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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class represents the breadth of the marque's excellence. It doesn't matter which body style is chosen, or which powertrain is preferred. In all of its many iterations, the versatile E-Class seems to exude the defining qualities that give the Mercedes reputation a firm ground to stand on.The 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class benefits from numerous updates designed to keep this perennial favorite ahead of jealous competitors.
What's New for 2019
Buyers will be happy to learn that more power has been coaxed out of the mid-level twin-turbocharged V6 models for 2019. The 33 additional horsepower and extra 15 pound-feet of torque means that total output stands at 362 horses and 369 lb-ft. Mercedes seems to think that the extra oomph is worth a name change, as an E 450 moniker can now be found where the old E 400 trunk badge used to be.
There's also a bit of nameplate chicanery on the performance side of things. Prior to this year, the AMG E 43 had been the milder of the two AMG-spec models. Now, to keep sufficient breathing room between the mass-market V6 and the AMG-infused cars, a new AMG E 53 model usurps the old E 43. With a freshly-minted straight-six engine, a bevy of performance enhancements, and a stout 429 hp, it's an attractive alternative to the six-figure AMG E 63.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The choice begins with body style – there's a traditional sedan, long-roofed wagon, slick coupe, and sun-seeking convertible. Engines can be had with four, six, or eight cylinders, depending on your cash reserves and penchant for excess horsepower. Whatever you pick, no one variant is any less distinctive than the others.
Probably the most interesting standard feature is the built-in car-to-x communication technology. This taste of tomorrow sends warnings about hazards or traffic conditions to a central notification system that then relays the information to other cars with this technology. Right now, it's more gimmicky than useful. But the future is coming faster than we might think. As this kind of technology becomes more widely adopted, it has the potential to save drivers a lot of stress and heartache.
All E-Class models offer an optional Burmester sound system with 13 speakers and 590 watts. If that's not enough, a 23-speaker, 1,450 watt High-End 3D sound system also can be found on the options sheet. It's $5,400, but consider it a must-have if you want to hear every last bit of sound from your favorite songs. Other tech that has widespread availability includes a $990 head-up display, $440 power rear sunshade, and an $850 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
There's a million and one packages on tap for the E-Class. The $800 Exterior Lighting Package includes LED lights with active-curve technology and adaptive high-beam assist. A Warmth and Comfort Package brings rapid-heating front seats, heated front armrests, and a heated steering wheel. The Driver Assistance Package is $2,250 and includes all the active-safety features you can think of: adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, lane-change assist, and automatic emergency braking are all included in this worthwhile package. The $1,290 Parking Assist Package makes finagling into tight spaces a little easier with rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera system, and active parking assist. A number of packages that offer distinct exterior trimmings or interior bits are also available, as are packages with additional cloud or concierge services.
E300
The sedan-only E 300 is the tamest member of the E-Class family, with prices beginning at $54,495 (all prices include a $995 destination charge). Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque; it's mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. It goes from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds (6.3 with all-wheel drive), and EPA-estimated gas mileage checks in at 21 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 combined.
Befitting of the Mercedes-Benz name, there's a bevy of standard features even on the lowliest E-Class. The list includes niceties like power front seats, dual-zone climate control, cloud-based digital services, power-folding mirrors, and folding rear seats. The tech-savvy will appreciate the standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and HD radio.
Besides the packages mentioned above, buyers can choose between the Premium and Convenience Packages. The Convenience is $2,400 and includes blind-spot monitoring, SiriusXM radio, heated front seats, an electronic trunk closer, and keyless start. The Premium includes all that as well as the 13-speaker Burmester sound system and costs $3,100. Air suspension is $1,900. All-wheel-drive – known as 4MATIC in Mercedes parlance – is another $2,500 over a base rear-wheel-drive E 300.
E450
Slotting in above the E 300 is the E 450 trim, which starts at $60,945 for the sedan. The E 450's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is an optional engine on the sedan and the base engine for wagons, but is the only choice for coupes and convertibles. Power stands at 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and a nine-speed automatic handles gearshifts. 4MATIC is standard on the E 450 sedan and wagon, and remains optional on coupes and convertibles.
Additional standard features over the E 300 include additional airbags, sport brakes, a lowered suspension, and brake-based torque vectoring for better handling. Luxury and convenience features all are mostly unchanged from what the E 300 offers as standard. Options and packages are also largely the same as what's offered on the E 300.
E43 AMG
New for this year, the AMG E 53 replaces the old AMG E 43 as the first foothold on the AMG stepladder. It's powered by a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six that makes 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque; an overboost function briefly pushes horsepower up to 450. It's hooked up to a nine-speed transmission and uses a rearward-biased all-wheel-drive system. Other noteworthy specs include a 48-volt electrical system that offers hybrid functionality, a 130 mph top speed, and an AMG sport suspension.
Details are still scant, but expect most standard-equipment luxury and convenience features to carry over from the E 450. Additional standard features on the E 53 include air suspension, larger AMG-spec brakes, a virtual widescreen cockpit with a full digital instrumentation display, an AMG-spec steering wheel, and special cosmetic touches like a power-dome hood and a rear diffuser. Options and packages are still hush-hush as well, but expect at the least some of the widely-available E-Class packages to be available. Mercedes has also alluded that there will be AMG performance seats and carbon-fiber trim on the options sheet.
The AMG E 53 will be initially released as a sedan, with availability for the coupe and convertible to follow. Pricing has not yet been released.
E63 S AMG
The biggest and baddest bruiser of them all is the AMG E 63, which is available as either sedan ($105,395) or wagon ($107,945). The heart of the E 63 is a brutally powerful 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. It's enough firepower to haul this 4,500-pound machine to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and let it flirt with a top speed of 186 mph. There's even a Drift Mode to facilitate tail-happy antics. In short, it's a supercar without the cape.
The standard features list doesn't grow too much longer here compared to other E-Class models, but there's Nappa leather, active parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, inductive wireless charging, Burmester surround-sound audio, and SiriusXM radio.
Options on the AMG E 63 include ceramic composite brakes, a performance exhaust, in-car Wi-Fi, and an AMG head-up display. Available packages are largely similar to lesser models.
If you don't want to swing for a full-bore AMG, the E 450 is the way to go in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup. There's plenty of power to complement the luxurious fittings expected of a Mercedes, and the $60,000 price tag isn't unreasonable, either. When it comes to a well-rounded luxury car, it's hard to beat the E 450.
