The Mercedes E-Class has always stood the test of time. Comfortable cruiser, sporty demeanor, and tech-forward, the E-Class has always set the bar higher. With the redesigned 2024 E-class, their focus has shifted slightly. Let’s take a look…
Under the hood, things remain more or less the same as the last generation, except that all models are now mild hybrids with a small battery to help reduce turbo lag and smooth the start/stop function. With the E-class being about luxury, a smooth start/stop is one of the best places to start. E350s come with a 2 liter 4 cylinder making 255 horsepower while E450s get the 3 liter inline-6 making 375 horsepower. Both engines and the future AMG models are paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Optional adjustable air suspension and available rear-wheel steering should allow for better in-town maneuverability and high-speed confidence.
On the outside, the E-class retains its traditional posture, with new headlights that differentiate it from the rest of the Mercedes lineup. The new taillights are also striking since they include two; three-pointed stars on each rear corner.
On the inside of the new E-class is where this car takes a turn from its S and C-class siblings. Rather than implementing Mercedes’ new portrait-style touchscreen, the E-class sports a more traditional interior layout with a horizontal touch screen embedded into the dash. And yes, there is an optional screen for your passengers if they want to play a game or learn more about the car they’re being driven in.
Vying for a younger audience and to show Tesla they’re not the only ones capable, the new E-class infotainment can support apps like TikTok, Angry Birds, and Zoom. There’s even a slightly creepy “selfie” camera on top of the dashboard. In addition to the more conventional layout, drivers are treated to Mercedes’ excellent digital driver display and somewhat annoying tactile steering-wheel controls.
Like E-classes of the past, the rest of the interior is appointed with rich materials that look and feel solid. Close the door with a solid thunk, and the interior will keep the outside noise out so you can relax to the epic ambient lighting and optional Burmester surround sound speaker system. Although the new E-class comes standard with driver assist features like automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, other safety options, such as adaptive cruise control with lane assist, cost extra. Lastly, although the prior E-class came in four-door, two-door coupe and convertible, and wagon body styles, we expect Mercedes to offer only the four-door and wagons, as the others are being replaced by the upcoming CLE model.
While the E-class never started out cheap, this new model won’t be any more affordable than prior models. With a luxurious and tech-packed interior, expect pricing to start around $60,000, and with a few options, you can quickly put it into S-class territory. As always, we look forward to the AMG variants!
