MERCEDES BENZE-Klasse (W212) 2009 - 2012

　　Mercedes-Benz introduced a new generation of the E-Class in 2009 when the world financial crisis was about to end, and automakers started to see the first rise in their sales numbers.

　　Whether the German automaker waited or not to see the end of the crisis is debatable. We know that its predecessor, the W211, was built for more than seven years, and this one lasted less than that. It was available in three trim levels and received a facelift four years after its introduction.

　　The styling was shocking for most of its customers. After two generations of double-round headlights, this model came with double square-ish ones. Moreover, the inner ones featured sharp lines, and the outer ones sported a completely different styling. If the front fascia was not the best part of the vehicle, the sides with their bulging rear quarter panels offered a more muscular look. Just remember, though, that this was not a sports sedan.

　　The interior featured a dashboard with a double instrument cluster, which was extended above the center stack and hosted the infotainment unit's display. Even though many automakers had already adopted touchscreens, the Mercedes-Benz relied on a swiveling dial placed on the center console, between the seats, to access the menus. It was the carmaker's choice. The same idea was used by its main rival, BMW. The E-Class offered a lot of room inside the cabin, with a pair of bucket seats at the front and a bench profiled for two in the back. Yet, it was easy to fit three adults in the back.

　　Under the hood, the W212 received a choice of diesel and gasoline engines that were paired with either a five- or a seven-speed automatic gearbox. While most versions featured a rear-wheel drive system, the carmaker also offered the 4Matic version (all-wheel drive) for selected engines.

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