2024 Mercedes-Benz E 300 evaluate

Mercedes-Benz is likely one of the world’s oldest automotive manufacturers, and the E-Class is one in every of its longest working nameplates.

Whereas the trendy E-Class as we all know it first debuted within the early Nineties, its lineage dates way back to the late Nineteen Forties. Mercedes-Benz says there have been 16 million models of its ‘mid-size’ sedan constructed since its inception eight many years in the past.

However the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class you see here’s a completely different beast in comparison with its W110- and W120-era ancestors from many years previous.

It’s now grown to over 4.9 metres lengthy, making it virtually as massive as a third-generation S-Class. As is the case with earlier iterations it additionally forges its personal design path, moderately than the mini-me impact between the C-Class and S-Class.

The Australian vary appears to be like very completely different in 2024. Gone are the diesels, the six-cylinder choices, and the plug-in hybrid – only a single mild-hybrid four-pot is obtainable at launch.

Whereas earlier iterations have supplied Property and All-Terrain wagon choices as properly, Mercedes-Benz Australia has elected to not supply them domestically regardless of them being accessible overseas – SUVs are apparently why.

With a tech-laden cabin, flagship design method in addition to a deal with consolation and luxuries, does the W124-generation E-Class ship on Benz’s promise of ‘The Greatest or Nothing’?

How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class value?

The brand new-gen E-Class Sedan vary has been pared again to only one variant – the E 300.

Mercedes-Benz Australia hasn’t closed the door on different variants becoming a member of the lineup, however there’s nothing confirmed in the meanwhile.

In abroad markets there are additionally E 200 and E 220d mild-hybrids; E 300e and E 400e plug-in hybrids with over 100km of EV vary; in addition to the selection of Sedan (Saloon), Property, and All-Terrain physique kinds.

We additionally anticipate high-performance AMG variations are coming down the monitor. Count on an AMG E 53 donning a 330kW/560Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six to start out with – given Mercedes has the AMG CLE 53 on the way in which.

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.

What’s the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like on the within?

Screens, screens and extra screens…

As normal there’s a 12.3-inch show for the motive force and one for the entrance passenger, and a 14.4-inch touchscreen built-in into the dashboard.

Mercedes-Benz calls the association the MBUX Superscreen, which differs from the EQE’s Hyperscreen as the motive force’s show within the E-Class isn’t recessed into the dashboard – it’s extra in step with the instrument clusters within the C-Class and S-Class.

It’s all working the newest Mercedes-Benz Person eXperience (MBUX) software program, which has a fair flatter menu construction referred to as “Zero Layer”. There’s loads happening, however the menu construction means the clearly-labelled buttons and sub-menus ought to take you to what you’re searching for.

The built-in clever voice assistant is an fascinating character, which claims to be taught as time goes on and might management every part from infotainment to the local weather management and sunroof. You can too play video games or ask it basic data questions which is kinda enjoyable.

It’s all in any other case fairly acquainted for those who’ve ever sat in a present Benz, with crisp graphics, sharp responses, and a distinctly Mercedes appear and feel.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto characteristic as normal, and take up a wholesome portion of that 14.4-inch touchscreen. The native system works fairly properly as I discussed earlier, and has related companies, augmented actuality navigation, and DAB radio.

It’s all hooked as much as a 17-speaker Burmester 4D sound system with 730W amplifier. What’s 4D? It’ll really translate “the system’s sound into vibrations within the entrance seats utilizing two tactile transducers built-in into every backrest”.

“Dolby Atmos can use the whole cabin area to create a 360-degree expertise, positioning particular person devices or voices within the studio combine throughout the listening space,” the corporate provides.

Price it? Properly, throughout our couple of hours behind the wheel I used to be extra centered on driving than whether or not my seat was vibrating me proper, however the sound high quality was superb.

I need to take a second to speak about atmosphere and construct high quality, as a result of it’s one thing that’s been a speaking level out of latest Benz launches.

