2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been a staple of the midsize executive sedan market for decades alongside rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 and continues to deliver a refined and luxurious driving experience that is difficult to beat. After undergoing a thorough mid-cycle refresh for 2021, the turbocharged 2.0-liter in the E350 is joined by a new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with EQ Boost in the E450 4Matic producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This classy machine came with updated exterior styling and an even more sumptuous interior with new upholstery and trim choices and the same class-leading tech we've come to love from the German marque. The E-Class might not be as fun to drive as other midsize sedans like the Jaguar XF and the BMW 5 Series, but it blends refinement and luxury into a consummate luxury cruiser.

The exterior design of the Mercedes-Benz became even more mature last year thanks to a redesigned face and slightly altered rear end with new slimline taillights. It's the most understated of the German four-door luxury sedans, especially when compared to the bold face of the 2022 BMW 5 Series. All models feature LED exterior lighting, a power tilt and slide glass sunroof, and 18-inch twin five-spoke wheels. Optional extras include a panorama roof and 19-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels with black accents.

This executive sedan is more or less the same size as its main rivals, the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. The E-Class is 194.3 inches long, 57.8 inches tall, 81.3 inches wide when including the mirrors, and rides on a wheelbase of 115.7 inches. As for the E-Class' curb weight, the lightest model is the rear-wheel-drive E350 at 3,781 pounds while the heaviest is the E450 4Matic at 4,222 lbs.

Mercedes-Benz has never been big on vibrant colors, at least not when it comes to its bread-and-butter sedans, and the 2022 E-Class Sedan continues the tradition of reserved styling that helps make it the gentleman's choice. Mercedes-Benz offers the E-Class in eleven exterior paint colors, with Black and Polar White being the only two no-cost options. Obsidian Black Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic, Mojave Silver Metallic, Cirrus Silver Metallic, and Selenite Grey Metallic all cost $720. Added to this list for this year is Nautical Blue Metallic, replacing last year's Lunar Blue Metallic. Manufaktur Cardinal Red Metallic will set you back $1,750, as will Manufaktur Diamond White Metallic. Manufaktur Selenite Grey Magno with a matte finish is the most expensive color option at $3,250.

German executive sedans are expected to offer above-average performance, especially if you live in Germany, where some highways have no speed limits. Here in the USA, we have stricter speed limits, but we still appreciate a good shove into the seat. The 2022 E-Class's performance ranges from mild to impressive, but it's all relative to what you're used to. The lowly E350, for instance, didn't blow us away with its straight-line performance, but it will most certainly be enough for the relaxed daily driver whose only plan is to cruise suburban streets and jump on the highway every so often. The rear-wheel-drive E350 will complete the 0-60 mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, dropping down to six seconds flat for the all-wheel-drive version. That's slightly quicker than a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 but not as quick as the base BMW 530i which will hit 60 in 5.9 seconds. If you're after a more gutsy driving experience but don't want to spend AMG levels of money, the E450 4MATIC is the one to go for. This 362-hp exec will bolt to sixty in only 4.9 seconds and accompany it with a smooth inline-six soundtrack from its new engine. All variants have a limited top speed of 130 mph.

There are two engine options on the table; a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six motor delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The E350 is available in both RWD and AWD configurations, while the E450 is only offered in AWD guise. Power in all three instances is sent to the wheels via a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission that is sharp and responsive when needed but likes living in full auto mode, where it's deliciously smooth. The 2.0L engine can feel slightly underpowered when the car is fully loaded and attempting to overtake on the highway, but there's ample power to get the job done in most situations. The 3.0L motor in the E450 is the one to go for if you want brisk performance at all times. Not only does the E450 deliver strong acceleration, but the inline-six engine is silky smooth and refined. In this model, an EQ Boost system provides an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft immediately, further boosting responsiveness but also ensuring power delivery that's as smooth as the new six-pot sounds. Either way, you look at it, the Mercedes E-Class is no slowpoke.

