2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class renews traditional comfort and elegance

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The world may have gone SUV crazy, but for Mercedes-Benz, traditional sedans are still a major part of its portfolio — especially here in Europe where the automotive landscape is largely populated by cars and station wagons (remember those?). As such, this all new 2024 E-Class sedan is a big deal for the Stuttgart automaker, and it continues as an ICE model (internal combustion), leaving the EV sedan experience to its fully electric EQ model line. Europe and other markets will get hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel variants, but for North America we’ll see only the four-cylinder E 350 4Matic and six-cylinder E 450 4Matic… at least for now.

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Both powertrains now incorporate a 48-volt mild hybrid system for improved fuel economy and “torque-fill,” the latter smoothing out dips in the turbo engine’s power delivery for more linear acceleration. There were no four-pot E 350 4Matics to sample at this event, and while I’d love to regale you on the wonderfulness of the plug-in hybrid diesel version we’ll never see, let’s look at the E 450 4Matic.

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What makes the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic go?

Under its hood sits a 3.0L inline turbocharged six-cylinder that puts out a healthy 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from 1,800-5,000 rpm. Contributing to this is the 48-volt mild hybrid system’s integrated starter-generator (ISG). Thanks to a new battery, the power of the electric motor has increased from 15 to 17 kW and the boost torque to 148 lb-ft. Power routes through a revised nine-speed automatic to all four wheels via Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel drive. It’s a strong, smooth and tractable engine, and while not as eager as the creamy 3.0L straight-sixes from rival BMW, it motivates the new E Class with refinement and authority.

As noted earlier, the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 2024 E 350 4Matic gets the 48-volt mild hybrid treatment as well. Power output is pegged at 255 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque from 2,000-3,200 rpm. It is also mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

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How does the 2024 E-Class look?

To these eyes, the new E is a visual success. Granted, it doesn’t spin heads at first glance, but there’s a quiet, handsome elegance to this sedan. It is long of hood, short of tail, and with its minimal front overhang and smooth, sweeping bodywork, the E draws on the past but also looks distinctly modern. All Canadian models get AMG body styling seen here. The big grille sports a massive central three-pointed star surrounded by a repeating pattern of smaller stars — a chic design motif we’re seeing in current Benz vehicles. The taillights get the star treatment too. Optional will be an illuminated grille surround.

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These E 450 4Matic preproduction models rode on 21-inch 15-spoke alloys, the largest size offered, giving a meaningful stance. Looking at the E in profile really shows its “cab rearward” design — the graceful roof arc and largely unadorned flanks combine for quite a striking look. The long hood gets the traditional Benz power bulges. So yes, the new E is all Mercedes.

How’s the interior?

Bigger, for one. Compared with the preceding model, the 2024 E-Class is slightly wider, slightly taller and gets a two-centimetre longer wheelbase. This translates to an extra five millimetres of headroom for the driver, more shoulder room, and rear passengers enjoy an extra 17 mm of legroom.

Having been stretched slightly in all directions, this 2024 sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz E Class is more accommodating than the previous model, with rear seat space nearing that of the current flagship S-Class sedan. Trunk space remains a commodious 540 litres, and while not a factor in North America, the hybrid models don’t sacrifice any cargo volume for the underfloor battery pack.

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And yes, this is a beautiful cabin — my tester mercifully free of the default black treatment, here trimmed in saddle brown perforated hide that adds a sense of warmth and occasion.

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Standard issue in the new E will be a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster along with a freestanding 14.4-inch central touchscreen — like what we see in the current S-Class. But none of the preproduction vehicles at this event were so equipped. All sported the optional MBUX Superscreen — an evolution of the Hyperscreen seen in the fully electric EQ range. Instead of the Hyperscreen’s massive swath of glass that stretches from door to door, the Superscreen breaks it up with a 10.25-inch free standing instrument display in front of the driver. The rest of the glass panel, which does stretch to the passenger door and integrates a large central touchscreen and 10.25-inch passenger display, is nicely integrated into the dash with a metallic border, the upper of which houses HVAC vents. It’s a warmer feel than the super techy Hyperscreen — more in keeping with the traditional Mercedes sedan patron, me thinks.

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While riding shotgun I got to mess with the passenger display which offers up a host of options — navigation, radio, media, various apps, etc. I watched a bit of CNN while cruising along the Autobahn. If you’re wondering about driver distraction, my chauffeur… er, colleague was unable to partake in my private viewing because the little dashtop camera that keeps an eye on his peepers dimmed the screen whenever he glanced that way. Annoying sod. If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the screen shows a decorative digital image.

Sweeping across the top of the dash and into the door cards is the new active ambient lighting strip that, among other things, will dance to the music — fast beats equal rapid light changes while flowing rhythms create softer lighting moods. On a more analogue level, all Es get standard open pore wood trim.

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Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class comfortable?

