The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive cars manufactured and marketed by the German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz since 1993. The only modification to the 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup is a slight increase in standard equipment since non-Manufaktur metallic color options are now factored into the base pricing.
History of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
First Generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124; 1993–1995)
Mercedes-Benz updated the W124 in 1993 for the 1994 model year, and that's when the "E-Class" moniker debuted. More than 2.7 million of these cars were manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1984 and 1997, making it one of the company's best-selling models ever. The German car manufacturer opted to give the E-Class one last facelift in 1993, improving the interior and exterior for the model's final years on the market. Even though the vehicle was criticized for overengineering, they improved the drivetrains. Moreover, most of the cars received regular engineering modifications that, in time, were adopted by the whole industry. Mercedes-Benz took its course while the rest of the industry followed the latest bio-design fad blindly. So, the 1993 E-Class changed but still had the same rectangular headlamps as the 1985 model. The inside was of high-quality construction. The console might have appeared archaic, but the car's leather seats, wood accents, and chrome metalwork were unlike anything else on the market. They came standard with a manual or an automatic gearbox, depending on the trim level. The E-Class is notable for being the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature an all-wheel drive system, dubbed 4Matic.
Second Generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210; 1995–2003)
With the release of the W210 E-Class in 1995, Mercedes-Benz established a strong footing in the premium segment of the mid-size car market. The new lineup of engines was accompanied by a redesigned front end that featured quad headlights—which would become a class trademark for the mid-size sedan. However, it is well-known that several complaints about the automobiles delivered between 1995 and Y2K were lodged.
Facelift
German automaker Mercedes-Benz released the final refresh for the second-generation E-Class, which had been on the market for a while and was showing its age. The second generation E-Class introduced four years after the first, underwent a facelift that focused on improving the vehicle's comfort and luxury. Mercedes revised all aspects of the 1999 model to make it compatible with the Euro 3 emission regulations. Customers were unhappy when Mercedes-Benz opted to redesign the front fascia by replacing the single rectangular headlamp with two round ones. The interior's leather and the wood trim combination was exquisite, creating a luxurious space for its privileged occupants to relax. All pre-Euro 5 engines were removed or updated to meet the new regulations. On top of that, the upgraded five-speed automatic transmission relaxed the ride with its silky-smooth gear shifts.
Third Generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211; 2002–2009)
The 2002 W211 E-Class, introduced in 2002, represented yet another generational shift from its predecessor. In 2005, a niche model based on the W211 platform, the C219 CLS-Class 4-door coupe, was developed to attract a younger customer base. The German automaker's W211 E-Class was an attempt to break new ground. They made it sturdy and offered a variety of power plants to choose from. The 2002 E-Class featured a bevy of engine options under the hood. Six were gasoline, nine were diesel, and one ran on compressed natural gas. Fleet vehicles are the latter's focus, built for that purpose. A 5-speed manual or 6-speed manual gearbox was standard, with an optional 5-speed automatic.
Facelift
The W211 E-Class received a mild facelift in June 2006 for the 2007 model year, which included removing Sensotronic and adding Pre-Safe as standard features to solve quality and technical concerns with earlier vehicles. The car's front fascia is particularly eye-catching. Its double-round headlights made it stand out from other vehicles on the road and were widely hailed as a design feature that added to its sleek aesthetic. Customers had grumbled about the flush-fitting buttons on the previous model, so the company inserted new ones on the new steering wheel. The German automaker put a variety of turbo-diesel and gasoline engines under the hood, mated to a six-speed manual and, in some instances, a five- or seven-speed automatic transmission.
Fourth Generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212, C207/A207; 2009–2016)
In 2009, as the global financial crisis began to abate and manufacturers began to see the first signs of an uptick in sales, Mercedes-Benz released a new generation of the E-Class. It needs to be clarified whether the German car manufacturer waited for the crisis to pass before acting. We know that the W211 it replaced was produced for over seven years. It debuted with three distinct trim levels and got a refresh four years later. For many buyers, the unconventional design came as a rude awakening. Two preceding generations of this type had double-round headlights, but this one has more square ones. The infotainment system's screen was integrated into an enlarged dashboard section above the center stack. The W212's engine options were gas and diesel motors mated to a five-speed or seven-speed automatic transmission. The manufacturer provided the 4Matic variant (all-wheel drive) for specific engines, even though most cars came standard with a rear-wheel drive system.
Refresh
The 2013 E-Class is a major upgrade over previous models because of its modern look, powerful engines, and excellent handling. The car's front end is where you'll immediately notice the new design. The "four-eye" appearance of the headlights has been preserved in the new design, but all of the individual lenses have been combined into a single unit. The new headlight design incorporates LED technology as standard equipment. The interior has been upgraded with new, more comfortable seats, a more advanced instrument cluster, a more spacious and user-friendly center console, and luxurious leather, wood, and metal accents.
