2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Review: The Middleweight Knockout

Mercedes-Benz' middle-weight boxer is in the best shape its ever been, and it's ready to take the fight to its arch-rivals, the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. The fifth generation E-Class V6 model gains more power for 2019 - 33 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque to be exact - and both the 2.0-liter and V6 models deliver brisk performance. Out on the road, the traditionally dull midsize sedan has tightened things up considerably, and might just be the best driving German we've tested in this class. Fuel economy is comparable with rivals, and inside, the E-Class feels special; it is well put together, and the overall design is more emotive than what you'll find in the more tech-focused Audi, or cool and collected BMW. Safety features on the 2019 car include standard emergency brake assist and driver attention assistance, and Mercedes-Benz will back new owners with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. Starting at $53,500, the E-Class offers an attractive package, and has managed to outclass its competitors. For now.

What's the Price of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan?

Competition is rife in this class, so the pricing and standard features will play a big role in the purchasing decision. The 2019 E-Class starts off with an MSRP of $53,500 for the entry-level E 300 RWD Sedan, climbing to $56,000 for the 4MATIC AWD version. The new E 450 4MATIC will cost you $59,950, excluding destination fees. The Audi A6, by comparison, starts off at $54,100, slightly more expensive than the E-Class, while a 3.0T Prestige quattro AWD will set you back $58,900. The BMW 5 Series starts with an MSRP of $53,400, $100 less than the E-Class, and climbs in price to $61,250 for a mid-range 540i xDrive Sedan, while the AMG-rivalling M550i xDrive Sedan will set you back $74,450. Expect the E-Class to reach well into the $90k mark when you get a bit carried away with the optional extras.

2019 E-Class Sedan Exterior

Dimensions

2019 E-Class Sedan Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The E-Class has never been thought of as a fun, or driver-focussed car, but rather as a composed and comfortable thing that does what is asked of it - but nothing more. The 2019 car puts that stereotype to bed. What you get with the latest car is a composed ride that keeps things in check around tight and fast corners without breaking a sweat. The steering feels well-balanced in comfort mode, which we found to be the best bet for in town and fast country road or highway driving, while the sport mode made the steering artificially heavy and didn't add to the road feel. Sport Plus mode should be reserved for emergencies such as escaping Mexican drug cartel ambushes. For years the E-Class has lagged behind the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 in terms of its dynamic capability, but not so anymore: it might even be better.

2019 E-Class Sedan Interior

2019 E-Class Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan A Good car?

The market for midsize premium luxury sedans has been steadily shrinking with most people favoring large luxury SUVs - but those who appreciate the combination of space, pace, and luxury offered by these types of cars will surely come in contact with an E-Class while on the hunt for a new car. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers slight updates for 2019, including a redesigned steering wheel, and a power boost from the turbocharged V6 engine, making an already accomplished package even more appealing. Power from both the four-cylinder and V6 is impressive, especially when combined with seamless shifts from the 9G-TRONIC auto transmission. The E-Class also drives beautifully, and for once feels better balanced and more capable than both the A6 and 5 Series. Inside, the Mercedes offers a tasteful and emotive experience that is further enhanced by an impressive infotainment system. In terms of safety, the E-Class, sits at the top of the class, alongside its German associates the A6 and BMW 5 Series. Limited trunk space and an unimpressive warranty count against it, but these issues are a small price to pay for driving one of the best midsize sedans in recent history.

What Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Model Should I Buy?

The 2019 E-Class in any configuration is an amazingly capable car that balances its executive duties as a professional sedan for business types, while offering an entertaining driving experience, good levels of technology, and an excellent safety record. The list of standard equipment includes LED lighting, automatic climate control, emergency braking, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The fact that the E 300 and E 450 share most of the same basic features and are both eligible for the same optional packages means the purchasing decision will boil down to how much power you'd like behind your right foot. The 241-hp four-pot in the E 300 delivers good low to midrange punch and feels brisk around town and on the open road, but the biturbo V6 just gives you more, everywhere in the rev range, and turns the E-Class into a real stealth bomber. With a price difference of $6,450, we would stretch for the E 450 just because we loved the extra power - but if you only care about the luxury and comfort, the E 300 will work just as well.

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Comparisons

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan vs BMW 5 Series Sedan

The seventh-generation BMW 5 Series remains relatively unchanged for 2019, which means you still get one of the most capable midsize luxury sedans on the market. In base form, the 5 Series is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft and will return an impressive 24/34/27 mpg city/highway/combined. The E 450-rivaling 540i sedan is powered by a comparable 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, which is considerably less than the E-Class, but delivers a better 21/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined - and is quicker too. The 5 Series is a larger car overall and offers more interior space and significantly more trunk space. In terms of interior, both display fine German craftsmanship, but the Mercedes-Benz E-Class feels more emotive when compared to the cool and calculated space of the BMW. Around town, the Mercedes is arguably the more balanced car when driving hard, but both offer equally good driving experiences when driving civilly. The BMW matches the Merc in terms of safety and offers a better warranty. It's a tight one, but we'd go for the E-Class, just because of its warmer personality.

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan vs Audi A6

The Mercedes E-Class is on the back foot here; the 2019 Audi A6 has been completely redesigned for 2019 with a new infotainment system and drivetrain options. The base model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing fractionally more horsepower at 248 hp, with matching torque figures of 273 lb-ft, which gets the A6 24/32/27 mpg city/highway/combined, beating the Merc. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the 3.0T quattro delivers 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and sees the economy figure drop to 22/29/25 mpg. The A6 is sized similarly to the E-Class, but inside it offers superior passenger space and slightly more generous trunk space. As with the BMW, the A6 offers a well-balanced package that leans towards the cutting edge tech look and feel. On the road, the A6 feels more choppy, and in base form, doesn't impress as much in terms of power delivery. The A6 is just as safe, scoring a Top Safety Pick Plus from the IIHS, but offers a superior warranty. Get the A6 if you're into the futuristic look, or go for the Mercedes-Benz if you prefer some old-world charm with the performance to match.