Pros & Cons
- All-season top-down luxury.
- Quiet insulated soft-top operation.
- Multi-contour seats, heated/cooled.
- Trunk shrinks with top down.
- Noticeable body roll in corners.
- Aging COMAND infotainment interface.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Review with Vyocar
For all its drop-top glamour, the 2014 E350 Cabriolet is basically a beautifully trimmed couch on wheels, sublime for relaxed cruising, but a total letdown when you go hunting for real driver involvement.
Overview
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 Cabriolet is a luxury midsize convertible that insists it’s a grand-tourer. And you know what? It mostly pulls it off. This twodoor, four-passenger drop-top is all about open-air cruising without screaming for attention. The soft-top operates smoothly, and when it’s up, the cabin is genuinely refined and a quiet cabin. The Mercedes-Benz team understood that for an upscale convertible, a comfortable ride isn’t just nice, it’s mandatory.
Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 with DOHC and direct-injection, serving up 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft torque. It feeds through a 7-speed automatic, the 7G-Tronic, which you can poke via paddle shifters into manual mode. Drivers cross-shopping a more traditional luxury sedan might also be eying a Cadillac CTS before committing to a soft-top. Rear-wheel drive RWD is standard, but if you face real winters, the 4MATIC all-wheel drive option has your back. It won’t set your hair on fire, but it delivers power with a polished shrug.
Slide inside. The premium vibe is immediate, thanks to Nappa leather everywhere and tasteful wood trim. The COMAND infotainment system runs the show, though its interface sometimes feels like a relic from a bygone tech era. Premium audio saves the day for your playlists. Those multi-contour seats are fantastic, and with heated seats and ventilated seats, you’re sorted whether it’s frosty or sweltering. My tester wore 18-inch alloy wheels; AMG wheels are waiting if you crave more drama.
Now, the option list. You can stack packages like poker chips: the Sport package for a firmer stance, Premium 1 package for more toys, Lighting package for brighter eyes, Parking Assist package for lazy days, and Driver Assistance package for peace of mind, the same kind of checkbox temptation you’ll recognize if you’ve priced a Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabriolet. The base price hovers near $60,000, but a price as tested over $70,000 is common. Practical? Kind of. Trunk capacity tightens with the convertible roof stowed, but cargo volume works for a soft weekend bag. The wind deflector and Airscarf are sheer brilliance for all-season top-down joy. So, does it fit real life? If you prioritize style without sacrificing substance, yes.
What’s New for 2014
So the 2014 model got a refreshed look. Don’t call it a full redesign; call it a mid-life facelift that mostly worked. The front end is cleaner, with these new integrated headlamps and standard LED headlamps that actually make night driving less guesswork. Out back, you get slimmer LED taillamps and a new bumper for a sharper suit. They tweaked the hood ornament and offered two looks: the classic Elegance styling or the more aggressive Sport styling with its A-Wing design and sculpted fenders. The taillamp treatments are distinct. It’s a visual nip-tuck, not surgery.
Inside, it’s a reworked interior that finally ditches the old dashboard. The new two-piece dash and instrument panel feel more current. You can get lovely wood accents, moody ambent lighting, and the central 7-inch display is now standard, controlled by the familiar rotary controller for the COMAND system. This includes navigation and real-time traffic, plus SiriusXM. My tester had the Logic 7 audio which was solid. The big wins are the cozy heated seats, the glorious ventilated seats for leather-stick prevention, and a power rear sunshade that’s a sunburn savior. Keyless start and Hands-Free Access? Yes, please.
But the real story is the optional gear. You bundle things into packs. Fancy lights? Get the Lighting Package. Hate parking? The Parking Assist Package with active parking assist and surroundview camera is for you. The Driver Assistance Package is the safety overachiever, bundling collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and Distronic Plus which is their adaptive cruise control. It also throws in Blind Spot Assist and drowsiness detection. They even offer a Wood Trim Package for your trim fetish and a Lane Tracking Package. All this tech builds up to PRE-SAFE, the system that braces the car before a hit. It’s a lot of alphabet soup, but some of it is genuinely useful.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Pick
Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics
Under the hood, you get a 3.5-liter V6 with DOHC, direct injection, and naturally aspirated breathing. It produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft torque. The engine performance is smooth, but let’s be real: in a world of turbochargers, this naturally aspirated unit feels like a classic rock band in a pop era — respectable, but not headlining. For buyers who might also be eyeing a Buick LaCrosse as a comfy daily, this V6 plays the same smooth, unfussy tune. Acceleration? It hits 0-60 mph in about 6.5 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph. The torque delivery is linear, which is polite but not thrilling. Paired with a seven-speed automatic (7G-Tronic), the powertrain is competent. You have paddle shifters and a Tiptronic mode via the column-mounted shifter, but the shift quality can be lazy. Engage manual mode and you’ll notice shift delays that make you question the point. The drive modes, including Sport mode, tighten things up, but it’s no magic bullet.