Fifth Generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213; 2016–Present)
At the 2016 North American International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz introduced the fifth version of its E-Class. Taking inspiration from both the larger W222 S-Class and the more compact W205 C-Class, the next-generation E-Class merges the best of both worlds. The new E-Class is more rounded and fluid than the W212 model, which has a flatter profile and sharper corners. Differentiating itself from the prior design aesthetic was immediately apparent. A four-cylinder gasoline unit (in the E 200) and a brand-new four-cylinder diesel (in the E 220 d) are available on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Facelift
New for the E450 model year is a mild-hybrid 6-cylinder inline engine and revised front and back fascias for the 2021 model year. In the United States, the regular estate version has been replaced with the All-Terrain variant. Mercedes-Benz introduced newly revised coupé and cabriolet models from Mercedes-AMG on May 27, 2020. It's important to note that the E 53 4MATIC+ is still the only option for either the coupé or cabriolet body style. Around the middle of 2022, Mercedes-AMG unveiled the E63 S 4Matic+ Final Edition. 999 units will be produced as a parting farewell for the V8s.
Price
For the 2023 model year, Mercedes-Benz retails the 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with an original starting MSRP of $57,800 for the base E350 Sedan variant, rising to $77,950 for the top-of-the-line E450 Cabriolet variant.
- E350 Sedan - $57,800
- E450 Sedan - $66,600
- E450 coupe - $70,800
- E450 Cabriolet - $77,950
Features of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Exterior Features
Last year, Mercedes-Benz updated its exterior appearance to make it look even more refined. The changes included a new front fascia and more streamlined taillights for the back. Compared to its attractive BMW counterparts, it is the most subtle of the German four-door luxury models. All trims have a power tilt/slide glass sunroof, 18-inch dual five-spoke alloy wheels, and exterior LED illumination. A panoramic roof and black 19-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels are available as add-ons.
Interior Features
Inside, the E-Class has some of the most luxurious seats in the market, in addition to brushed aluminum and exquisite wood. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, driver and front passenger seat memory settings, and heated front seats are standard on every model. A panoramic sunroof, massaging front seats, ventilated front seat cushions, and a head-up display are all desirable add-ons. Although the Benz's trunk is smaller than its competitors, the car's interior provides more storage options than its rivals. The trunk capacity of the cabriolet type is ten cubic feet, the same as that of the coupe; however, when the top is down, the trunk capacity decreases significantly.
Standard Features
- Front Power Seats
- Lumbar Control
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- 64-Color Led Ambient Lighting
- Heated Front Seats
- Keyless-Go
- Keyless Entry
- Illuminated Entry System
- Homelink Garage Door Opener
- 12.3-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- Power Sunroof (optional panoramic)
- Adaptive Automatic High-Beam Assist
- Active Brake Assist
- Attention Assist
- Blind-Spot Assist
- Cross-Wind Assist
- Rain-Sensing Window Wipers
Infotainment Features
- 12.3-Inch Touchscreen Multimedia Display
- Touchpad
- Voice Activation
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth
- MBUX System
- "Hey, Mercedes"
- Navigation
- Apple Carplay
- Android Auto
- HD Radio
- Two USB-C Ports
- Front Bass Sound System
- Subwoofer
Optional Features
- Active Steering Assist
- Active Lane-Keeping Assist
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- Wireless Phone Charging
- In-Car WI-FI
- SiriusXM
- Augmented Video
- 13-Speaker, 590-Watt Burmester Sound System
Specs and Performance of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
A turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.0L turbo inline-6 engine with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, are both available. You may have the E350 in either rear- or all-wheel-drive (RWD/AWD), whereas the E450 is available in only the latter. In all three cases, power is delivered to the wheels via a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic gearbox, which is quick to respond when prompted but is most at ease when left to its own devices. If you reside in Germany, where some motorways have no speed restrictions, you may expect your executive car to have above-average performance. The 2022 E-Class's acceleration can feel either modest or outstanding, depending on your standards. Though the base E350's acceleration didn't impress us, it should be more than adequate for the casual commuter whose daily routine consists of meandering around the suburbs and occasionally hitting the interstate. The standard E350 with rear-wheel drive can go from 0–60 mph in 6.1 seconds, but the AWD model needs only 6.0 seconds. The E450 4MATIC is the way to go if you're looking for a more daring driving experience without breaking the bank. With its new engine, this executive can go from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds while listening to the mellow inline-six soundtrack. The maximum speed for any model is capped at 130 mph (209 kph). Dimension-wise, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan short wheelbase measures 4,923 mm (193.8 in) long, 1,852 mm (72.9 in) wide, and 1,468 mm (57.8 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,939 mm (115.7 in) and has a curb weight of 3,538–4,515 lbs (1,605–2,048 kg).
Release Date
Mercedes-Benz has been producing the Mercedes-Benz E-Class since 1993, and it is now in its fifth generation. Because Mercedes has only just modified the existing E-Class, the debut of the next-generation model is not anticipated until approximately 2023 at the earliest.