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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Class: Midsize Cars
Body styles: E 350 2dr Coupe, E 350 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD, E 350 4matic Wagon AWD, E 350 Cabriolet 2dr Conv
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel: Premium Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best): 23 combined · 20 city / 30 hwy
Length: 185–192.9 in
Curb weight: 3,660–4,244 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 21 for similar models.
No recalls so far

Watch out for

Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,660 lb (E 350 2dr Coupe).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 30 highway), 4% worse than the 2012 midsize car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

What changed for 2012

Engines added: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
Engines dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl
Best combined MPG up from 20 to 23

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 E-Class →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
E 350 2dr Coupe	185 in	70.5 in	54.7 in	108.7 in	60.6 / 61 in	3,660 lb	52/48
E 350 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD	191.7 in	72.8 in	57.9 in	113 in	62.2 / 62.6 in	4,023 lb	52/48
E 350 4matic Wagon AWD	192.9 in	72.8 in	59.8 in	113 in	62.2 / 63 in	4,244 lb	52/48
E 350 Cabriolet 2dr Conv	185.4 in	70.5 in	55.5 in	108.7 in	60.2 / 59.8 in	3,935 lb	52/48
E 350bluetec 4dr Sedan	191.7 in	72.8 in	57.9 in	113 in	62.2 / 62.6 in	4,068 lb	52/48
E 550 2dr Coupe	185 in	70.5 in	54.7 in	108.7 in	60.6 / 61 in	3,957 lb	52/48

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
E350	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	20 / 30 / 23	-4%	$3,550	386
E350 Coupe FFV	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	20 / 28 / 23	+6%	$3,550	386
E350 Coupe	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19 / 28 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
E350 Convertible	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19 / 28 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
E350 4matic	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	19 / 28 / 22	-8%	$3,750	404
E350 4matic (wagon)	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	19 / 27 / 22	-11%	$3,750	404
E350 4matic Coupe	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	19 / 27 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
E350 Convertible FFV	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19 / 28 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
E350 4matic Coupe FFV	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	19 / 27 / 22	+1%	$3,750	404
E550 Coupe	4.7L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17 / 27 / 21	-3%	$3,900	423
E550 4matic	4.7L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	4-Wheel Drive	16 / 26 / 20	-16%	$4,100	444
E550 Convertible	4.7L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16 / 25 / 19	-12%	$4,350	468
E63 AMG	5.5L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16 / 24 / 19	-21%	$4,350	468
E63 AMG (wagon)	5.5L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic 7-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	15 / 23 / 18	-27%	$4,550	494

Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

23.9 MPG2012 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Similar 2012 midsize cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (this car)	23 MPG	Not rated	0
2012 BMW 3 Series	27 MPG	Not rated	3
2012 BMW 5 Series	27 MPG	Not rated	0
2012 Lexus IS	24 MPG	Not rated	5
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class	25 MPG	Not rated	0
2012 Audi A6	28 MPG	Not rated	8
2012 Lexus ES	22 MPG	Not rated	3

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other E-Class years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall
2027 E-Class	28	–	Not rated
2026 E-Class	28	195.3 in	Not rated
2025 E-Class	28	195.3 in	Not rated
2024 E-Class	27	190.2 in	Not rated
2023 E-Class	26	190.2 in	★★★★★
2022 E-Class	26	190.2 in	★★★★★
2021 E-Class	26	190.2 in	★★★★★
2020 E-Class	26	190.2 in	★★★★★
2019 E-Class	25	190.2 in	★★★★★
2018 E-Class	25	193.7 in	★★★★★
2017 E-Class	25	193.7 in	★★★★★
2016 E-Class	23	191.7 in	★★★★★

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →