When we tried the TouchShift automanual feature, we found that at times, the shift didn't take quickly enough to keep us out of the rev limiter. The interior bespeaks a subtle, esoteric quality. The black, burled wood in the dash looks like smudged fingerprints on glossy black plastic, which detracts from an upscale image. The stereo system, as usual, raised the usual ire about its complexity, although we noted that it seemed less Byzantine to control than in other Mercedes. The climate control could be simpler, and the switches exude a cheap tactile feel.
Rear accommodations can be pleasant or unpleasant, depending on the attitude of the passengers.
Fun ones will love the wind in their hair and appreciate the level armrest that doubles as storage space. More dour ones will criticize having to scream over the strong gusts, complain that their coifs are becoming unraveled, and note the lack of cupholders and foot-room. Rid yourself of these detractors by installing the wind blocker. The unwieldy, heavy component requires two people to install with any semblance of ease, and once mounted, the back seat is useless. For this reason, we were unable to test out its efficacy, for the car was either driven by a sole driver or filled with hangers-on.