Prices and Reviews Mercedes-Benz E-class

What It Is: The mid-cycle face lift of the quintessential Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes won’t change just the headlights, the grille, and the bumpers; the sheetmetal will be significantly altered as well. The pronounced, sculpted rear fenders will be scrapped—at least on the sedan and the station wagon. The coupe and convertible might retain their current side panels, setting them somewhat apart from the four- and five-door models. This distinction would be highly appropriate, as the two sets of body styles don't share a platform; the E-class coupe and convertible use a combination of C- and E-class underpinnings.

The prominent quartet of headlights—a key visual element that chief designer Gorden Wagener said he wouldn't "want to do without" when the E-class was launched—will be relegated to the dustbin, just like the hook-shaped daytime running lamps. Mercedes also will alter the angular and stylistically confused dashboard and interior introduced in 2009; the cabin will get a softer look that is more in line with the traditional perception of the brand.

Why It Matters: The E-class is Benz's most important model. It's under increasing sales competition from the Audi A6, the BMW 5-series, and the new Lexus GS. Its busy styling was not greeted enthusiastically by either traditional buyers or by perfectionist esthetes, so this is Benz’s chance to fix that.

Platform: The E-class models will remain on their current pair of platforms. Mercedes could take the opportunity to fiddle with suspension tuning or add new chassis tech.

Powertrains: The U.S. market will keep the E350’s 3.0-liter V-6, the E550’s turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 (paired with 4MATIC all-wheel drive in the sedan), the E350 BlueTec’s 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel (only available as a four-door), and the E63 AMG’s 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 (currently available only in sedan and wagon forms, but an E63 AMG coupe likely is on the horizon). The new-for-2013 E400 hybrid—featuring a 3.0-liter V-6 and a 27-hp, 207-lb-ft electric motor—will continue to be available as well. No diesel hybrid will be offered in the U.S., nor will any of Benz’s efficient four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines.

A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission on all models in the U.S. The jigsaw puzzle that is all-wheel-drive availability and restriction within the E-class lineup will remain as tedious as ever but likely won’t change much from today’s matrix.

Competition: Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, Lexus GS.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The face-lifted E-class will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January 2013 and go on sale in the summer of next year as a 2014 model. When the new model arrives, we expect it to carry stickers similar to the current models’; prices will begin at just over $50,000, with a hefty premium for the wagon and the convertible.