The E-Class and its direct predecessors have been the best-selling model series in the history of the brand, setting the standard for mid-range luxury sedans and proving to be a stern rival for the BMW 5 Series through the decades. And with its latest update, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan strives to bridge the gap between combustion engine power and electric propulsion, with the latest models featuring mild-hybrid assistance and a boost feature that adds 20 horsepower for short bursts of time. But the futuristic tech isn't limited to what's under the hood. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan arrives with an interior Superscreen, allowing drivers to take selfies and attend virtual meetings. Mercedes calls this progress the "move towards digital luxury." It certainly ticks the boxes for both those terms.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
E350 4MATIC Sedan |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
TBC |
Produced alongside the GLC SUV at Sindelfingen, the release date for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is set for later this year.
The automaker hasn't given official pricing yet, but given the significant updates, it's safe to assume an increase over the outgoing model. The current base E350 is priced at $56,750 with RWD, while the 4Matic AWD version costs $59,250. For 2024, the price of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class should start around $61k. At the time of writing, there was no confirmation whether a base RWD model would be available. The top-spec E450 should have an MSRP of around $68k before options and destination fees in the USA.
As far as rivals go, the BMW 5 Series has long been in contention with the E-Class for executive sedan honors, and for 2023 costs a little less than the E-Class does. And with a plug-in hybrid model on offer priced around $57,600 to start, the 5 Series covered the eco-conscious bases, too. An all-new electric 5 Series is imminent, as is its gas-powered counterpart.
As an all-new model, the 2024 E-Class Sedan gets tweaks in all the right places to make it look fresher - we think it's got a great balance between sleek and aggressive, and we love the paint color on the model in the pictures below. While Mercedes-Benz hasn't clarified what exterior colors the E-Class will have for 2024, this one is rather lovely.
Up front, there are significant changes that see the radiator grille bridging the gap between old and new: it still resembles the grille of the outgoing E-Class, but a black panel connects it with the headlamps and has high-gloss black surrounds that resemble the EQ range's styling. All models come with high-performance LED headlights and Digital Light as an optional extra. The design looks fresh, and there are distinctive differences for day and night - and the LED DRLs personify an eyebrow rather elegantly. The grille itself has a three-dimensional design and can be optionally illuminated on all trims; two optical fibers behind the chrome strips will light the nose up, if buyers are keen to stand out a little more.
On the hood, there are powerdomes that hint at the sportiness the sedan strives to inject into the driving experience, and this is accentuated by two separate character lines along the sides of the car. The door handles are flush fitting for a curvaceous profile, and at the back, there are brand-new taillamps with a new contour and star motif. The taillights are connected in the middle to create a wide-set feeling. There's no abundance of chrome accents which we rather like; it's discreet and understated. All models come with a panoramic sunroof, which has been improved for less noise and reduced draughts.
Core dimensions for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class include a length of 194 inches, a width of 75 inches, and a height of 58 inches. These measurements are slightly different from the outgoing model, but the wheelbase is almost an inch longer at 116 inches.
Curb weights for the 2023 lineup range from 3,781 pounds to 4,222 lbs for the heftiest trim with AWD. New models will likely start closer to 4,000 lbs to start with considering the added equipment.
The 2024 E-Class engine lineup remains the same, comprised of the four-cylinder and six-cylinder powertrains with mild-hybrid assistance in the 350 and 450 designations, respectively. A 48-volt ISG motor is equipped to assist in cruising, recovering energy to aid efficiency, or providing additional boost. It also makes for smoother stop/go functions and a rapid engine start.
The E350's 255-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four carries over to 2024, but there's more torque on tap at 295 lb-ft (up from 273 lb-ft). Besides the 20-hp boost from the electric motor, it also adds 148 lb-ft of torque. On the E450, the 3.0-liter inline-six offers improved specs this year at 375 hp and 369 lb-ft. Both models will have a top speed limited to 130 mph, but we should see slight improvements in 0-60 mph times, despite being a little heavier in weight. The standard 9G automatic transmission does duty, although it's said to provide more efficient shifts and improve fuel economy. And the standard 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is enhanced, too.
