The Mercedes E-Class lineup can seem daunting and complex, yet there is only one primary choice: four-door sedan or wagon. From there, it's a matter of choosing the engine and whether you want 4Matic all-wheel drive.

The E350 models come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The E350 sedan ($51,325) comes with a seven-speed automatic while the all-wheel-drive 4Matic ($53,825) has a five-speed automatic. E350s are available in Sport or Luxury trim. The E320 Bluetec ($52,325) is equipped identically to the E350 Luxury version, but features the turbodiesel engine.

The E350 4Matic wagon ($56,475) is equipped comparably to the sedan. A power liftgate and cargo organizer are standard, along with a folding third seat that increases passenger capacity to seven.

Standard features include fully automatic dual-zone climate control, 10-way power front seats with leather seating surfaces and memory, real burl walnut trim, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a nine-speaker surround-sound stereo, power windows with one-touch express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors and rain-sensing windshield wipers. New standard equipment for 2007 includes a glass sunroof, six-disc CD changer, harman/kardon Logic 7 premium audio and, in the wagon, a power liftgate.

Luxury trim comes with 17-inch wheels, comfort suspension, green-tinted glass and burl walnut wood trim. Sport trim includes 18-inch twin-spoke wheels, a sport rear bumper with dual exhaust pipes, lowered sports suspension, blue-tinted glass, black bird's eye maple wood trim, white gauges, and a matte chrome gearshift surround.

Options include the Premium 1 package ($2,390) with phone pre-wiring, DVD navigation, Sirius satellite radio, power rear window sunshade and heated front seats. Premium II ($4,290) adds headlamp washers, a bi-xenon active light system, cornering fog lamps, and Keyless Go to that list. Also optional: a panorama sunroof ($1,000), electronic trunk closer ($520), split/folding rear seats ($300), radar-controlled Distronic adaptive cruise control ($3,160); a wood/leather steering wheel ($540); five-spoke chrome 17-inch wheels ($1,200); and Parktronic obstacle warning ($1,110).

The E550 ($59,775) and E550 4Matic ($62,275) sedans are powered by the 382-hp V8, and it offers more standard equipment than the E350. Upgrades include a four-zone climate control system and Airmatic variable air suspension. Options include the Premium I package ($2,840), which adds active ventilated seats to the E350's similar package, while Premium II ($4,740) is identical in content to the E350's.

The E63 AMG sedan ($85,375) and wagon ($86,175) include the 507-hp V8, a seven-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, massive 18-inch tires and wheels, performance brakes, a lowered chassis and an aggressively tuned air suspension. They're distinguished by unique body touches and interior trim, deeply sculpted sports seats and AMG markings. Options are similar to those on the other E-Class models.

Safety features that come standard on all models include eight airbags: dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for front and rear passengers, and head-protection curtains that run the length of the cabin on both sides. The airbag management system employs multiple impact sensors designed to more precisely control the timing and rate of deployment. The system accounts for the weight of a front-seat passenger and controls seatbelt pretensioners according to the force of impact. Active safety features start with anti-skid stability electronics and the latest evolution of ABS.

Safety is further enhanced by the Pre-Safe system, which was engineered to recognize critical situations as they develop and prepare both the passengers and the car for the crisis. If braking deceleration exceeds a certain level or the vehicle threatens to skid, the system tensions the front seatbelts, adjusts the position of the passenger seat for optimum positioning relative to deployment of the airbags, and closes the side windows and sliding sunroof, leaving only a small gap. In the event of a rear collision, the front head restraints move forward nearly two inches and upward by more than an inch, helping to support the head and reduce whiplash injuries.