Engine: 3.2-liter dohc 24-valve turbodiesel inline-6

Engine Options: 221-hp 3.2-liter sohc 18-valve V6; 3.2-liter dohc 24-valve turbodiesel inline-6; 302-hp 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8; 469-hp 5.5-liter supercharged V8

Transmission: five-speed automatic with Touch Shift manual operation

Transmission Options: 5-speed automatic; 7-speed automatic

Standard Safety Equipment: antilock brakes (ABS); Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control; seatbelt pretensioners; dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front and rear curtain-style head-protection airbags

Optional Safety Equipment: none

Basic Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles

Assembled In: Sindelfingen, Germany

Model Tested: Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI sedan ($49,795)

Standard Equipment: automatic dual-zone climate control, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with multifunction controls, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 10-way power driver and passenger seats with leather inserts and three-position memory, cruise control, walnut trim, nine-speaker stereo, Tele-aid emergency communication system

Options as Tested: Pewter metallic paint with charcoal leather seat inserts ($600); power glass sunroof ($1260); heated front seats ($680); Premium sound system with CD changer ($970)

Destination Charge: 720

Gas Guzzler Tax:

Layout: rear-wheel drive

Horsepower: 201 @ 4200

Torque: 369 @ 1800

Miles Per Gallon in the City/Highway: 27/37

Wheelbase: 112.4 inches

Length/Width/Height in Inches: 189.7/71.3/57.2 inches

Track Front/Rear: 61.4/61.1 inches

Turning Cycle: 37.4 feet

Seating Capacity: 5 people

Head/Hip/Leg Room, f: 37.4/52.4/41.9 inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, m: inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, r: 37.7/53.8/35.6 inches

Trunk Volume: 15.9 cubic feet

Payload:

Suspension, f: independent with upper and lower control arms, coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers and stabilizer bar

Ground Clearance: inches

Curb Weight: 3835 pounds

Towing Capacity: pounds

Tires: 225/55HR16

Brakes: 11.6-in vented discs with four-piston floating calipers/11.8-in vented discs with two-piston fixed calipers; ABS, EBD, Brake Assist

Fuel Capacity: 21.1 Gallons