After four years on the market, the third generation of the E-Class was refreshed with a well-deserved facelift and around 2000 components changed to the car.
The facelifted E-Class Estate (Station-wagon), was released at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. One of the first big surprises for the customers was that the base prices for the four and six-cylinder units remained the same as before, even though the base diesel version gained 20 more horsepower.

On the outside, the E-Class received a new bumper and grille that featured a distinctive sweepback. Mercedes-Benz enhanced the details of the twin-headlamp fascia, with a transparent upper side for a better lightning pattern. In the back, the S211 E-Class station-wagon receiver LEDs for sidelights. A new set of side sills and rear bumper was installed for the Avantgarde trim level.

On the inside, there was a new steering wheel, and the climate control system Thermatic was fitted as standard on all the range. New materials and colors were added to the options list.

The most important modifications were made under the skin. For the brakes, the facelift introduced the Adaptive brake system instead of the Sensotronic Brake Control. For the engines, the customers had a choice of thirteen versions. Six of them were new or further developed. The new top-of-the-line engine was the 5.5-liter V8 in the E 500.