Spending a week behind the wheel of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC Cabriolet was an experience filled with contrasts. The sheer volume of features was staggering, the dual digital screens for instrumentation and infotainment were breathtaking, yet the actual driving left something to be desired. While creature comforts abounded, a perplexing question lingered: why did such a beautiful car feel so…unexciting?
The Mercedes-Benz design team, under the guidance of Gordon Wagener, has undoubtedly crafted a visually stunning vehicle. There’s a remarkable purity in its lines, a harmonious balance from front to back. The 2018 E400 Cabriolet exudes elegance, its proportions perfectly judged. In an era where car designs often lean towards excessive complexity, the admirable restraint and absence of needless creases are truly commendable.
Mercedes deserves praise for this design philosophy. Wagener seems to have reined in designers from overly flamboyant trends, steering them towards smooth, flowing forms reminiscent of iconic designs like the Jaguar E-Type and classic Porsche 911s. This E-Class Cabriolet possesses a timeless aesthetic that promises to age gracefully.
However, those seeking an engaging and thrilling driving experience might find themselves wanting. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabriolet is engineered for drivers who prioritize soaking in the scenery over attacking corners. Its driving character is akin to a comfortable recliner – pleasant and relaxing, but not particularly stimulating.
Equipped with numerous semi-autonomous driving features, bundled within the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package, the driver sometimes feels relegated to a secondary role. While legal requirements and the hefty price tag of this $80,300-plus vehicle necessitate a driver, one gets the impression that the creators of cars like the E400 Cabriolet envision a future where digital systems take over driving entirely.
The cabin, however, is undeniably a lovely space to inhabit. Daimler, Mercedes’ parent company, is at the forefront of autonomous technology, a direction increasingly influenced by consumer preferences and regulatory pressures pushing the automotive industry towards self-driving capabilities.
While the engineering behind these advanced systems is impressive, their intrusion into the fundamental driving experience is debatable. It raises questions about the erosion of driving skills, decision-making, and the shared road etiquette that has been a cornerstone of modern society for over a century. Just as some argue that search engines can diminish cognitive abilities, autonomous driving might foster laziness and detachment. Nevertheless, the era of self-driving cars is rapidly approaching.
Naturally, the inclination was to disable as many of the “active-assist” and “evasive-assist” features as possible. Some of these systems, like lane keeping assist, can be overly sensitive and fail to distinguish between a deliberate lane change and unintentional drifting. The technology, while advanced, is not yet infallible.
Where the 2018 E400 Cabriolet truly excels is as a long-distance, comfortable cruiser. Mercedes-Benz has successfully adapted the E-Class platform to create an open-top car with reasonable rear-seat legroom and a ride quality that remains comfortable regardless of the weather. This is largely thanks to features like wind deflectors and the AirScarf and AirCap systems, which provide warm air to the neck and head areas for both front and rear passengers.
The car’s visual appeal is undeniable. Beyond its overall form, the 2018 E400 Cabriolet boasts attractive details and standard AMG styling elements, including 18-inch alloy wheels, the distinctive “Diamond Grille,” full LED lighting, AMG front and rear aprons, side skirts, and sculpted hood ridges.
With the top down, the tonneau cover neatly conceals the multi-layer fabric roof. When raised, the roof effectively insulates against cold, rain, and road noise. Credit is also due to Mercedes for the exceptional seats. Finding a comfortable driving position is effortless.
The leather seating surfaces are designed to reflect sunlight, and the front seats conveniently slide and fold forward for easy access to the rear. While trunk space is limited, even with the top up, a pass-through enhances practicality.
Under the hood, the 2018 E400 Cabriolet 4MATIC features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine paired with Mercedes’ ubiquitous 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. The transmission includes a fuel-saving “sailing” feature that disengages gears when coasting.
While the power output (329 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque) is adequate, it’s not particularly exhilarating, despite Mercedes’ claimed 0-100 km/h time of 5.5 seconds. Most of the time, the powertrain operates quietly and unobtrusively, only revealing a hint of coarseness when pushed hard. The driving experience lacks distinct character, which aligns with the car’s overall focus on relaxed cruising.
Engaging Sport or Sport+ driving modes does inject some liveliness into the E400 Cabriolet. These modes sharpen throttle response, add weight to the steering, and introduce more aggressive shift patterns. However, even in these sportier settings, the driving experience remains more refined than truly thrilling.
The cabin environment is a highlight, presenting a tasteful blend of Nappa leather, open-pore dark ash wood trim, subtle ambient lighting, and user-friendly technology interfaces.
Mastering the array of 21st-century electronics – including GPS navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the optional 12.3-inch widescreen instrument cluster, and the standard 12.3-inch central display – requires some initial familiarization. The system, while comprehensive, is mostly intuitive in operation.
This is an E-Class Cabriolet capable of following traffic, steering itself, lane keeping, automatic lane changes upon signal activation, and emergency braking and maneuvering. Perhaps these are the features convertible drivers have been desiring for decades?
In conclusion, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC Cabriolet is undeniably beautiful and packed with technology and comfort features. However, for those seeking a truly engaging and dynamic driving experience, it may leave them wanting more. It’s a car perfectly suited for comfortable cruising and showcasing sophisticated technology, appealing to buyers who prioritize these aspects over raw driving excitement.
2018 Mercedes Benz E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet Specifications:
- Base price: $80,300
- Price as tested: $92,700
- Engine: 3.0-litre twin turbo V-6 (329 horsepower/354 lb.-ft. of torque)
- 0-100 km/hour: 5.5 seconds (factory figures)
- Transmission: nine-speed automatic
- Drive: all-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 12.0 city/9.2 highway (premium fuel)
- Comparables: BMW 6-Series, Audi S5
Optional Packages:
- Premium Package ($4,800): 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, Burmester surround sound system, foot-activated trunk release, KEYLESS-GO, climate comfort front seats, rapid heating for front seats, heated front armrests, illuminated door sills.
- Intelligent Drive Package ($2,700): Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, Congestion Emergency Braking, Active Emergency Stop Assist, PRE-SAFE PLUS, Traffic Sign Assist.
- Multicontour front seats with massage ($1,800)
Key Standard Features: All-season power soft top, power front seats with memory, heated front seats, AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, AIRCAP system, dual-zone automatic climate control, 64-colour LED ambient lighting, 50/50 split-folding rear seats, electric trunk partition, power-folding side mirrors, KEYLESS-START, illuminated entry system, HomeLink garage door opener, 12.3-inch high-resolution central display, analog gauges with high-resolution multifunction display, COMAND system with touchpad controller, 3-spoke Touch Control steering wheel, COMAND online navigation, voice control, FrontBass system, SiriusXM Radio with six-month trial, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth interface, Bluetooth audio streaming, dual USB audio ports, HD Radio receiver, DYNAMIC SELECT, lowered suspension with selective damping system, ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist, Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, rearview camera, LED daytime running lamps, LED headlamps and taillamps, Crosswind Assist, PRE-SAFE, 10 airbags, pop-up roll bars, Blind Spot Assist, adaptive braking technology, Active Parking Assist, SmartKey with KEYLESS-START, rain-sensing windshield wipers, MAGIC VISION CONTROL.