Well, thank goodness it is, because isn’t that what we expect from Mercedes? Despite having enough computing power to dim the lights at Apple headquarters, the 2024 E has not eschewed its prime directive of providing a coddling and luxurious motoring experience. If you want to simply get in and drive, the core elements are here in the E 450 4Matic — a hushed cabin, creamy smooth ride, well contoured and comfortable seats (here with massage and ventilation), and an overarching sense of impenetrable solidity and well-being. This tester was fitted with the optional Technology Package that adds adaptive air suspension and rear wheel steering — the latter significantly reducing the sedan’s turning circle. While some competitors emphasize the sport in their sedans at the expense of comfort, Mercedes obviously knows its customer base. Even in Sport mode, with the suspension stiffened for sharper responses, the E 450 is never less than a smooth operator, although it should be noted that the roads here in Austria are in much better shape than the pock-marked messes we drive on.

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That said, the 450 is not averse to a bit of hustling. This is a strong drivetrain, and while the steering lacks true tactility, setting a good pace down a B-road is no hardship. It’s a quick car with decent body control, and the nine-speed responds instantly to paddle shifter commands. True enthusiasts will wait for the inevitable AMG version.

The optional Energizing Comfort programs adjust the parameters of sound, mobile massage, ambient lighting, cabin temp, fragrance, etc to create preset moods. New in the E is one that claims to help with motion sickness.

Features and tech

How much time do you have? The 2024 E-Class is the first vehicle to use Benz’s all-new electronic architecture. Being more software than hardware driven, this system uses a single in-house processor that significantly streamlines and speeds up computing functions for all aspects of the vehicle. Previously, Mercedes was relying on many third parties to supply electronic control modules for a myriad of functions, adding to complications and expense. A Merc engineer explained there could be up to 54 modules just for the electronic steering system alone, none of which they made or really understood how they worked. The new E Class is currently Mercedes’ most technologically advanced vehicle.

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The new digital key function (initially just for Apple users) has your phone acting as the car key (no need to carry a fob), and once set up, the all-seeing driver-facing camera uses facial recognition to call up the driver’s profile for his/her preset preferences. Up to seven different profiles with a total of around 800 parameters are possible in the vehicle. Dubbed “Routines” by Mercedes, the onboard system uses AI to learn the driver’s preferences. Mom likes softer ambient lighting, a dusting of lavender cabin fragrance, occasional massage and her Spotify smooth jazz playlist. Junior wants Sport driving mode, the light bar pulsing to death metal, and the windows and sunroof wide open for the enjoyment of others.

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All Canadian models get standard Burmester audio, and it’s a good one.

Lots of safety stuff

It’s a Mercedes. Of course. Standard issue are front collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, active lane keeping assist, speed limit assist, and attention assist which introduces audible and visual warnings if the driver’s eyes stray from the road for too long. If the escalating warnings are not heeded, the E will bring itself to an emergency stop.

Opting for the Driver Assistant Plus package nets semi-autonomous driving (adaptive cruise control with steering assist), and a new brainy feature that will have the E-Class passing automatically passing slower traffic when on the highway without the driver having to tap the turn signal, as was required previously. We got to experience this firsthand on the Austrian autobahn (speed limit 130 km/h). Yes, it works, and on one occasion it aborted a pass because it sensed a car approaching at a very high rate of speed on our left. Also baked into this package are collision avoidance functions for oncoming traffic when making left hand turns.

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Is the new Merc E-Class user-friendly?

Any vehicle with this much baked-in technology is a learning curve on wheels. That said, if you just want to jump in and go — as we journalists must do on these fast-paced media launches — the E 450 4Matic is basically plug and play. Familiar to Benz customers will be the delicate electronic shift wand on the steering column and the ergonomically sound door-mounted seat controls that also feature hard buttons for seat heat and ventilation. Nice. Sadly, there’s no volume knob to be found — just haptic sliders on the steering wheel and under the central screen. A well-marked haptic panel gives access to most HVAC functions, and of course, the nice lady in the dash who responds to “Hey Mercedes” will do her best to accommodate your every wish — from adjusting cabin temperature to seat massage to finding the nearest Mongolian restaurant and calling ahead for a reservation. But wait, there’s more. With the “Just Talk” function, she can be summoned without the “Hey Mercedes” prompt. When activated, a red microphone symbol appears in the display indicating the disembodied voice is ready and waiting for commands.

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My tester was fitted with the optional head-up display, that, with its navigation info projected in the line of sight, made the negotiation of the Austrian drive route (especially the warren of narrow streets in old Vienna) considerably less stressful. 

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class competitors

The verdict

From its sleek bodywork to its rich cabin to the astounding levels of technology, this redone sedan from Benz ups the E-Class experience to fresh levels of opulence and connectivity. But the core values remain — comfort, elegance, pace and relative ease of use.

We’ll see the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4Matic in Canada late 2023, with the E 450 4Matic arriving the first quarter of 2024. Pricing will be announced closer to arrival dates, but currently the E 350 starts around $70,000 with the E 450 bowing at $80,000.