The driving dynamics are where this cabriolet shows its split personality. Electronic steering offers light steering effort at low speeds, but steering response is muted, like trying to have a deep conversation with a chatbot. The suspension uses a multi-link suspension setup with independent suspension all around, providing decent ride comfort. But push it into a corner, and body roll appears like an uninvited guest at a party. Agility? Think more luxury barge than sports car. Stability is good, especially with RWD (rear-wheel drive), though 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) was an option for those scared of a little slip.
Now, about handling and braking. The handling is predictable but not playful. You won’t confuse this with a muscle car. Braking is strong with ABS as your safety net, but the pedal feel is a bit soft, like stepping on a memory foam pillow. Overall, the driving dynamics prioritize comfort over excitement. It’s a convertible for cruises, not canyon carving.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet Fuel Economy Test
Look, the EPA says this car gets 19 mpg city and a hopeful 28 mpg highway for a 22 mpg combined fuel economy rating. My own test results? I saw a 22.1 mpg observed average, which frankly isn’t bad for a two-ton fabric-top cruiser. If you’re cross-shopping it with a Kia Stinger or other sportier options, these numbers lean more toward relaxed cruising than efficiency bragging rights. That’s real-world fuel consumption for you. Sure, you’ll wince at the pump because it demands premium fuel, and that 17.4-gallon tank means your driving range is just okay. The highway mpg is its sweet spot for miles per gallon, but around town, the city mpg feels like a thirsty friend. So, the fuel efficiency isn’t a headline, but it’s predictable.
Interior, Comfort and Space
Slip into the front seats and you’re greeted with plush leather seats that feel like a well-worn baseball glove. The power adjustment is extensive, with memory settings so you can find your sweet spot after your spouse messes it up. I appreciate the multi-contour seats with adjustable lumbar support; they’re genuinely comfortable and supportive on long hauls. The heated seats are a godsend in winter, and the ventilated seats fight summer sweat. But those fixed headrests? They’re like a stubborn relative—you can’t move them, and they might not suit everyone.
The cabin wraps you in a mix of wood trim and brushed aluminum on the dashboard and center console. It’s all premium materials with tight fit and finish, though some plastics lower down feel like a cost-cutting punchline. The ambient lighting sets a mood, but it’s no nightclub. Climate control is a champ, with dual-zone climate keeping both sides happy. The cockpit is driver-focused, but the adjustable steering, tilt steering and telescoping steering, ensures you find a perfect reach without a yoga session.
Now, the convertible top. The power-operated roof folds smoothly, and the soft top does a decent job with sound insulation, but at highway speeds, wind noise becomes a constant companion. Space? Headroom is fine up front, but legroom and shoulder room in the rear seats are tighter than a coach airline seat. Kids only back there. For your junk, cup holders and door pockets are present, but they’re not huge — think weekend bag, not moving van. It’s a trade-off for open-air fun.
Cargo Space & Family Practicality
Let’s be blunt about trunk space. This car boasts a cargo capacity of 11.5 cu ft, which translates to a genuinely small trunk. That boot is tight, offering limited storage that makes packing for a weekend a strategic exercise. Once you drop the folding roof, you’re left with compromised space; my test run with groceries and a duffel bag was a comedy of errors. The optional cargo liner helps, but the footwell and door pockets are so shallow they’re nearly useless for anything bulkier than a pair of sunglasses. Where does your actual life go? It’s a constant puzzle.
Now, ponder family use. Those rear seats are a classic 2+2 seating joke, resulting in a cramped rear best suited for bags or very small children. Yes, it has child seat anchors (Isofix) and seat belts, but wrestling child seats into place is a chore. The overall practicality for daily usability hinges on how little luggage you carry. If your family needs more than a token backpack, this cabriolet’s family practicality waves a white flag. It’s a style piece, not a minivan.
Infotainment, Connectivity & Tech
The COMAND infotainment system feels like it required a philosophy degree to master back in 2014. The navigation works, but the interface is a chore. At least the basics are here: Bluetooth for phone pairing and audio streaming, a USB port, an AUX input, an SD card slot, and iPod connectivity. Trying to use smartphone integration is a patience test. The voice control? Let’s just say the voice recognition had attitude problems. My savior? The Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system. It’s fantastic, making satellite radio like SiriusXM and HD Radio sound rich. Even the real-time traffic updates couldn’t save the main setup from feeling old.
You spend more time looking at the instrument cluster screen than the optional head-up display. The multi-function steering wheel is packed, but those steering-wheel controls become familiar friends for managing the cruise control and audio. For parking, it’s better equipped. The parking sensors beep, the rearview camera or backup camera gives a clear shot, and the surround-view camera system with Parktronic is a genuine help for squeezing this convertible into tight spots.
Outside, the adaptive headlights (these Xenon lamps are bright, though some models got LED headlights) do their job. Power-folding mirrors and heated exterior mirrors are small wins. Rain-sensing wipers work as they should. My favorite party trick? The keyless start combined with Hands-Free Access for the doors. It feels like magic, even if the tech elsewhere shows its age.
Safety Features & Driver Assistance
As a test driver, I’ve seen plenty of safety tech, but the 2014 E350 Cabriolet stuffs in a lounge singer’s suit worth of airbags. You get front airbags, side airbags, knee airbags, and curtain airbags, it’s like being caught by a fluffy cloud if trouble hits. Seat belts do their job, but they’re just the warm-up. The real action comes from the brakes: ABS and antilock brakes partner with traction control and stability control to keep the car planted. Brake Assist is quiet about it, while Crosswind Assist saves your bacon when a gust tries to swat you into the next lane.
Now, the electronic nannies. The backup camera and parking sensors work fine, though the surround-view camera looks like a pixelated video game. Blind spot assist chimes like a worried mom, and lane keeping assist with lane departure warning nudges you back, sometimes with the subtlety of a stage whisper. Distronic Plus adjusts cruise control smoothly, but Attention Assist monitors your eyelids like a bored detective. Collision Prevention Assist and Cross-Traffic Alert are silent sentinels, and PRE-SAFE cinches everything tight before impact. Rollover protection deploys faster than a gossip rumor, and emergency braking can feel abrupt. Rounding it out are tire pressure monitoring, child safety locks, and Isofix anchors for your tiny passengers. It’s a safety blanket that sometimes smothers, but hey, you’ll live.
Warranty and Ownership Costs
Let’s peel back the glossy brochure and talk contracts. I always start with the warranty, and this 2014 cabriolet originally offered a 4-year/50,000 mile basic wrap, including a powertrain warranty. The corrosion protection was a brighter spot at 6-year unlimited mileage. If the first owner sprang for the maintenance plan, they dodged the bill for Service A and Service B. Those dealer visits handle the synthetic oil oil change, swap filters, and refresh brake fluid at fixed service intervals. For a used model today, an extended warranty or a Certified Pre-Owned warranty is a smart play, usually tossing in roadside assistance for good measure.
Now, the sobering math of driving this thing. Depreciation has treated this convertible like a bad celebrity haircut—harsh and inevitable. Insurance costs a pretty penny, and it strictly drinks premium fuel. Repair costs can soar if reliability hiccups, so never ignore maintenance costs. The resale value holds up okay for a German drop-top, but let’s be clear: the total ownership cost is why you buy this with your heart, not your spreadsheet.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet?
My final verdict starts with a question: who is the target audience? If you dream of a luxury convertible that’s a comfortable cruiser first, this car whispers your name. It delivers a refined ride and quiet operation that coddle you better than a cashmere sweater. The stylish design holds up, and the comfort is superb. But the performance? It’s polite, not pulse-quickening. Think of it as a very fancy sofa that goes eighty miles an hour.
Here’s the catch. Practicality takes a hit when the roof folds; the trunk becomes a joke. Reliability is a concern—this is a decade-old German tech festival. Depreciation has softened the blow, affecting cost of ownership, but maintenance bills can still sting. The value is there only if you truly want this specific blend of calm and class. Enthusiast appeal is nearly zero. Weigh alternatives like a 6-series BMW if you crave more grip. My recommendation? A hesitant yes for sun-seeking smoothness lovers. The conclusion? It’s a firm no for anyone who budgets for fun over finesse.
FAQs about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet
Buying GuideIs the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet still a good buy as a used luxury convertible?
Ownership CostsHow reliable is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet and what should I budget for ownership costs?
PracticalityIs the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet practical for daily driving or family use?
| SPEC | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 (DOHC, direct injection) |
| Horsepower / Torque | 302 hp @ 6,500 rpm / 273 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) • Optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic (7G-Tronic) with manual mode and paddle shifters |
| 0–60 mph | ~6.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | Electronically limited to 130 mph |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined (RWD) |
| Real-World MPG | 20–23 mpg combined (typical observed range) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.4 gallons |
| Suspension | Independent multi-link front and rear • Adaptive suspension available (Sport Package) |
| Brakes | 4-wheel disc brakes • ABS • Brake Assist • Stability control • Traction control |
| Wheels / Tires | 17-inch standard alloy wheels • Optional 18-inch and AMG wheel packages |
| Curb Weight | ~4,000 lbs (varies slightly by RWD vs AWD) |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers (2+2 configuration) |
| Cargo Space | 11.5 cu ft (roof up) • Reduced with top folded |
| Driving Range | ~300–330 miles per tank (real-world) |
| Premium Fuel | Required |
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