New Benz hard to miss

The newest version of the E-Class by Mercedes-Benz. Provided by the company

Like a dessert cart wheeling past diners at a restaurant, the latest Mercedes-Benz turns plenty of heads when it cruises by on the road.

With its slick appearance and hard-to-miss emblem, the German automaker’s new E-Class sedan stands out even among the numerous high-end imported vehicles that crowd the streets of Seoul today.

The latest version of the long-dormant E-Class, released last month, undoubtedly continues the Mercedes-Benz tradition of sophistication and top-notch quality.

The vehicle has been given a complete facelift from its previous model, which hit the market seven years ago.

The vehicle’s high-quality, luxurious interior

The front part of the new E-Class, including the headlights, sports an aggressive look.

While the previous model opted for a softer appearance defined by curves, the new E-Class is more direct and square-like.

The front of the new model also is lower than the back, which gives it the appearance of a sports car. Having said that, the latest E-Class mixes simplicity with sophistication - the style the automaker built its brand on.

Now on to the interior, which is spacious and luxurious.

The seats are undoubtedly comfortable. Even when taking the vehicle out in the countryside, my back wasn’t strained at all, which usually happens in other cars. The dashboard was designed to mix the latest designs with an analog appearance. Most noticeable is the round analog clock next to the speedometer.

Even though the vehicle is a high-end luxury machine, it is surprisingly practical. One of its best features is the fact that the back seats can fold flat, giving you a lot more storage space (though the trunk is already plenty large as is).

There’s also additional storage space worth noting. In addition to the standard glove compartment, there is a secondary storage area underneath the passenger seat. Easy to overlook, this secondary compartment comes in very handy.

In terms of performance, the C 220 CDI BlueEfficiency Avantgarde - the model I drove - cannot be matched. It has the right amount of heaviness and steadiness, giving it perfect balance. When speeding around corners, the vehicle never loses its equilibrium.

The E-Class surely raises the excitement of driving. Even through it is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, the gear is shaped like a manual stick. That can be a bit confusing when you first buckle in behind the wheel. But once you get adjusted, it heightens the pleasure of cruising around, as you feel like you’re driving a car with manual transmission.

I should note that it does take some time before the vehicle starts picking up speed. But you can feel the 231 horsepower on slopes.

As it was with the Merceds-Benz GLK, the biggest setback with the new E-Class is that its navigation system still relies on the use of a remote control. As I have mentioned in previous reviews, Korean drivers are more accustomed to a touch-screen system. The remote-control navigation system is unquestionably far safer, in the sense that the driver actually needs to park the vehicle on the side of the road to control it. But, in reality, Korean drivers tend to want to use their GPS systems while stuck in traffic. The touch system is simply more speedy and convenient, especially in those situations. With the system installed in the E-Class, drivers will have to fumble around with the remote, which could be quite frustrating.

To raise its competitiveness in the market, Mercedes-Benz has lowered the price of the E-Class by 3 million won ($2,597) to 5 million won compared to the previous model. But it’s still pricey: the new E-Class costs between 69.1 million won and 81.5 million won.

Overall, this car is a leading machine in its genre, not only in looks but also in performance - except for the remote-control navigation system, which can really get under your skin.

By Lee Ho-jeong [ojlee82@joongang.co.kr]