2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　There are some truly great midsize luxury sedans on sale today, but only one can be considered the best. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class rightfully deserves the top spot in its segment, and you'll get a similar greatness with the coupe, convertible and wagon variants too. With all of these body styles and a diverse selection of engine and trim levels, there's likely an E-Class to fit your desires and budget.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$175/mo  for E-Class E 350

　　E-Class E 350

　　E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $54,050 MSRPE 350 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $56,550 MSRPE 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $61,550 MSRPE 450 4MATIC 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $66,850 MSRPE 450 4MATIC 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $73,900 MSRPE 450 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $64,350 MSRPE 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $71,400 MSRPE 450 Sport 4MATIC 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $66,100 MSRPE 450 AMG Line 4MATIC 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $66,600 MSRPE 450 Luxury 4MATIC 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $66,950 MSRPAMG E 53 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $73,800 MSRPAMG E 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $74,950 MSRPAMG E 53 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $81,650 MSRPAMG E 63 S 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $107,350 MSRPAMG E 63 S 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $111,750 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　For 2020, Mercedes has added a bit more power to the base E 350 (formerly the E 300). You also get a few more standard features that used to be optional. Otherwise, the E-Class returns mostly unchanged, which is a good thing. We continue to praise its refined interior that is as comfortable as it is attractive. There is also a long list of customization options to set yours apart from the rest. And we're fans of the way Mercedes blends the classic luxury aesthetic with all of the latest tech offerings.

　　There are a few minor downsides, such as smaller-than-average cargo capacity and a rather stiff ride quality from the standard suspension. But if you're in the market for a midsize luxury car, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in all of its guises deserves your consideration if not adulation.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the E-Class drive? We tested the AMG E 53 sedan. It's docile and user-friendly at city speeds but can switch to a high-performance personality at a moment's notice. In zzdcar testing, our test car ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, impressively quick for a luxury sedan. The quick-shifting nine-speed transmission never hesitates in finding the right gear when you bury the throttle.

　　The steering, while lacking some feedback, is very accurate, and the steering wheel feels robust in your hands. Small inputs make for impressive amounts of response and precision. Despite the E 53's hefty curb weight, it handles extremely well. Unless you need the most expensive E-Class, the E 63, purely for bragging rights, the performance of the E 53 is all you'll ever really need.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the E-Class? The E 53 is comfortable whether you're commuting to work or headed out for an extended highway trip. But its low-profile tires and sport-tuned suspension mean there isn't as much cushion to absorb impacts. You feel more of the road surface than in other softer-riding luxury cars.

　　Both the front and rear seats are comfortable for long periods and provide you with enough support to hold you in place around turns. The climate control system can cool or heat the cabin quickly, and redundant controls help dial in your ideal temperature. The optional heated and ventilated seats also work great.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Our main gripe with the E-Class' interior is the way Mercedes integrated the old COMAND and new MBUX infotainment systems. There are several redundant buttons and controls and they're difficult to commit to memory. You'll likely feel a bit intimidated by the multiple approaches to small tasks.

　　Otherwise, the E-Class' interior design is excellent. It's easy to get in and out, and the driver's seat and steering wheel are highly adjustable to make drivers of just about any size happy. Outward visibility is also quite good thanks to a low dashboard and tall windows.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The E-Class' combination of Mercedes' old COMAND system and the new MBUX system isn't ideal. It has all the shiny, crisp screens of the new MBUX system but there's no touchscreen functionality, so smartphone integration is frustrating. The MBUX voice controls are thankfully excellent and fill in the functionality gaps.

　　The optional Burmester sound system has good sound quality and easy-to-adjust settings, but maxed-out sound levels leave a little bit to be desired. The E-Class' driver aids work effectively and aren't distracting. There are also some unique features such as Pre-Safe Sound.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The E-Class' trunk is average in size. A wide opening and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats help make the most of that space. Small-item storage is also average. The small storage space in the center console is only big enough for typical-size smartphones, for instance, and the cupholders aren't big enough for large water bottles.

　　For child safety seat installation, the E-Class has easy-to-locate bottom anchor points and three top tether points. There's plenty of rear seat space to fit most child seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We tested the E 53, which gets an EPA estimate of 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. On our mixed-driving 115-mile test route, we observed a disappointing 22.9 mpg. Our best result during our test was a highway-only tank of 24.5 mpg. Real-world fuel economy in the E 53 will depend largely on how often you decide to bury your foot in the throttle and have a bit of fun.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the E-Class a good value? Few rivals can match Mercedes-Benz when it comes to build quality. Cabin fit-and-finish are impressive, which translates to a satisfying driving experience. The downside is pricing. You get a lot of features, a high level of customization and an excellent driving experience, but you pay more than you would with a lot of other luxury sedans. We think it's worth it.

　　Mercedes matches BMW and Audi with a basic and powertrain warranty of four years/50,000 miles as well as roadside assistance covering the same. But Cadillac and Lexus have longer coverage.

　　

Wildcard

9.5/10

　　The E 53 is fun to drive no matter what the circumstances. It's comfortable and classy in the city and can blast away from a stoplight or carve up a twisty road if the mood hits you. It's a large vehicle, but it feels light and handles corners better than almost anything in the class. The E 53 also provides serious personality without being shouty or high-strung. It's obvious that it's performance-oriented and there's a pleasant exhaust note, but there's nothing harsh about it.

　　

Which E-Class does zzdcar recommend?

The midgrade Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic gets our recommendation for its powerful V6 engine that returns similar fuel economy figures as the base four-cylinder. The E 450 also isn't significantly more expensive than an E 350 4Matic. We also suggest adding the air suspension and Burmester audio option for the full luxury effect.

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a midsize luxury vehicle that comes in four body styles: a five-passenger sedan, a seven-passenger (thanks to a fold-down, rear-facing third row) wagon, and a four-passenger coupe and convertible.

　　The sedan, coupe and convertible all come standard with rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive (dubbed 4Matic) either optional or standard, depending on the engine and body style. The four basic trim levels are tied to different powertrains: E 350 (sedan only), E 450 (sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible), AMG E 53 (sedan, coupe, convertible), and AMG E 63 S (sedan and wagon).

　　Standard equipment for the E 350 sedan includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque), a nine-speed automatic transmission, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, a sunroof, simulated leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front seats. You also get a 12.3-inch central display screen, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and advanced safety features that include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　The E 450 has all of the E 350's equipment plus a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (362 hp, 369 lb-ft). From here, you can get more luxury-oriented features as part of the Convenience and Premium packages.

　　For more power and some upgraded equipment, there's the AMG E 53, which comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine (429 hp, 384 lb-ft). The AMG E 53 also pads on AMG-developed or -tuned powertrain and suspension components.

　　At the top of the horsepower heap is the AMG E 63 S. It gets the E 53's equipment plus a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (603 hp, 627 lb-ft), additional performance upgrades and more standard features.

　　Several packages are available throughout the model range, and they mostly center on active driving systems and comfort features. These include the Driver Assistance and Parking Assistance packages.

　　Many of the options from upper models can be ordered on the less expensive trims. Other notable options — whether stand-alone features or part of packages — include numerous upholstery and trim selections, an adaptive air suspension, an air fragrance system, a head-up display, multicontour front seats, and the Burmester sound system.

　　

2020 E-Class Highlights

Type: AMG E 53SedanCoupeConvertibleAMG E 63 SWagonSedan

　　Trim: E 350E 350 4MATICE 450 4MATICAMG E 53AMG E 63 SE 350

　　

Base MSRP	$54,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$175/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles