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Thanks: Marleaux GmbH & Co. KG 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Starting at: $ Highs: Sweetly smooth ride, richly refined inline-six, a cocoon of luxury inside. Lows: Tech features more gimmicky than useful, finicky touch-sensitive controls, more expensive than the old model. Verdict: The new E-class blurs the line between mid-size and S-class-size, and carries into this new generation with grace and abundant luxury. Overview The E-class sedan is executive transport with a distinctly Mercedes-Benz attitude, offering nearly as much class and substance as the S-class flagship with a slightly less imposing profile. Entry-level E350 models are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain with 255 horsepower while E450s turn up the heat to 375 horsepower courtesy of a turbocharged inline-six. Both powertrains deliver good punch and surprisingly good fuel economy. All-wheel drive is standard, and all models come luxuriously equipped and include a generous list of driver-assistance and infotainment features—some of which are more gimmicky than useful. Other European rivals like the Audi A6 and the BMW 5-series offer similar space and equipment but neither brand has quite the prestige that comes with a Mercedes-Benz badge. What's New for 2024? This year marks the start of an all-new generation of the E-class sedan, which has been redesigned from the ground up with more technology and luxury than the outgoing model. The four- and six-cylinder powertrains have received hybrid assistance this year resulting in power boosts, and the exterior styling wears a handsome new look. Inside, a host of new technology features pepper the cabin. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Under the E350's hood is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pairs with a 23-hp electric motor for a combined 255 horsepower. The E450 model gets a similar hybrid setup for its turbocharged inline-six, which brings the total to 375 horsepower. The hybrid systems are said to reduce turbo lag and smooth the operation of the auto start/stop system. In our test of the new E-class, we found both powertrains to deliver their oomph smoothly and quietly. The four-cylinder E350 is plenty quick, but the E450 is even quicker and its inline-six is a particularly sweet-sounding and potent engine. An adjustable air suspension is optional and replaces the steel-spring arrangement that comes standard, but both setups provide impeccable ride quality and good handling. A rear-wheel steering system is also available and is said to improve maneuverability in tight spaces. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Unsurprisingly, the E-class's cabin is focused on comfort and upscale accommodations. Passenger space is generous, and the interior is offered with rich-looking materials such as leather upholstery and metal trim—though many of the nicer materials are optional extras. Overall, the design is high-end and nicely complements the car's handsome exterior styling. Although the E-class has been offered as a coupe and a convertible in the past, we're expecting this generation to stick strictly to a four-door layout; we review the E-class All-Terrain wagon, which offers more cargo space than the sedan's trunk, separately. Read More