The E-Class is an executive sedan first, which means comfort is prioritized over performance, and in a world where lap times and figures are all important, this could seem like a bad thing, but those who buy the E-Class know precisely what they're doing. This German luxury sedan loves to gobble up the miles and does so in supreme comfort. Low-speed bumps and road imperfections are soaked up by the perfectly tuned suspension, and on the highway, this car feels like a magic carpet ride, especially with the optional air suspension fitted. On its standard suspension, the ride is firmer over rough surfaces, although the sedan never entirely loses its composure. When pushed hard, the E-Class will show its weight and likes to show a bit of body roll in tight corners.

With its small-capacity turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the E350 will manage 22/31/25 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. The 4MATIC AWD version is slightly less efficient on the highway with figures of 22/30/25 mpg. With a fuel tank capacity of 17.4 gallons, the E350 has an estimated range of 435 miles. Shockingly, the more powerful E450 will return the same gas mileage figures. The EPA claims that this version, which benefits from a 48-volt hybrid system, will manage 23/30/25 mpg. With a 21.1-gallon fuel tank, the E450 should see a maximum range of 549 miles in mixed driving conditions. Although its gas mileage figures are quite good, the E-Class isn't the most efficient vehicle in this segment. For instance, the BMW 530i returns a combined 28 mpg in RWD guise and the powerful 540i RWD manages 27 mpg combined.

Mercedes-Benz has set the bar so high in terms of interior design and quality that many other manufacturers are still playing catch up. The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a stunning display of craftsmanship and attention to detail. From brushed aluminum to real wood and leather, this space exudes class and sophistication, and we think it's the best interior in its class. Getting in and out of the E-Class cabin is as simple as opening the wide-opening door and gently placing yourself on some of the most comfortable seats you'll ever have the pleasure of sitting on. Visibility is good in general. Once inside, the E-Class dashboard reeks of luxury, but with a modern twist in the form of an expansive 24.6 inches of screen space forming the instrumentation and infotainment. A new steering wheel has been included as part of last year's facelift, which is, in our eyes, the weakest point of the interior as the gloss black elements will be a fingerprint magnet.

It should be reiterated that the 2022 E-Class has some of the most comfortable seats we've ever had the pleasure of testing, and the rear seats aren't bad either. In terms of interior space, the E-Class offers seating for five and has a substantial 41.7 inches of front legroom, slightly edging out the Audi A6. The front headroom is 37.3 inches, which should be enough for six-footers and above. In the back, there's also generous legroom of 36.2 inches and even more headroom than the front at 37.6 inches. The shoulder room in the front and back is over 57 inches, which translates into a spacious cabin that never feels too tight, even with larger adults on board.

The cabin of the 2022 E-Class is a stunning showcase of what Mercedes-Benz is capable of and exudes class and refinement. All models are offered with a massive selection of upholstery and trim materials. All models enjoy standard MB-Tex leatherette upholstery offered in color combinations such as Black, Nut Brown/Black, and Macchiato Beige/Black. To upgrade to leather, you'll need to spend $1,620, and the Nappa leather option costs $2,990. A particularly striking option is designo Macchiato Beige/Saddle Brown exclusive Nappa leather but this requires various extras that raise the price by over $5,000. A more affordable, yet almost equally as luxurious option, is the Macchiato Beige/Magma Grey Nappa leather option at $2,990 plus the pre-requisite topstitched MB-Tex upper dash and door trim at $350.

Trim options include the no-cost natural grain Black Ash wood, Brown Ash wood, Burl Walnut wood, and natural grain Grey or Brown Ash woods. For an additional $1,300, you can get Manufaktur Black Piano Lacquer trim with a 'flowing lines' design. Customers can also specify topstitched MB-Tex upper dashboard and door trim along with a wood/leather steering wheel, or, to match the Manufaktur leather upholstery, Nappa leather on the dash and doors and a Macchiato Beige faux-suede headliner.

Executive sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series prioritize interior space and comfort over masses of cargo space, but a sizable trunk will always be an essential factor here. Unfortunately, the Mercedes E-Class Sedan comes up short when compared to the rest of the field. With only 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space on offer, the Merc provides less than both the BMW 5 Series (14 cubes) and the Audi A6 Sedan (13.7 cubes). Small-item storage is average; there's a center console storage bin, glovebox, decent door pockets, and covered cupholders in the center console. For rear-seat passengers, there are seatback pockets on the front seats and a fold-down center console with storage space and two pop-out cupholders.

The E-Class is one of the most well-established players in the executive sedan market and comes packed with all the luxury features you'd expect from a car of this caliber. All models roll off the factory floor with standard front power seats with lumbar control, dual-zone automatic climate control, 64-color LED ambient lighting, heated front seats, keyless-go, keyless entry, an illuminated entry system, a HomeLink garage door opener, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. A power sunroof is standard too but can be upgraded to a panoramic item. All models also come with standard driver-assistance features such as adaptive automatic high-beam assist, active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot assist, cross-wind assist, and rain-sensing window wipers. The options list is lengthy and will require some restraint unless you want to send the price soaring. Available extras include active steering assist, active lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.

2021 models saw the introduction of the latest MBUX infotainment software, which, along with the exterior updates, help the E-Class feel as youthful as its contemporaries. All E-Class vehicles come standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display which is controlled by a touchpad, and voice activation. Touch Control Buttons on the steering wheel aren't the easiest to use but do provide a quick means to manage functions like cruise control and Bluetooth. Alternatively, the MBUX system has some of the best voice-recognition functionality around, prompted by the phrase "Hey, Mercedes". Other standard features include navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and two USB-C ports. The standard FrontBass sound system includes a subwoofer under the dashboard. Optional extras include wireless phone charging, in-car Wi-Fi, SiriusXM with a six-month all-access trial, augmented video for navigation, and a 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester sound system.

Despite a reasonable quality and reliability rating of 78 out of 100 by J.D. Power, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan suffered from several issues, with no fewer than nine recalls according to the NHTSA. The issues here include a faulty rear-view camera and parking sensors, rear headrests that aren't mounted correctly, various issues with seat switches and position limiters, loose crash sensors, and an incorrect vehicle location sent out to emergency services following a crash - a common Mercedes problem. The final 2021 recall also applies to 2022 models and that is a seatbelt locking retractor malfunction.

Mercedes-Benz will cover the E-Class Sedan with a four-year/50,000-mile basic, corrosion and powertrain warranty. New owners also get a five-year/50,000-mile roadside assistance plan but a complimentary maintenance plan isn't offered.

The E-Class Sedan is clearly a safe vehicle. The NHTSA's review of the 2022 Mercedes E-Class awarded it a full five stars in all categories. Similar stellar results were reported by the IIHS; this agency named the 2021 E-Class as a Top Safety Pick+, the highest safety rating that a vehicle can achieve.

With numerous safety awards under its belt, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes packed with safety features. The exterior gets full LED lighting, adaptive automatic high beams, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, and the interior is supplied with seven airbags, including side curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag, with the option to add a further two rear-seat side airbags. Driver-assistance features such as active brake assist, crosswind assist, attention assist, and blind-spot assist are standard. A rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, and a parking damage detector all require no additional cost. Optional safety tech includes evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, route-based speed adaptation, rear cross-traffic alert, and a system that can automatically park the car for you.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been the go-to option for executives for decades and continues to deliver a premium luxury and tech-rich driving experience. Under the hood, the base engine in the E350 is powerful enough for a quiet suburban life, but we would recommend going with the more powerful E450 and its turbocharged inline-six engine, which delivers a serious kick and uses no more fuel than the 2.0-liter engine. The E-Class interior is stunning and can definitely be ranked with the best of them, but the smaller-than-average trunk might be an issue for some. There's a lot of standard tech as well, and this is possibly one of the safest sedans on the road today. On the road, this exec is super comfortable, but don't expect razor-sharp sports car handling. It's competitively priced, capable, and it has the three-pointed star on the hood. What are you waiting for?

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class isn't cheap, but you have to pay to play at this level. The most affordable of the lot is the base E350 which has an MSRP of $54,950. The E350 4MATIC is slightly dearer at $57,450, and the more powerful E450 4MATIC will set you back $62,750. With a ton of options on offer, it is easy to push the E450 to over $80k. These Mercedes E-Class prices exclude tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,050

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan lineup comprises the E350, E350 4Matic, and E450 4 Matic. All engines are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive on the E350, while the two 4Matic models are all-wheel drive. The 350 models use a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and the E450 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid assistance that produces 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Standard equipment on all models includes 18-inch alloy wheels, all-LED exterior lighting, powered and heated front seats, MB-Tex leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, 64-color ambient lighting, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system's touchscreen also measures 12.3 inches and it offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, front and rear USB ports, and navigation. Safety tech includes seven airbags, adaptive automatic high beams, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and crosswind assist.

From the outside in, the new Mercedes E-Class is offered with numerous optional features and packages. The base model, for instance, can be upgraded with the AMG Line Exterior Package, which adds a sport brake system and 18-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels for $750. Moving into the cabin, the $1,050 Warmth & Comfort Package adds rapid heating for the front seats, heated front armrests, and a heated steering wheel. This package can be had on its own and no longer requires adding the Driver Assistance Package and Premium Package ($2,300) as it did last year.

Both of these latter two packages are worthwhile upgrades. The Driver Assistance Package adds 15 additional driver-assist technologies. Some of these are congestion emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active Stop & Go Assist, and active lane-keeping assist. This package costs $1,950 but requires adding the Premium Package too. The $2,400 Premium Package is highlighted by features like a 13-speaker Burmester sound system, a surround-view camera system, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Individual options are plentiful and include ventilated front seats for $450 (but requires a leather upgrade for an added cost), a head-up display for $1,100, and wireless phone charging for $200.

Those looking to buy in this segment tend to have a reasonable amount of expendable income, and for that reason alone, we'd recommend skipping out on the lower E350 options and heading straight for the E450 4Matic. Not only do you get the benefit of permanent AWD, but you also get a meaty 362 hp from that turbocharged inline-six engine and the same gas mileage as the base car thanks to the mild-hybrid system. Sure, the features list remains unchanged, but all that extra power is worth the price increase, and the best part is that you'll barely be able to tell the difference at the gas station if you drive like a sensible adult. The E450 4MATIC starts at $62,750 - while it feels suitably luxurious straight out of the box, we would opt for the Driver Assistance Package ($1,950) as well, which automatically adds the Premium Package ($2,400).

The C-Class is the E-Class's smaller sibling and also competes in the luxury sedan market, but at a significantly lower price point. The 2021 C-Class is powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the E-Class but is quicker off the line thanks to its lighter curb weight. The difference between these two cars becomes apparent once you step inside: The E-Class offers more space, a more luxurious interior, and more standard features. The turbocharged inline-six engine in the E450 4Matic is also a big drawcard for the E-Class. Then again, for less money than the E450, you could drive off in the AMG C43 which has 385 hp. But the 2021 C-Class is now part of an aging generation, which doesn't have the latest in infotainment or features. A new C-Class is arriving for 2022 which will be a better option, but from the perspective of a 2021 review of the two, the E-Class is the vastly superior machine.

The S-Class has traditionally been considered the king of the German luxury sedan market and is more refined, more intelligent, and even nicer to drive than ever before following the arrival of an all-new generation. The S-Class is the largest sedan Mercedes-Benz offers and is significantly larger than the E-Class. This is reflected in its price as it costs almost twice as much with an entry-level price of $109,800. You get quite a lot for the money, however. Under the hood of the entry-level S500 4Matic sits a turbocharged inline-six that belts out 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, but an available twin-turbo V8 produces 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. Inside, the cabin of the S-Class is vast and decked out in the finest materials and tech the motoring industry has to offer. This car is all about passenger comfort, so the driving experience is geared towards refinement. Simply put, the S-Class offers more in every category, but at a cost. If your bank balance is looking healthy enough and you enjoy being chauffeured around, we'd recommend one in a heartbeat, but if you like driving, the E-Class is a great way to save a whole lot of money.