AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9.0/10
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Safety8.0/10
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PRACTICALITY8.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS6.0/10
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FEATURES9.0/10
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POWER9.0/10
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COMFORT9.0/10
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DRIVING FEEL8.0/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8.0/10
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VALUE8.0/10
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a quintessential executive sedan that has become a fixture on our roads.
Now in its sixth generation, this benchmark-setting luxury four-door has been overhauled to be even better at its main mission: blending luxury and smoothness in a swanky package.
Styling: 9/10
The new look of the 2024 Mercedes E-Class projects a posh but understated elegance inside and out. From the outside, the E 450 version tested here slides through traffic looking dignified with a clean, traditional three-box design that should age gracefully. For a bit more impact, drivers can opt for an illuminated grille or a number of flashy wheel designs or new paint colours.
The interior is the highlight, however, with ambient lighting doing the most to elevate the cabin and make it feel special. There’s a total of 64 colours or 10 preset themes to choose from, and the results are very cool. Not just there to look pretty, the lights can also communicate to occupants, flashing red to warn them of possible danger before opening their doors or if a call is coming in. Otherwise, the leather is beautifully quilted, the trim materials used are all top-tier, every surface is covered in something luxurious, the build quality is immaculate, and no detail has gone untouched.
Power: 9/10
The E 450 is powered by a 3.0L turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine augmented by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, a combination that enables a smoothness even Prince might be jealous of. Total system output is 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty of passing power and enough force to hit 100 km/h from a standstill in a claimed 4.5 seconds.
All-wheel drive is standard, and all E-Class models get a nine-speed automatic transmission that fires off well-timed shifts quickly and seamlessly.
Driving Feel: 8/10
While the E 450 has enough power to embarrass some sports cars, this sedan is at its best when driven in a more relaxed manner. The E-Class is capable of carving a corner, but a lack of steering feel and its bougie personality don’t exactly tempt you to push it too hard, and that’s totally OK – upgrade to an AMG model if you want your E-Class to be more exciting.
Even without the optional air suspension, adaptive dampers, or rear-wheel steering, the ride is composed, confident, smooth, and manageable in all driving modes and in nearly all driving situations.
Features: 9/10
The E 450 comes well equipped as standard with a heated steering wheel and heated armrests, heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, a sunroof, a surround-view parking camera, hands-free access, enough USB-C charging ports for every occupant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more.
But this being Mercedes, you’ll have to pay extra for a lot of the desirable highlights. The $4,500 Pinnacle trim is worth the price premium and adds a head-up display, an illuminated grille, adaptive high beams, heat- and noise-insulated glass, an upgraded audio system, and more.
While the so-called “MBUX Superscreen” looks impressive initially, the novelty wears off quickly. I would opt out and save $1,600 because the additional passenger screen and all the shiny surface it’s housed under collects dust and fingerprints embarrassingly quickly. The glare when the sun hits it just right is also unbearable, and the passenger screen itself is a gimmick that doesn’t prove very useful. This package also comes with cheap-looking piano black trim and an unsettling interior camera used for driver monitoring as well as selfies and videos that can’t be permanently disabled.
Safety: 8/10
Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, surround-view parking cameras, and automatic emergency braking. I would like to see more standard safety features instead of having to upgrade to the $2,150 Intelligent Drive package that adds lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, active steering assist, and speed limit assist, but that isn’t a huge price to pay in the context of this car’s total cost. The plus side is that all the safety tech works smoothly.
Practicality: 8/10
The E-Class is surprisingly practical with many options for small item storage, large door pockets, retractable cup holders, and a large 540-L trunk with a low load height. The 40/20/40 split rear seats fold down via a release in the trunk or on the seats themselves to make room for long cargo, but they must be replaced manually. The trunk opens via a button on the keyfob, a switch on the driver’s door, or hands-free via a kick under the bumper.
Comfort: 9/10
An E-Class is nothing if it’s not comfortable, and the E 450 shines in this department with highly adjustable seats that are comfortable and supportive. Rear-seat legroom can be a bit tight if someone tall is sitting in front, but headroom is decent. A $2,600 package adds heated rear seats and massaging front seats.
User-Friendliness: 6/10
Even if you’re used to Mercedes’s user interface, the new E-Class might require a learning curve, and if you have never used it before, prepare for some frustration and digging through the user manual. Even completing a simple task can be a challenge and I find the entire setup a bit overwhelming. With almost no physical buttons or switches, drivers must rely on the touchscreen and haptic controls for everything from media to climate, which can be distracting while driving.
While some helpful shortcuts on the touchscreen are always visible, some of the menus aren’t entirely intuitive to navigate. As an example, I couldn’t find the option to turn on the head-up display. In a last-ditch attempt, I tried the voice command, “Hey Mercedes, turn on the head-up display,” and to my surprise, it actually worked. The voice commands are better than most, but I still prefer not to talk to cars, especially since it’s typically faster and easier to press a button, and the voice the car uses to respond is unsettling and robotic.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
The E 450 is a mild hybrid – that doesn’t mean significant fuel savings, but it does allow the ‘Benz to operate more efficiently. The mild-hybrid system allows for a smoother ignition stop-start operation and gas-free coasting, which increases efficiency, and it allows the climate control to continue running even if the engine is stopped while you’re waiting at a stoplight. It also gives the engine a power boost without dramatically impacting fuel economy.
The E 450 is officially rated to burn 10.8 L/100 km of premium fuel in the city, 7.7 on the highway, and 9.4 combined. After about 375 km of mixed driving, the indicated average was a respectable 9.7 L/100 km.
Value: 8/10
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic starts at $83,900 – comparable to a similarly equipped BMW 5 Series or Audi A6. The version tested here had $13,450 in options, pushing the as-tested price into six-figure territory at $101,445, which includes destination. The tech, brand prestige, flawless build quality, and smooth powertrain make the E 450 feel worth the asking price.
The Verdict
Despite its sometimes frustrating user interface, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450 is everything a luxury executive sedan should be. By blending a silky powertrain with a gorgeous interior and all the luxury hallmarks, the E-Class remains one of the best executive sedans on the market.
| Engine Displacement | 3.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 375 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 369 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 10.8 / 7.7 / 9.4 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 540 L |
| Model Tested | 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic |
| Base Price | $83,900 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $3,995 |
| Price as Tested | $101,445 |
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Optional Equipment
$13,450 — Pinnacle Trim, $4,500; Multicontour Seating package, $2,600; Intelligent Drive package, $2,150; MBUX Superscreen package, $1,600; 21-Inch AMG light-alloy wheels, $1,430; Sun Protection package; $900; Dash cam, $270
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