design characteristic, while representing a distinct separation of functions, can initially cause some confusion for drivers new to the brand.
The standard Cockpit Management and Data (COMAND) system features a display screen that is somewhat small by modern standards. However, it delivers sharp graphics and 3D map rendering when equipped with the optional navigation system. This is not a touchscreen system; instead, users interact with COMAND via a rotary control knob and dedicated function buttons located on the center console to navigate menus and select options.
Mercedes-Benz pioneered this type of interface with the introduction of COMAND 15 years prior. Today, COMAND remains relatively user-friendly once drivers become accustomed to its operation.
Safety Features of the 2014 E-Class Convertible
Mercedes-Benz prioritizes safety, and the 2014 E-Class Cabriolet is equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard and optional safety technologies. Every model includes pop-up roll bars for rollover protection, nine airbags including side curtain airbags (a rarity in convertibles), Emergency Tensioning Devices and belt-force limiters for all four seat belts, rain-sensing wipers, and Attention Assist, a drowsiness detection system that can recommend rest stops. The E-Class Cabriolet also features mBrace2 telematics with a complimentary 3-month subscription to Automatic Collision Notification and SOS Emergency Call services.
Furthermore, Mercedes integrates advanced radar units and braking technology. Collision Prevention Assist uses radar to anticipate potential collisions and automatically optimizes braking force when the driver applies the brakes. Predictive Brake Priming, also standard, pre-positions the brake pads closer to the discs when the driver quickly lifts off the accelerator, enabling quicker panic stops. Automatic Brake Drying helps maintain optimal braking performance in wet conditions.
Beyond these standard features, numerous optional packages enhance safety. The popular Premium 1 Package includes a reversing camera, which is almost essential given the limited rear visibility of this convertible, even with the top down. The Lighting Package adds LED headlights with Active Curve Illumination and Adaptive High-beam Assist, while the Lane Tracking Package incorporates Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
For the most advanced safety features, the Driver Assistance Package is the ultimate choice. It includes Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control with Steering Assist, Brake Assist Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Detection, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. This package also features Pre-Safe Plus, which can detect impending rear-end collisions, activate hazard lights to warn the following driver, tighten seatbelts, and apply the brakes to minimize movement during and after an impact.
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has specifically crash-tested the E-Class Cabriolet. However, the E-Class Coupe, upon which it is based, received the highest IIHS rating of “Good” in moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, and rear impact injury prevention evaluations. While these ratings don’t directly apply to the convertible due to the lack of a fixed roof, they indicate the robust underlying chassis and structural integrity of the E-Class platform.
Driving Experience of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Convertible
Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V-8 engine producing 402 horsepower and, more crucially, 443 lb.-ft. of torque available from 1,600 to 4,750 rpm, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet boasts ample power. Considering its substantial weight of nearly 2.5 tons, this level of power is certainly necessary.
A 7-speed automatic transmission directs power to the rear wheels of the E550. Drivers can select between Eco, Sport, and Manual driving modes. Paddle shifters are standard and provide manual gear selection. An automatic start/stop system aids in fuel conservation, and during my test, I achieved an average of 19.8 mpg over 150 miles of mixed driving, closely matching the EPA’s combined estimate of 20 mpg.
The initial impression upon driving the E550 Cabriolet is its substantial feel. It exudes a sense of solidity. However, traversing sharp bumps reveals the structural compromise inherent in removing the roof, manifesting as cowl shake.
Nevertheless, this is a weighty, German-engineered car that grips the road tenaciously. In normal driving, with the transmission in Eco mode and the suspension in Comfort mode, the E550 Cabriolet is docile, almost understated, projecting refinement and subtlety, with a muted V-8 burble emanating from under the hood.
Switching to Sport mode for both the transmission and suspension dramatically alters the car’s character, making it noticeably more aggressive. Accelerating from a standstill or merging onto a freeway on-ramp unleashes the V-8’s full potential, delivering a powerful surge of acceleration and a satisfying roar as it effortlessly approaches high speeds.
This duality extends to the car’s ride, handling, steering, and brakes. You can choose to cruise effortlessly down the freeway, or you can adjust settings and confidently navigate winding roads. While the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are not offered in high-performance AMG versions, driving the E550 Cabriolet on challenging roads demonstrates that extreme performance enhancements might be unnecessary beyond bragging rights.
My test car included the Driver Assistance Package. While driving on the Pacific Coast Highway with cruise control engaged, the Steering Assist technology noticeably worked to maintain lane centering. Additionally, the Active Lane Keeping Assist system intervened whenever I drifted towards lane markings, gently steering the E550 back into the lane. While these systems are undoubtedly beneficial, some refinement could improve the smoothness of their interventions. Furthermore, the Distronic cruise control could benefit from quicker acceleration to resume set speed after traffic ahead clears.
Final Verdict on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Convertible
The 2014 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet carries a premium price, but this is justified by more than just the cachet of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Impeccable engineering and high-quality materials contribute significantly to the cost. Mercedes-Benz also provides buyers with extensive customization options through various colors, materials, features, and accessories. This personalization allows you to create a bespoke 2014 Mercedes-Benz convertible, but it can also lead to an as-tested price of $82,000, as seen with my E550 Cabriolet test vehicle.
Is this price justifiable? If the styling of this Mercedes-Benz convertible were more distinctive and instantly recognizable, the answer would be a more emphatic yes.
Mercedes-Benz provided the 2014 E550 Cabriolet for this review.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet photos by Christian Wardlaw.
