Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The current Mercedes-Benz E-Class arrived for the 2024 model year as the sixth generation of the brand's mid-size luxury sedan. It splits the difference between the compact C-Class and flagship S-Class, pairing a refined turbocharged four-cylinder lineup with the largest cabin screens Mercedes has ever fitted to an E-Class. For US buyers, it remains the default choice when you want quiet long-distance comfort, genuine prestige, and technology without stepping up to six figures.

On the road the E-Class plays to its traditional strengths. The base E 350 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that adds a brief electric boost and smooths out stop-start driving. It never feels fast in the sporting sense, but it is effortlessly quick enough, hushed at highway speeds, and impressively economical for a car this size. The optional E 450 adds a turbocharged inline-six that transforms the character, delivering creamy, near-silent acceleration that better matches the badge.

Ride comfort is the real headline. With the available air suspension, the E-Class glides over broken pavement in a way few rivals manage, and the cabin stays library-quiet. Standard steel-spring cars are firmer but still composed. The trade-off is handling that prioritizes serenity over engagement; the optional rear-wheel steering sharpens low-speed maneuvering and tightens the turning circle, but keen drivers will still find the BMW 5 Series more involving.

Inside, the E-Class makes its biggest leap. The standard 12.3-inch driver display and 14.4-inch central touchscreen are crisp and responsive, and an available passenger screen and dashboard-spanning Superscreen lift the cabin to near-S-Class theater. Material quality is excellent, the seats are superb on long trips, and rear legroom is generous. The downside is that Mercedes has buried too many functions in menus, and the heavy reliance on touch controls and haptic steering-wheel pads can frustrate.

Value is where shoppers should think carefully. The E-Class is well-equipped at its base price, but the features that make it special—air suspension, the six-cylinder engine, the extra screens, driver-assist packages—pile up quickly, and a loaded car crosses into S-Class money. Reliability and dealer costs also run higher than mainstream brands, so factor in long-term ownership before signing.