Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (2017 – 2023) Review

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet occupies a unique position in the marketplace. Unlike smaller rivals such as the Audi A5 or BMW 4 Series, the E-Class is a genuine four-seat convertible. Although dropping the fabric roof does remove some boot space, this is still a very practical cabriolet. 

Handsome styling, a premium badge and a high-quality interior bursting with the latest technology are all major plus-points, too. Despite its impressive array of engines and the engineering under the skin, however, do not mistake this for a sports car. 

Mercedes-Benz has been on a mission for many years to fill every possible gap in its model range. The result of this is the stylish E-Class Cabriolet, which slots in neatly between the smaller C-Class and extravagant drop-top S-Class.

However, the determination of the German marque to plug every hole leaves the E-Class Cabriolet with no direct competitors.

It manages to be larger than convertible versions of the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series and, unlike those cars, it can transport four adults in comfort. Curiously, only the closely related E-Class Coupe offers any real competition. 

Forget ideas of convertibles with back seats only for children, because the E-Class Cabriolet has an impressive amount of headroom and legroom in the rear. Front-seat passengers still get the best deal, avoiding the upright shape of the rear bench. Even the boot is a usable size, with the folding fabric roof only mildly affecting cargo space. 

Raising and lowering the soft-top roof is a simple affair, and can be completed in less than 20 seconds. It can also be operated at speeds of up to 31mph, maximising the potential for sunshine. The clever Aircap system keeps draughts to a minimum with the roof down, and the Airscarf vents can blow warm air across your neck (like a scarf) on cooler days. 

Technology is another key part of the E-Class Cabriolet’s appeal. Mercedes-Benz has stuffed the interior with the latest gadgets, with the newest cars even gaining augmented reality for the nav system. A pair of customisable display screens are used for the digital dashboard and multimedia systems, joining together to form one widescreen panel.

The interior itself is inspired by the opulent Mercedes S-Class, looking and feeling reassuringly expensive. All the elements the driver will touch are made from high-quality materials, with metal and leather both common components. LED ambient lighting allows a degree of personalisation, and gives the impression of the dashboard floating above the centre console. 

On the outside, the E-Class Cabriolet also looks the part, with LED headlights and AMG-inspired styling elements delivering a bold look. A broad array of standard safety equipment is as you’d expect from Mercedes-Benz.

Later 2020 models can even detect if the driver still has hold of the steering wheel, and take avoiding action should the risk of a collision arise.

It would be hard to blame E-Class Cabriolet drivers for taking a more hands-off approach, frankly, given the laid-back nature the car exudes. Despite its sporty styling, this is very much a machine for cruising boulevards and looking cool. This even includes the rapid AMG E 53 performance model, which can deliver a serious turn of speed. 

Light steering and a comfortable ride, especially on models with the excellent air suspension, cement the role of the E-Class as a luxury vehicle. The engine range includes powerful petrol and diesel options, but none will make you drive the E-Class like a sports car.

Instead, the emphasis here is firmly on enjoying the journey, and feeling relaxed on arrival. 

The focus here is on enjoying the ride and the sunshine (weather permitting) in open-air relaxation.

It makes a strong attempt at tight turns, with speed-sensitive steering and adjustable suspension fitted as standard. But the sheer weight of the E-Class Cabriolet is something technology cannot completely overcome. The result is a car best driven as a laid-back cruiser, rather than outright sports car. 

Ride quality is impressive on entry-level models with Agility Control suspension using traditional steel springs. Using ‘Comfort’ mode will help cope with the worst potholes and bumps in the road. However, ultimate relaxation comes from higher-grade cars using Air Body Control.

This air suspension system gives the best of both worlds. A comfortable ride, but a lack of body-roll in corners, making it an option worth seeking out.

Engine choices for the E-Class Cabriolet are numerous, and all come fitted with an excellent nine-speed automatic gearbox. 

The four-cylinder E 300 petrol is the entry-level petrol, and was joined by a more powerful E 350 version after the 2018 facelift. Both have the pace to make the E-Class feel lively, but the range-topping V6 petrols are hard to ignore. 

The E 400 and (replacement) E 450 V6 engines deliver more speed, plus a pleasing exhaust note. Both have four-wheel drive as standard, too. The AMG E 53 has a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six, fitted with mild-hybrid technology, to offer peak performance. 

Changes for the 2020 model year included mild-hybrid technology being rolled out across the full petrol range. This delivers an extra shot of power and torque, and also lets the E-Class coast in silence.

Diesel offerings begin with the four-cylinder E 220d, which is the economy orientated pick of the bunch. Mercedes offered the V6 E 350d initially, before upgrading it to the more powerful E 400d. As with the petrol range, opting for more cylinders suits the nature of the E-Class Cabriolet best.

Thanks to a pioneering approach to technology by Mercedes-Benz, there should be no concerns about the safety of the E-Class Cabriolet. Euro NCAP awarded the E-Class saloon a full five-star rating when tested in 2016. Being based on the same platform, there is no reason to doubt the convertible version would be just as safe. 

Should the E-Class sense it is about to flip over, pop-up roll bars deploy from behind the rear seats. There is also a wealth of airbags inside, including a knee airbag for the driver. The rear seats incorporate Isofix child seat mounting points, while sensors automatically detect compatible child seats being used. 

Front and rear parking sensors are standard across the range, along with a reversing camera. Run-flat tyres are used on all models, meaning there is no spare wheel hidden beneath the boot floor.

