With the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the German automaker is pushing the envelope for how technologically advanced a luxury vehicle can be. Usually a job that Mercedes saves for the range-topping S-Class, the new E-Class leads the way into the future. With a couple of all-new models, the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, the 2018 E-Class is a leader in its segment.
CarsDirect Pricing Insider
What you must know before buying the Mercedes-Benz E-Class- 2019 E-Class is here
- Lease: From $569 a month for 36 mo. (2018)
- Financing: No APR deals
- Small unadvertised incentives (2018 & 2019)
Lots of stock to pick from:
The E-Class is one of the simplest models to find on Mercedes' lots, and the E300 is by far the easiest version to find. The 2019 E-Class is hitting showrooms now, and the 2018 E-Class is still available.
If you were planning to buy a diesel E-Class, you're out of luck, as they are reportedly on hold for another year.
Mercedes-Benz's deals are available nationwide and expire on October 31, 2018.
Lease from $569 per month:
Buyers can lease the 2018 E300 Base Sedan from $569 per month for 36 months with $5,183 due at signing.
As for the coupe, the E400's 36-month lease starts from $679 per month with $5,713 due at signing. There's also the E400 Cabriolet that starts from $729 per month with $6,233 due at signing. Want something higher performing? There's the E43 AMG with its $839-per-month lease with $6,403 due at signing.
With effective monthly costs ranging from $713 to $1,017, these are all poor values for the E-Class' $53,945 to $73,315 MSRP.
The 2019 E-Class' promotional leases range from $599 per month ($10 increase) with $4,903 due at signing ($10 increase) for the E300 Sedan to $759 per month ($10 increase) with $6,203 due at signing ($10 increase) on the E450 Cabriolet. With effective monthly costs of $725 to $921, these are not good values.
All lease deals on the E-Class allow up to 10,000 miles per year of driving.
No special APR:
Mercedes-Benz offers no manufacturer-level APR deals on the E-Class. You may, however, find dealers with special banking relationships that may net you an attractive financing offer.
Unadvertised incentives:
Mercedes rarely offers cash incentives to buyers. Instead, it passes unadvertised incentives to dealerships to do with as they please. On the 2018 E-Class, these incentives include $500 on the E-Class Coupe and $1,000 on the E-Class Sedan.
The 2019 E-Class offers $500 on the sedan only.
Remember, dealerships can pass some or all the incentive to you, or keep it as profit, so shop around to find the most generous dealer.
Lots of stock to pick from:
The E-Class is one of the simplest models to find on Mercedes' lots, and the E300 is by far the easiest version to find. The 2019 E-Class is hitting showrooms now, and the 2018 E-Class is still available.
If you were planning to buy a diesel E-Class, you're out of luck, as they are reportedly on hold for another year.
Mercedes-Benz's deals are available nationwide and expire on October 31, 2018.
Lease from $569 per month:
Buyers can lease the 2018 E300 Base Sedan from $569 per month for 36 months with $5,183 due at signing.
As for the coupe, the E400's 36-month lease starts from $679 per month with $5,713 due at signing. There's also the E400 Cabriolet that starts from $729 per month with $6,233 due at signing. Want something higher performing? There's the E43 AMG with its $839-per-month lease with $6,403 due at signing.
With effective monthly costs ranging from $713 to $1,017, these are all poor values for the E-Class' $53,945 to $73,315 MSRP.
The 2019 E-Class' promotional leases range from $599 per month ($10 increase) with $4,903 due at signing ($10 increase) for the E300 Sedan to $759 per month ($10 increase) with $6,203 due at signing ($10 increase) on the E450 Cabriolet. With effective monthly costs of $725 to $921, these are not good values.
All lease deals on the E-Class allow up to 10,000 miles per year of driving.
No special APR:
Mercedes-Benz offers no manufacturer-level APR deals on the E-Class. You may, however, find dealers with special banking relationships that may net you an attractive financing offer.
Unadvertised incentives:
Mercedes rarely offers cash incentives to buyers. Instead, it passes unadvertised incentives to dealerships to do with as they please. On the 2018 E-Class, these incentives include $500 on the E-Class Coupe and $1,000 on the E-Class Sedan.
