2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Performance

German executive sedans are expected to offer above-average performance, especially if you live in Germany, where some highways have no speed limits. Here in the USA, we have stricter speed limits, but we still appreciate a good shove into the seat. The E-Class's performance ranges from mild to impressive, but it's all relative to what you're used to. The lowly E350, for instance, didn't blow us away with its straight-line performance, but it will most certainly be enough for the relaxed daily driver whose only plan is to cruise suburban streets and jump on the highway every so often. The rear-wheel-drive E350 will complete the 0-60 mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, dropping down to six seconds flat for the all-wheel-drive version. That's slightly quicker than a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 but not as quick as the base BMW 530i which will hit 60 in 5.9 seconds. If you're after a more gutsy driving experience but don't want to spend AMG levels of money, the E450 4MATIC is the one to go for. This 362-hp exec will bolt to sixty in only 4.9 seconds and accompany it with a smooth inline-six soundtrack from its engine. All variants have a limited top speed of 130 mph.

There are two engine options on the table; a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six motor delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The E350 is available in both RWD and AWD configurations, while the E450 is only offered in AWD guise. Power in all three instances is sent to the wheels via a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission that is sharp and responsive when needed but likes living in full auto mode, where it's deliciously smooth. The 2.0L engine can feel slightly underpowered when the car is fully loaded and attempting to overtake on the highway, but there's ample power to get the job done in most situations. The 3.0L motor in the E450 is the one to go for if you want brisk performance at all times. Not only does the E450 deliver strong acceleration, but the inline-six engine is silky smooth and refined. In this model, an EQ Boost system provides an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft immediately, further boosting responsiveness but also ensuring power delivery that's as smooth as the six-pot sounds. Either way, you look at it, the Mercedes E-Class is no slowpoke.

With its small-capacity turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the E350 will manage 23/31/26 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. The 4MATIC AWD version is slightly less efficient on the highway with figures of 21/30/24 mpg. With a fuel tank capacity of 17.4 gallons, the E350 has an estimated range of 452 miles. Shockingly, the more powerful E450 4Matic is even more efficient than the E350 4Matic. The EPA claims that this version, which benefits from a 48-volt hybrid system, will manage 23/31/26 mpg. With a 21.1-gallon fuel tank, the E450 should see a maximum range of 549 miles in mixed driving conditions. Although its gas mileage figures are quite good, the E-Class isn't the most efficient vehicle in this segment. For instance, the BMW 530i returns a combined 28 mpg in RWD guise and the powerful 540i RWD manages 27 mpg combined.