Video: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550

And it packs a number of technology features designed to keep you warm, even when it's cold outside and you have the top down. One of the great things about the E-Class Cabriolet is that it keeps the sleek profile of the E Coupe, which debuted last year. It's got a nice roof line and it doesn't get too large in the rear here, which is something we've seen with some convertibles, has a nice sleek look the whole way through. The top is fully powered and it has three layers, so it keeps it quiet inside. It takes about 25 seconds to go down and 25 seconds to go back up and you can also operate it at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. One of the convertibles interesting features is the Aircap system, which is designed to prevent turbulence from disturbing you or your passengers. It features this wing like element on the top of the windshield and also a mesh screen that can lower or raise behind the rear seats. Now with the system in place, I didn't notice a big difference in the front with it up or down, but backseat passengers experienced less wind rush when it was up, so that's a benefit there. In addition, the convertible can also have the Airscarf system, which can blow hot air around your neck to keep you warm when it's cooler outside. The E Cabriolet's trunk measures 11.5 cubic feet, which is pretty large for a convertible. But if you want to be able to use the soft top, you have to lower this partition, and that takes up a lot of your trunk height. I actually had a small suitcase I tried to fit under this and it wouldn't fit because of how much this intrudes into the cargo area. Now you can throw luggage into the backseat, cause it's a four seat convertible, but who wants to mess up the inside of their nice convertible doing that? The V8 powered E550 Cabriolet starts at around $65,000, but as tested, the price of ours was $75,000. And now before you have a heart attack at that price, just know that competitors like the BMW 650i convertible and Jaguar XK convertible both started around $85,000 or $88,000. So against those models, this looks like a value buy. (upbeat music) For more car related news, go to cars.com or our blog KickingTires.net.