The 2019 E-Class offers $500 on the sedan only.
Remember, dealerships can pass some or all the incentive to you, or keep it as profit, so shop around to find the most generous dealer.
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2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overview
Joel Patel, Automotive EditorWhat's New for 2018
The E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are all-new vehicles for the mid-size family. Both vehicles follow in the footsteps of the sedan and wagon variants that arrived on the scene as all-new vehicles last year, although they're only available as E400 models. Powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine that’s matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission, the E400 twins have a neat multi-chamber air suspension as an optional extra. You can also find this powertrain in the new-for-2018 E400 4Matic Sedan.
The E-Class Cabriolet also gets a special goody from the S-Class Cabriolet in the form of the multi-layer fabric acoustic soft top that comes in Black, Dark Brown, Dark Blue, or Red. The Cabriolet also gets an Aircap wind deflector and Airscarf neck-level heating, just like on the S-Class Cabriolet.
Also new for 2018 is the E63 S AMG version of the E-Class. Available as either a sedan or wagon, the high-performance variant uses the same 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 as the S63 AMG to produce 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. It's a very, very quick way to move you and your four closest friends.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz E-Class
With the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet now coming with all of the same high-tech features as the Sedan and Wagon that debuted last year, choosing a body style becomes a huge part of the E-Class buying experience.
Sharing a harmonious look with the S-Class and smaller C-Class, the E-Class is a handsome vehicle in any body style, especially the long, muscular lines on the wagon. But the greatest benefits of the E-Class are beneath the skin, with high-tech safety features, semi-autonomous driving capability, 64 colors on the ambient lighting system, high-end Burmester sound systems, and much, much more.
Mercedes also offers Designo leather upholstery, trim, and interior color schemes for an opulent interior, which helps combine all of the new technology into a comfortable, cohesive package.
E300
Only available on the E-Class Sedan, the E300 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that makes 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission that helps send power down to the rear wheels. Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is an optional extra. The E300 starts at $54,945 (all prices include a $995 destination and handling fee).
Standard features on the E300 includes Dynamic Select, which is a multimode drive program, all-LED exterior lighting, power tilt/sliding sunroof, a 12.3-inch high-resolution infotainment screen, car-to-X communication, automatic emergency braking, Attention Assist, Crosswind Assist, a rearview camera, adaptive braking technology, SmartKey with Keyless-Start, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, and a voice control system.
Optional packages on the E300 include a Warmth and Comfort Package ($1,050) that adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated front armrests and upper door panels (which are as decadent as they sound), and galvanized shift paddles. The Premium 1 Package ($3,700) adds an automatic parking assistant, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats, hands-free access, a powered trunk, a Burmester surround audio system, and wireless charging.
The Premium 2 Package ($6,600) adds all of the features from the Premium 1 Package plus LED headlights that move in response to turns, automatic high beams, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an Air Balance cabin-air purification system, and a power rear-window sunshade, as well.
Lastly, the Premium 3 Package ($10,200) has everything from the lower packages, but adds all of Mercedes' active safety and semi-autonomous systems. Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, Congestion Emergency Braking, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Surround View System, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Pre-Safe Plus, and a head-up display make the E-Class one of the most advanced vehicles on the planet.
E400
Available on all four body styles are available in both E400 and E400 4Matic trims (the E400 Sedan is only available with 4Matic). The E400 Coupe starts at $59,895, the Wagon rings up at $64,045, and the E400 Cabriolet is priced at $66,000 – Mercedes hasn't announced pricing for the E400 Sedan. All E400 models are equipped with a 3.0-liter biturbo V6 engine that produces 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Standard features include a sport brake system, a selective damping system, ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist, 18-inch wheels, panorama sunroof, power-folding side mirrors, and leather upholstery.
The E400 has many of the same packages as the E300, but adds an AMG Line Package ($2,500) that adds AMG body styling, a black headliner, 18-inch AMG five-spoke wheels, AMG interior styling, a sport steering wheel, and brushed aluminum pedals.
