At a glance

Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Base price: $147,892 (E 350 Cabriolet), $241,400 (E 63 S).

Powertrain and economy: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-four, 220kW/ 400Nm, 9-speed automatic, RWD, combined economy 7.8L/100km, CO 2 179g/km (E 350) and 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, 450kW/850Nm, 9-speed dual-clutch automatic, AWD, combined economy 12.3L/100km, CO 282g/km (E 63 S). 2

Vital statistics: 4835mm long, 1605mm wide, 1428mm high, 2873mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 385 litres, 20-inch alloy wheels (E 350) and 4984mm long, 1868mm wide, 1463mm high, 2939mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 540 litres, 20-inch alloy wheels (E 63 S).

We like: E 350 is quiet with the roof down at motorway speeds and the mild hybrid is excellent, while the E 63’s mighty V8 is brutal in the best way, is fantastic to drive and more comfortable than previous models.

We don’t like: The E 350 is quite expensive and its ICE engine a bit coarse, while that fabulous V8 in the E 63 is a bit tough to justify these days.