The E-Class lineup comes with a steel spring suspension setup with selective damping as standard, which promotes agility and control, but the available Technology Package will equip air suspension with continuously adjustable damping and rear-axle steering. This will make the E-Class more nimble and ensure it remains stable over any road surface. Level control is also added as standard when you tick this box, which adjusts ground clearance where needed.
Gas mileage figures for the 2024 Mercedes E-Class Sedan haven't been made public yet, but it's likely to balance out to similar figures for the outgoing model; while the powertrain has been optimized for efficiency, the car is likely to be heavier, and it makes a bit more power. We expect the E-Class to manage around 21/30/24 mpg with the four-cylinder engine and around 23/31/26 mpg with the six-cylinder.
Range will likely vary from around 415 miles to 550 miles, depending on the model and whether or not the gas tank size has been altered. Current E350 models have a smaller 17.4-gallon tank, while E450s get a 21.1-gallon fuel tank capacity.
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is more futuristic than ever, mostly due to the brand one-upping its Hyperscreen setup with the new Superscreen. This includes an optional passenger screen that extends from their side of the dash all the way through to the center; the driver gets a separate high-resolution instrument cluster. The optional front passenger screen cannot be seen by the driver, so it won't distract them - and it's triggered by a sensor in the front passenger seat which leaves it as a decorative display if there's no one up front. It displays multimedia functions and will allow the passenger to stream content from a variety of popular apps, including TikTok. An optional extra is the selfie camera and video option that turns your MBUX setup into a meeting room where you can participate in Zoom calls or take selfies or videos. This is only enabled with the car is stationary, however.
As much real estate as there is in terms of screens and display, the MBUX system can be accessed by voice assistance, as before, but for the new year, it can be activated without requiring the 'Hey, Mercedes' prompt, thanks to the Just Talk function. We've yet to see if this works smoothly, though.
Active Ambient Lighting is an optional extra in the cabin that comes with sound visualization to make the entertainment experience inside the E-Class even more immersive. This feature allows ambient light shows to be matched to the rhythm and beat of the sound playing. And speaking of sound, a 4D Burmester sound system is standard with Dolby Atmos, but you can upgrade to a premium 21-speaker unit if you want even more. The MBUX Entertainment package is also standard across the E-Class range, and includes various Mercedes me connect features.
The overall impression in the E-Class cabin is one of space and forward-thinking technology. With a longer wheelbase for 2024, there's more space for passengers: 0.2 inches more headroom for the driver, 0.4 inches more knee room for rear-seat passengers, and 0.6 inches more legroom for those at the back. In fact, elbow room in the E-Class now rivals what you get in the luxurious S-Class. Occupants will be exposed to the finest materials, with the standard leather upholstery featuring elaborate fluting to create a plusher appeal. The optional Nappa leather is quilted and perforated, as is expected. To further enhance the premium feel of the cabin, the brand's Energizing Comfort specification is made standard, featuring revised programs for sound, lighting, and massage functions that enhance the experience for occupants.
Mercedes-Benz says that interior colors for the E-Class Sedan include Light Beige with Space Grey, a classy Pearl effect, and cinnamon-colored Tonka Brown, to name a few. Interior accents will be a fine-grain finish as standard, with an optional model-exclusive new Dark Ash Open-Pore trim, which is backlit by the Mercedes-Benz pattern. And for those who want a touch of S-Class class, the Manufaktur Piano Lacquer Flowing Lines trim will be made available here.
Added to the slew of features for the new model year (which includes attention assist, active parking assist, evasive assist, and lane keeping, to name just a few), the new E-Class makes use of routines and AI to learn the ideal circumstances you prefer at certain times. Buyers can use either pre-existing templates for this or create their own routines. For example, upon start-up, a specific cabin temperature can be selected and paired to a set ambient lighting color, which the vehicle will default to at start-up occasions.
As for trunk and cargo space in the new Merc E-Class, the center console in the cabin merges with the lower dash and gets a stowage compartment with a lid and cupholders that are easy to access. Trunk capacity maxes out at 19 cubic feet, according to the automaker, which is very spacious for a sedan.
The most popular competitors of 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan: