2015 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC

Introduced just last year, the E250 Bluetec is unchanged.

The Bluetec gets is name from the 2.1-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder under the its hood. Horsepower is modest at 195, but the engine pours out 369 pound-feet of torque, more than any V6 E-Class. Power is funneled through a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. In case you were wondering, the rear-drive E250 scoots from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, and 8.2 seconds with the optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Those figures might seem pokey for a luxury car until you weigh them against efficiency like this: 33 mpg in combined driving. The E250 really shines on the highway, where it achieves 42 mpg.

Aside from its drivetrain, the E250 is equipped along the lines of the rest of the E-Class. Every example gets an adaptive suspension, a sunroof, Bluetooth phone and audio, a driver alertness monitor, 14-way power front seats with driver memory, LED exterior lighting and an eight-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer. The interior is finished in your choice of wood trims and synthetic leather upholstery. Two grades of genuine leather are available.

The E250 is available in two basic trims, both of which cost the same:

Luxury: Wears a traditional Mercedes-Benz grille and a stand-up hood ornament, plus 17-inch alloy wheels.

Sport: Gets a two-bar grille, a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, white faced gauges and a different steering wheel.

Several option packages are available on all models. The Premium package furnishes a navigation system, heated front seats, digital audio storage, power-folding mirrors, a power rear sunshade and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system with satellite radio. Adaptive headlamps and automatic high-beam control come with the Lighting package. There's a Parking Assist package featuring a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and automated parallel parking assist. You might also go for the Keyless Go package, which provides keyless ignition and access, including a hands-free trunk lid opener.

The Lane Tracking package adds blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning. You can go a step further and get the Driver Assistance package, which adds with active steering assists, rear cross-traffic alert, collision-mitigation braking and adaptive cruise control.

Available as standalone options are ventilated front seats, a massaging driver seat, a rear entertainment system with dual screens, a panoramic sunroof and a steering wheel with wood trim or heat.

Choose your Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC »