Long a mainstay of the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the E-Class is a luxurious, beautifully appointed sedan that coddles and intrigues at every opportunity.
This year, Mercedes-Benz drops V-8-powered versions of the E-Class from the lineup due to chip shortages, which means the delicious AMG E63 is gone ? or more likely on hold. Adaptive headlights and automatic high-beams are newly standard. Not quite a fair trade, but we?ll still take it.
The E-Class comes in sedan, tall wagon, coupe, and convertible forms. E350 versions feature turbo-4 power, while E450 and AMG E53 models swap in a turbocharged inline-6 with a mild-hybrid system for more power and less fuel consumption. Rear- and all-wheel-drive versions are available, depending on the powertrain and body.
Base E350 sedans rate 23 mpg city, 31 highway, 26 combined, decent figures for a big four-door. Even the E450 with all-wheel drive impresses at 23/30/25 mpg, though other versions slip to 24 mpg combined.
With a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS, the E-Class lineup aces every crash test. Standard safety tech includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, and a rear-collision mitigation system called Pre-Safe. Optional tech includes a surround-view camera system to a hands-free driver assist system in stop-and-go traffic at speeds up to 35 mph.
Model Lineup
The E-Class range comes in E350, E450, and AMG E53 guise, though what?s underhood depends on the body type. Wagons and coupes come only as E450s, while convertibles can be built as E450s or E53s. The sedan is offered in all three variants.
None is basic. Starting at around $56,000, the base E350 sedan comes with 18-inch wheels, twin 12.3-inch screens, smartphone compatibility, voice commands, keyless start and entry, heated power front seats with synthetic leather upholstery, and 64-way ambient lighting. Leather, navigation, upgraded audio, and sporty styling bits are all available.
An E450 with all-wheel drive runs about $63,000, making it an intriguing upgrade over the E350 for drivers interested in a little more shove.
Our personal favorite is the E450 All-Terrain, a high-riding wagon with off-roady-styled bits that costs $70,000 to start, though many will have extra options pushing their price tags to $80,000 or more.
Coupes and droptops are pricier than sedan siblings, but that?s the cost of looking good ? really good, that is.
Exterior
From handsome to rugged to downright sporty, the four body styles offered in the E-Class range should satisfy every buyer.
Outside, they?re curvy and voluptuous, but with few wasted curves or lines. Sedans have a conservative shape against sleek coupes and sexy droptops. The wagon was recast a few years ago as an Audi Allroad rival, so its chunky looks are ready for Aspen or Park City, though don?t plan to venture too far into the back country.
Slim LED headlights, jeweled grilles, big wheels, and a huge array of colors elevate the experience.
Interior
Twin 12.3-inch screens dominate the aviation-esque dash, which looks more like the cockpit of a high-end private plane than a sedan. The left screen handles instrumentation, while the touchscreen on the right does just about everything else.
Gorgeous trim and color options allow for considerable customization, too.
Standard synthetic leather trim feels like the real stuff and offers all-day support up front. Optional leather, hot massagers, cooling, and more bolstering can be make-it or break-it deals for some shoppers.
Rear-seat room is good in sedans and wagons, but a bit tight in two-doors. But you don?t want one of those for practical reasons, right?
Wagons are tops when it comes to cargo space, easily besting many SUVs. Sedans are somewhat skimpy, though two-door versions are much tighter.
Driving Impressions
The E-Class impresses enough in E350 form that you might not need to step up to turbo-6 versions. With 255 hp on tap, these cars feel remarkably fleet of foot. Their 9-speed automatic transmissions work with seamless precision.
The E450 ups the ante to 362 hp, but it feels even faster. Look for a second off of the 0-60 mph sprint, or just under five seconds in coupe and sedan form.
AMG E53 models have been through the full Affalterbach gym. With 429 hp on tap, they?re righteously rapid, and their underhood muscle is backed up by sharper handling and a firmer ride.
Adaptive dampers come on all but the base versions to help quell big wheels with narrow tires. The optional air suspension ? standard in wagon, convertible, and AMG versions ? goes a step farther by shrugging off even the worst pavement. You?ll forget just how quickly that infrastructure around you is crumbling.
Final Word
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup is a masterful range of coupes, convertibles, sedans, and wagons. You can?t go wrong here.
?by Andrew Ganz, with driving impressions by The Car Connection