Not like the C-Class and GLC, I’m glad to report the E-Class is extra in step with conventional perceptions of Mercedes construct. It’s properly completed, feels solidly put collectively, and there’s a greater mixture of premium supplies.

Nevertheless, whereas the massive screens have loads of wow issue, the deal with minimising bodily buttons instead of screens means there’s foolish touch-capacitive stuff concerning the place which is normally completed in piano black.

Preserve your cleansing cloths helpful, since you’re going to must wipe down a lot of the entrance cabin frequently with shoppers or relations driving alongside.

With simply myself within the automotive there have been loads of fingerprints and smudges left concerning the place from contact inputs and swipes of the display screen for fundamental features, in addition to on the double-spoke steering wheel. Aluminium or matte end subsequent time, possibly?

The rear seat additionally isn’t as palatial as you’d anticipate with the E-Class’s prolonged dimensions on this era.

At 6’1 I can match behind my very own driving place effective, however that is removed from a cut-price S-Class L. Knee and leg room aren’t fairly on the ranges I’d anticipate of a automotive this measurement, although foot and toe room are effective for the outer seats.

There’s a giant driveline hump within the center which can trigger a fifth passenger to splay out, and the rear of the centre console protrudes fairly a bit – it’s extra of a luxurious 4 seater.

I discover it odd Mercedes-Benz has relegated four-zone local weather to the choices checklist, and a part of a $9400 bundle on an already costly automotive. However there are air vents as normal.

There’s a wholesome 540 litres of boot area underneath the electrically operated rear lid, and you may fold down the rear seats – together with simply the centre one – for longer objects and elevated capability for those who want.

To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Regardless of traditionally providing a variety of four-, six- and eight-cylinder choices, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class affords a sole four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain at launch in Australia.

As famous earlier, Mercedes-Benz affords various engine variants overseas together with four-cylinder petrol and diesel mild-hybrids, in addition to four-cylinder plug-in hybrids with over 100km of WLTP-certified driving vary.

There are additionally Sedan (Saloon), Property and All-Terrain physique kinds supplied in choose abroad markets, and there are six-cylinder choices coming to the lineup finally.

Additional, we are able to anticipate some hipo AMG-fettled E-Class fashions to launch in some unspecified time in the future, with one clue being the brand new AMG CLE 53 4Matic which is on its strategy to Australia quickly.

Not like the C-Class vary, which has reverted to a massaged four-cylinder turbo out of the A forty five hyper hatch, the go-fast CLE makes use of a 330kW/560Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six.

To see how the Mercedes-Benz E-Class traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.

How does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class drive?

$130,000 for a four-cylinder E-Class may sound like a little bit of a joke, however there’s just a few issues to contemplate right here.

Firstly, the E 300’s turbocharged and mild-hybrid four-pot is well as highly effective and even torquier than six-cylinder E-Courses of previous, and stays hot-hatch fast with a 6.2s claimed 0-100km/h.

The two.0-litre 4 has a gruff and gravelly tone to it, however it’s properly muted. It’s not often coarse or thrashy like we’ve discovered within the C-Class and GLC.

I didn’t at all times gell with the nine-speed computerized. Whereas it’s typically fairly good underneath load and at a cruise, I seen there was a slight lurchiness and clunkiness at low speeds, notably in stop-start conditions and when coming by means of low pace slip lanes – it simply wants an additional layer of polish.

Insulation from the skin world normally is superb. We spent hours behind the wheel of the E 300 on a mixture of nation highways and B-roads with various surfaces and located it extremely refined and relaxed. It’s a superb all-round tourer.

And that’s the place these form of automobiles do their finest work, both skulking round quietly within the metropolis or stretching their legs on the freeway.

You’re finest to not try to drive this like a efficiency mannequin. It might put on AMG Line styling inside and outside, however an AMG the E 300 just isn’t.

From the sometimes doughy throttle response to the comfort-oriented chassis, this luxurious saloon is designed to do long-haul commutes in as a lot consolation as potential. Our check automobiles have been fitted with elective adaptive air suspension as a part of the Plus Bundle, and we think about this solely provides to this.

Whereas it is going to fortunately waft alongside undulations and softer hits, the big normal 20-inch alloy wheels and staggered 245/40 entrance and 275/35 rear tyres do imply there’s a slight terseness over sharper bumps and excessive frequency imperfections. It’s are from uncomfortable or unrefined, however it may very well be higher (smaller wheels, please).

Flicking between Consolation, Eco and Sport modes tailors steering and throttle response, along with damping and transmission shift factors. There are noticeable however not enormous adjustments to every profile, however there’s some good adjustability dialled in.

The tradeoff to the experience’s firmer edge is that the E 300 can nonetheless tackle a sequence of bends with gusto.

It is likely to be a 1.8-tonne, 4.9-metre lengthy government sedan, however the E-Class’s barely athletic bent means it corners with confidence and enthusiasm, laying a strong basis for upcoming AMG iterations.

The E 300 loves sweeping bends, the place its correct steering fluidly reacts to inputs and its hunkered-down stance conjures up confidence. You’ll be able to energy out of bends with that 400Nm of torque, and you may flick it into Sport for even higher throttle response.

In its normal setting, the steering is sort of mild (however correct), however it’s not the final phrase in really feel. I perceive that is meant to make lower-speed and tighter manoeuvres a cinch – together with elective rear-axle steering – however rivals just like the BMW 5 Collection make the motive force really feel extra concerned.

This looks like a extra conventional Benz in character, with a pleasant lean in the direction of consolation however with an underlying athletic edge meaning you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in a few of the time between A and B.

As for driver help techniques, the E-Class is fairly decked out as normal.

The adaptive cruise management and lane centring features allow semi-autonomous freeway driving, and Mercedes’s tech is a few of the finest on the market, whereas the blind-spot help will counter steer away from an approaching automobile in your blind-spot.

We additionally obtained a preview of the elective Digital Mild projection perform, which can challenge an arrow on the street forward if the automobile senses you drifting out of your lane, offering a visible warning for the motive force and close by street customers.

Mercedes-Benz says there’s prolonged performance on the playing cards sooner or later, however precisely what all that may appear like stays to be seen. To get this projection characteristic, you’ll want to possibility the Plus Bundle.

What do you get?

Only one variant is out there from launch – the E 300 Sedan.

E 300 Sedan normal tools:

Exterior

• AMG Line exterior bundle
• Agility Management suspension, selective damping
• 20-inch AMG multispoke alloy wheels in black
• Panoramic sliding sunroof
• Metallic paint – excl. Manufaktur
• Rear privateness glass
• Keyless-Go – handsfree entry
• Electrical folding mirrors
  • Encompass lighting
  • Emblem projection
• Digital Mild
• Adaptive Highbeam Help Plus
• Parking Bundle
  • Energetic Parking Help
  • 360-degree digital camera
• Driving Help Bundle Plus
  • Pre Protected Impulse Facet
  • Distronic – adaptive cruise
  • Energetic lane change help – blind-spot
  • Energetic lane preserve help
  • Energetic steering help
  • Site visitors jam help
  • Site visitors signal help
• Tyre stress monitor
• Acoustic Consolation Bundle
• Tyre restore package

Inside

• AMG Line inside bundle
• Sports activities steering wheel in Nappa leather-based
• Leather-based upholstery
• Roof liner in black
• Sports activities entrance seats
• Open-pore black ash wooden centre console
• Black piano lacquer trim
• Energetic ambient lighting with sound visualisation
• Auto-dimming inside and driver’s mirrors
• Reminiscence Bundle
  • Electrically adjustable entrance seats
  • Lumbar adjustment
  • Reminiscence perform – entrance seats
• Climatised entrance seats
• Folding rear seat backrests – 40:20:40
• Thermatic dual-zone local weather
• Burmester 4D encompass sound system
• DAB+ digital radio
• MBUX infotainment system
• MBUX Navigation Premium – AR perform
• MBUX Superscreen
  • 14.4-inch central touchscreen
  • 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wi-fi
• Wi-fi charging
• Mercedes-Me Join – 5G module
• Selfie and video digital camera

Choices

A pair of possibility packages can be found for the E 300 Sedan.

