Name: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (2017 – 2023) | Expert Rating
Item: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
Rating: 56.0

Summary

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet was a four-seat convertible, sitting above the C-Class Cabriolet and below the S-Class Cabriolet. It was launched in 2017 and ended production in 2023, being replaced by the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet.

As the name suggests, the E-Class Cabriolet was effectively an open-top version of the E-Class coupé, which in turn was based on the regular E-Class executive saloon. The Cabriolet was launched in spring 2017, with a mid-life facelift arriving in 2020. Production ended in 2023 when Mercedes consolidated the two-door E-Class and C-Class models into a single model called the CLE – effectively harking back to the old CLK of the 1990s and 2000s that did much the same thing.

The E-Class Cabriolet was available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a petrol/mild hybrid and an unusual diesel/mild hybrid option. All models had a nine-speed automatic gearbox, while all-wheel drive was available on some versions.

Mirroring the praise given to the E-Class saloon, the E-Class Cabriolet was commended for its plush and refined interior, its ride comfort, sleek exterior and everyday practicality. Car concluded that the E-Class Cabriolet was “everything a four-seat convertible should be – pretty, comfortable and luxurious for sunny weather and decently practical for everyday drudgery too.”

While the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet offered plenty of comfort, reviewers generally conclude that this drop-top is luxurious rather than sporty. Carwow commented: “It’s not much fun to drive through corners, but it excels at cruising gently with the roof down to enjoy the scenery.”

As of November 2024, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 56%. Although it generally got good media review scores, its running costs are high and its reliability record is poor.

E-Class Cabriolet highlights

Luxurious interior
Smooth and comfortable ride
Practical for a cabriolet
Refined exterior looks
Not a big price jump over the C-Class Cabriolet

E-Class Cabriolet lowlights

Comfort-tuned suspension affects handling
Infotainment system not particularly intuitive
Optional extras get pricey
Unimpressive fuel economy
Awkwardly shaped boot

Key specifications

Body style: 2+2 soft-top convertible
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price when new: From £51,855 on-road

Launched: Spring 2017
Last updated: Summer 2020
Ended production: Autumn 2023

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is a big, elegant soft-top that offers bags of style, enough quality and some great tech. The updates have helped further boost its appeal, and this more affordable E 300 model has just enough power given that it focuses on a relaxed drive.”
Read review

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is comfortable, well-built and great to look at.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is that rare thing: a prestige four-seat convertible. It’s a seriously tempting buy, too.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Rage overview
Score: 7 / 10
“This car’s design isn’t set to stun, and neither is the driving experience. But it is a car that enriches balmy days and enjoyable drives with its mellow charm and its unassuming sense of indulgence, without trying in any way to be exciting or dramatic.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Everything a four-seat convertible should be – pretty (except in aero mode), comfortable and luxurious for sunny weather and decently practical for everyday drudgery too.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is now a true four-seater with a decent boot, along with a stylish interior and superb comfort”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet oozes class and turns heads like few other drop-tops. If you want driving thrills with the wind in your hair, there are better options though.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed: E220d Cabriolet AMG Line
“The E-Class is a fine example, a two-door, four seater with a soft top that has all the bells and whistles you would expect for a car.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: E400 4Matic Cabriolet
Score: 8 / 10
“Merc’s latest E-class Cabriolet isn’t the fastest or sportiest car, but it’s still capable of impressing.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Impressive refinement, solidity and a top quality interior, few compromises over the coupe.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Unique combination of high quality, comfort and space, realistically priced.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The posh cabriolet market isn’t huge. Perhaps the E-Class’s utter dominance is to blame.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is no sports car, but it is a superb open-top cruiser that specialises in comfort and splendid isolation.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet was not tested by Euro NCAP during its production life.

The E-Class Cabriolet may have been based on the saloon of the same name but there were significant structural differences – mainly resulting from the car having no roof. As such, the Cabriolet did not inherit the saloon’s safety rating.

The Cabriolet was well equipped with standard safety technology shared with the E-Class saloon, such as autonomous emergency braking and emergency steering assistance. It also contained pop-up rollover bars behind the rear seats that could be activated in a fraction of a second, which were triggered if the car sensed that it was tipping over.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 713
Average repair cost: £714.59
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class family has a below-average reliability rating of 63%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to all E-Class body styles (saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet) and also to multiple generations, which is worth considering if you are considering a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Based on more than 700 warranty claims, the average repair cost is just over £700 so a used car warranty is well worth considering if you own or are considering an E-Class. More than a third of claims concern the electrical system, with an average bill of more than £550. Engine and gearbox faults are unsurprisingly the most expensive problems, and are not uncommon in the E-Class. Make sure that any warranty you are purchasing covers all of these problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	34 mpg	D	31 – 36 mpg	D – E
Diesel models	44 mpg	C	38 – 49 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	191 g/km	C	176 – 208 g/km	C – D
Diesel models	168 g/km	C	151 – 195 g/km	B – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	42	D	40 – 47	C – D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£358	C
Year 2	£849	C
Year 3	£1,388	C
Year 4	£1,664	C
Year 5	£2,141	C
Overall	£6,400	C

Running costs for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class border on expensive, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models and around the market average for diesel-engined versions. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.

Compared to the rest of the executive saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet has received

2021

What Car? Used Car Awards – Best Used Convertible

2018

Stuff Motoring Awards – Best Convertible

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi A5 Cabriolet | BMW 4 Series Convertible | BMW 8 Series Convertible | Ford Mustang convertible | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet

The market for four-seater premium drop-tops is pretty small, with most car manufacturers having abandoned the market in favour of buiding ever-more SUVs instead. Mercedes continued to dominate the segment in the 2010s, with both the E-Class and C-Class Cabriolet models. It offered an S-Class Cabriolet for a generation as well, but that ended production in 2020 with no replacement.

The E-Class Cabriolet had more interior space, a higher specification and – inevitably – a higher price tag than the C-Class Cabriolet, which was a closer match to vehicles from other brands like the Audi A5 Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Convertible.