E43 AMG
Blending performance and luxury in an (relatively) affordable package, the Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG is only available as a sedan for 2018. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that cranks out 396 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, the E43 AMG is capable of getting to 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds thanks to standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG starts at $72,595.
Standard features on the E43 AMG include: an AMG Sport Exhaust System, galvanized shift paddles, an AMG sport steering wheel, 19-inch AMG wheels, aluminum trim, chrome diamond-block grille, AMG body styling, HomeLink garage door opener, electronic trunk closer, MB-Tex/Dinamica upholstery, Burmester Surround Sound system, and more. Its optional extras broadly mirror the E300 and E400.
E63 S AMG
The E63 S AMG is the quickest E-Class on sale today. Available in both a sedan and wagon body styles, the trim has supercar-besting performance with high-end luxury features that Mercedes is known for. Packing a handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, the E63 S AMG Sedan only takes 3.3 seconds to get to 60 mph. The car's incredible performance comes at a price, though, as the E63 S AMG Sedan costs at least $105,395.
Standard features include dynamic engine mounts, Race and Drift modes, a more performance-oriented all-wheel drive system, AMG Sport Suspension, an AMG electronic limited-slip differential, AMG high-performance Composite Braking System, AMG Sport speed-sensitive steering, an AMG Nappa/Dinamica performance steering wheel, a Burmester audio system, and more.
E63 S AMG models have the same available packages as the rest of the lineup, but an AMG Premium Package (pricing hasn’t been announced yet for AMG packages) adds a suite of safety systems and an AMG Advanced Lighting Package includes LED Intelligent Light System headlamps and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.
CarsDirect Tip
The Premium 3 Package is very expensive, but genuinely turns any E-Class into a technological masterpiece. We recommend the E400 Wagon – it's a reasonably priced alternative to the ubiquitous crossover SUV that's still quick and fun to drive.
Our Take: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Anthony Sophinos, Automotive Editor
Of those who try to be the jack of all trades, most end up being master of none. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though, is a noteworthy exception. In each of its four distinct body styles, this dapper automobile manages to concoct a masterful blend of practicality, style and luxury; each of the available powertrains adds to that a healthy dose of refinement and response. The result is a luxury car that remains an excellent choice no matter what your needs, wants, or desires.
Best Value
With so much versatility here, it's hard to pinpoint one specific model and trim that stands out above the rest. Still, there are choices that make more sense than others. Take the E400, for instance. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 brings a noticeable power bump over the base four-cylinder in the E300, yet does not approach the ludicrous E43 and E63 AMG models.
The E400 Sedan comes standard with all-wheel-drive (rear-drive is available on the sportier Coupe and Convertible), a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, power front seats with memory and navigation. We'd add the air suspension, Premium 1 Package for the heated seats, parking assist and rear cross-traffic alert, and the Luxury Line trim, if only to have the three-pointed star ornament standing proud atop the hood. Mercedes lists this package as a no-cost option, although it does force owners into a $500 set of 18-inch wheels – that's not a big deal on a car that starts at $60,000, though. Here's our 2018 E-Class sedan as it would look coming off the delivery truck:
- Model: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Sedan
- Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
- Output: 329 horsepower / 354 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: All-wheel-drive
- MPG: 20 city / 27 hwy
- Options: Luxury Line ($0, hood ornament, comfort suspension, galvanized shift paddles), 18-inch wheels ($500, required for Luxury Line) Premium 1 Package ($3,700, blind-spot and active parking assist, rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats, proximity entry, powered trunk, Burmester sound system, wireless phone charging, and SiriusXM radio), Air Body Control ($1,900)
- Base Price: $59,895 (including $995 destination charge)
- Best Value Price: $65,995
Performance
Performance ranges from the tame 241 horsepower of the E300 to the fire-breathing E63 AMG's 603 horsepower, with two mid-range performers bridging that gap. All engines are backed by a transmission that contains nine forward gears. The good news is that there's no bad choice here; it's more a matter of balancing how fast you want to go with how much you want to spend.
For a base engine, the 2.0-liter turbo four in the E300 is composed and refined. It has no problem propelling the 4,000-pound sedan down the road, and the transmission shifts with a smoothness that befits the Mercedes name. This is a powertrain that is base only by technicality.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is also a smooth operator, but the 329 horsepower it pumps out adds a modicum of speed that's missing with the E300. 60 mph comes in 5.2 seconds for all-wheel-drive models. The E43 AMG uses this engine in a higher state of tune for even faster off-the-line acceleration and all-out speed. The E63's twin-turbo V8 and it's 603 horsepower makes both these look as tepid as day-old soup; there's not enough room in this article to heap appropriate superlatives on this thundering powerhouse of a motor. Suffice to say that super sedans don't really get better than this.
On the road, all iterations of E-Class handle with poise, thanks to a well-sorted suspension that hushes most road imperfections with ease. For an even more supple ride, the optional air suspension manages to bestow the E-Class with a ride that rivals it big flagship brother, the S-Class. This underbody chicanery lets the driver lower or raise the ride height at will, and can respond in real time to undulations in the road. It's well worth the $1,900.
Style
Old Mercedes models were stolid and stoic inside and out. Every itinerant of the 2018 E-Class, though, eschews the shackles of the past and embraces emotion. The sedan has proportions that elude to it's rear-drive nature, while the almost-formal roofline means the profile is elegant and visibility – which has become something of a luxury in today's cars – is still excellent. The four-door's flanks have subtle sculpting and character lines that ensure there's no slab-sided blandness to hamper the overall vibe, which is one that says this is a vehicle of discerning taste. The AMG's more aggressive bumper, power-dome hood and slightly lower ride height are enough to instead make that vibe one of discerning speed.
Turning this sedan into a wagon enhances all of this, and it's elongated roof that stretches back and dips down makes it look impossibly long, low, and muscular. Coupes and cabriolets, on the hand, are rather flamboyant when compared to their more practical counterparts. Rooflines are faster, beltlines are higher, and the long-hood-short-deck proportions are decidedly more pronounced. Whatever old-school M-B conservatism remains in the design of the sedan and wagon disappears in the overtly stylish two-doors.
One perk of going the two-door or open-top route is the opportunity to gaze unobstructed at the richly appointed interior that graces E-Classes of all guises. Open the door or lower the top, and what meets the eye is nothing like the rectilinear and restrained Mercedes cabins of old. Flowing shapes, round air vents that may have been swiped from a Maybach, quilted leather, wood and metal trim, and a centerpiece 12.3-inch touchscreen all make the guts of the E-Class a lavish place to spend time in. Features such as an available Burmester sound system and a second 12.3-inch digital cluster, as well as the 64 individual shades of ambient lighting, only add to the ritzy ambiance inside.
The Best and Worst Things
It's hard not to point to the wagon here. In a market that has seemingly given up on longroofs, Mercedes has brought to our shores a beautiful seven-passenger machine that manages to have a shade over 35 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row of seats. Not only that, it can be had in E63 AMG trimmings, with 603 horsepower and a resulting 3.3-second 0-60 mph blast.
Fuel economy isn't the best, and has an inverse relationship with the E-Class horsepower hierarchy; more power, more frequent fuel stops. The best fuel economy comes from the rear-drive E300 sedan, which can muster 22 miles per gallon city, 30 highway, and 25 combined. The worst, to no one's surprise, is the E63, that struggles to return 15/22/18.
Right For?
Luxury buyers looking for a sumptuous interior, handsome styling, and powerful engines would be right at home in any of the four E-Class body styles.
Wrong For?
Anyone whose priority is fuel economy or being green would be disappointed with the E-Class, which prioritizes go-fast performance over go-far performance.
The Bottom Line
The E-Class can be anything to anyone, from a 603-horsepower station wagon to an E400 convertible. Its versatility and sustained excellence throughout the lineup separates the E-Class from the pack and makes it an excellent choice for anyone desiring a luxury motorcar. Mercedes has long claimed "The best or nothing," and the 2018 E-Class seems to fully validate that philosophy.