Plus Bundle: $9400

• Airmatic adaptive air suspension
• Illuminated grille
• Rear-axle steering
• Multi-contour entrance seats
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated rear seats
• 4-zone local weather management
• MBUX Inside Assistant

Energizing Bundle Plus: $5200

• Air-Stability bundle incl. adjustable inside fragrances
• Energizing Consolation applications
  • Regulate local weather, music, lighting, fragrances, air-conditioning
  • Anti-travel illness program

Colors

A number of exterior and inside color choices can be found.

Exterior

Customary – $NCO

• Polar White Non-Metallic
• Graphite Gray Metallic
• Excessive-tech Silver Metallic
• Verde Silver Metallic
• Obsidian Black Metallic
• Nautic Blue Metallic

Manufaktur – Elective

• Alpine Gray Strong: $2900
• Hyacinth Crimson Metallic: $2500
• Opalite White Shiny: $2500

Inside

• Black leather-based – Sport Seats*
• Black leather-based – Consolation Seats^
• Tonka Brown leather-based – Consolation Seats
• Macchiato Beige leather-based – Consolation Seats

*Not along side Energizing Bundle Plus
^Solely along side Energizing Bundle Plus

Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class protected?

The brand new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has but to be examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Customary security tools consists of:

• 11 airbags
• Energetic Steering Help – lane centring
• Adaptive cruise management with cease, go
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Evasive steering help
• Lane preserve help
• Pre-Protected Plus, Impulse Facet
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Encompass-view digital camera
• Site visitors signal recognition

How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class value to run?

Like the broader Mercedes-Benz vary, the E-Class is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 25,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.

Mercedes-Benz affords as much as 5 years of capped-price servicing, although it hasn’t confirmed pricing for the W124 era – for reference, the outgoing one will value you a lofty $6800 for a five-year plan.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The newest E-Class is a brand new chapter in one of many oldest Mercedes-Benz storylines – it could be area of interest, however it’s a giant deal.

As is the case with many of the premium producers, the mid-size segments usually bridge the hole between entry-level and flagship merchandise – and typically even blur the traces between them.

The E-Class has lengthy stood by itself in comparison with the C-Class and S-Class, carving its personal path and doing issues in its personal time. It’s extra particular and fascinating than the C, however not fairly the automated chauffeur’s selection just like the S.

Like generations previous it’s not only a cookie-cutter Benz sedan. It’s distinct from the C- and S-Courses inside and outside, and affords various distinctive touches like that Superscreen which actually offers the cabin a distinct vibe to its stablemates.

The driving expertise can also be largely good, with easy efficiency, respectable dealing with, and good effectivity. Consolation and calmness are likewise robust factors.

However there are just a few kinks within the armour. There’s no escaping the lofty value – it’s $15,000 greater than a BMW 520i which isn’t that far off by way of energy and tempo, and piles on related luxuries and a extra typical cabin. You can too have a extra highly effective six-cylinder Audi A6 55 TFSI with quattro all-wheel drive for a similar cash.

You additionally want so as to add over $10,000 in choices to the Benz to get the total suite of accessible options for the right expertise. It’s a disgrace sure fascinating options aren’t simply single-item choices moderately than exxy packages.

It’s additionally disappointing there’s little range within the vary or selection of powertrains. Positive Mercedes will promote you an EQE, however it’s much less fascinating and fairly a bit much less enticing, and I’ll depart it at that. One thing has me pondering a diesel engine or plug-in hybrid would additional increase the effectivity equation, and swimsuit this automotive’s easy vibe.

The E-Class solely sells in double-digit numbers month-to-month, making it a distinct segment providing for loyalists – and I reckon these conventional E- patrons shall be completely proud of how this one goes about its enterprise.

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