Using a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet as a tow car may be a niche choice, but it does officially have the ability to pull a trailer. 

The E-Class is rated as being able to tow a braked trailer with a maximum capacity of 1800kg. Unbraked towing capacity is limited to 750kg.

While the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet may occupy a unique hinterland in the car market, its size does give it an advantage. Along with the handsome looks, it allows this convertible to deliver a degree of everyday practicality. 

The boot can hold up to 385 litres of luggage with the roof up, although the saloon-style opening makes it hard to slot bigger items inside. Like most convertibles, dropping the top sees storage space shrink to a still-respectable 310 litres. The rear seats can also fold flat if needed, offering more room for longer objects.

Unlike some, this is a four-seater cabriolet in more than just name alone. Legroom and headroom in the rear is genuinely impressive for an open car. Adults will be able to travel in relative comfort seated there, with only the upright shape of the back bench an issue. 

It all makes for a dose of usability that is typically hard to find with roofless motoring.

From a dashboard that appears to float above the centre console, to premium materials covering almost every surface, this is a true luxury experience. 

LED ambient lighting can provide a bespoke feel, while metal elements are used extensively. There are no parts that feel cheap to touch, helping justify the price tag of the E-Class.

Models facelifted in 2020 gain leather trim as standard across the range, plus updated interior trim. The changes also include a new design of steering wheel, which can detect whether the driver still has their hands in contact with it.

Giant display screens dominate the interior of the E-Class Cabriolet. Early models feature a pair of 8.4-inch screens mounted on a single widescreen panel. One displays a digital instrument screen, with the other in charge of multimedia. All models beyond entry-level four-cylinder cars have a larger 12.3-inch display.

Satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and USB connections are all included as standard. Touchpads on the steering wheel or centre console are used to change settings and scroll through menus. 

The 2020 version of the E-Class Cabrio introduces the impressive Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system. 

This features two high-definition 12.3-inch display screens, with features such as augmented reality for navigation included. Touch controllers are supplemented by new voice commands, allowing settings to be changed by saying “Hey, Mercedes”, as with a smartphone assistant.

Starting prices for a new 2020 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet dip just below £50,000. 

Spending £49,515 will secure a box-fresh E 220d diesel in AMG Line Premium specification. For not much more, buyers can go for the entry-level E 300 petrol, costing £49,995. At the other end of the price list, the rapid AMG E 53 4Matic+ is priced at £73,110 in range-topping Night Edition Premium Plus trim. 

These prices represent a premium of between £3,000 to £4,000 compared with the equivalent E-Class Coupe.

With 2020 E-Class Cabriolets still making their way to showrooms, PCP finance deals for these cars are not yet available. However, Mercedes-Benz dealerships are offering impressive incentives for those buying pre-facelift examples from stock. 

This includes a substantial £6,500 manufacturer deposit contribution on key models. Paying a £2,500 customer deposit would see the popular E 220d cost £560 per month, as part of a 48-month agreement. Mileage would be limited to 10,000 miles per year for this deal. 

Mercedes-Benz dealerships will also have access to the widest range of approved used and nearly-new E-Class Cabriolets. Expect the bulk of the cars on offer to be the E 220d diesel, which has been the most popular model since launch. Finding a petrol will take dedicated searching in comparison.

Given their relatively young age, even the earliest 2017 examples of the E-Class Cabriolet can still be found on a Mercedes dealer forecourt. Prices for a diesel E 220d start at around £20,000, and rise through to £40,000 for the latest nearly-new examples. 

Manufacturer-approved E 300 petrol models cost from £28,000, with the rare V6 E 450 pushing the budget to over £40,000. The performance AMG E 53 is marginally more plentiful in supply, with prices starting from £50,000.

Due to the size and weight of the E-Class, petrol-powered versions struggle with fuel economy. The four-cylinder E 300 delivers an average of up to 39.2mpg, usefully better than the 31mpg achieved by the V6 models. We’d still be tempted by the more powerful E 400 or E 450 over the four-cylinder versions, though. 

The diesel E 220d will appeal to those doing longer journeys, with the ability to officially achieve over 53mpg. Choosing a V6 diesel will see average miles per gallon figures in the low 40s. 

Insurance costs for the E-Class are befitting of a premium convertible. The new diesel E 220d is the lowest rated, slotting into group 40 out of 50. The four-cylinder petrol E 300 can be found in group 42, while the performance AMG E 53 is in group 47.

All E-Class Cabriolet models are covered by the latest VED (road tax) rules. With a list price beyond £40,000, each will be subject to the additional £325 annual charge after the first year of registration. This is applied for five years, taking the total VED cost to £475 each year.

Mercedes-Benz has kept trim levels for the E-Class Cabriolet relatively succinct. 

AMG Line was the original starting point, with these cars fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG exterior styling, LED headlights and SD-card satellite navigation as standard.

Moving to the Premium Package brings features such as keyless entry and a memory function for the front seats to the party. Premium Plus adds a Burmester sound system, along with intelligent LED headlights. 

There is also the optional Night Package, with gloss black grille inserts, 19-inch alloy wheels in a black finish, and privacy glass. 

Changes as part of the 2020 facelift saw multibeam LED headlights, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and the improved MBUX multimedia system become standard. AMG Line Premium became the starting trim in the range, with Night Edition Premium Plus the only next step on the ladder.