The New Mercedes-Benz E-Class: A Masterclass in Comfort and Luxury

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is here, and it has one simple mission: to be a better E-Class than ever before. The German automaker’s iconic luxury sedan has always set the bar for comfort, ride quality, and back-seat pampering, and this latest generation builds on those qualities. But how does it measure up to its competitors, particularly the BMW 5 Series? Let’s dive into the details and find out.

The Ultimate Back Seat Experience

One of the standout features of the new E-Class is its back seat, which is nothing short of extraordinary. Comfort is the name of the game here. Whether you’re traveling long distances or navigating through city traffic, the E-Class ensures you’re riding in what feels like a personal cocoon. As experienced firsthand during an early morning shoot, it’s almost too easy to fall asleep in the back seat, thanks to the car’s exceptional ride quality, noise insulation, and refined suspension.

Key Back-Seat Features:

• Electric sunblinds for ultimate privacy and comfort.
• A manual sunblind for the quarter glass—though a bit inconvenient, it’s the only manual adjustment you’ll have to make.
• Adjustable seatback angle ranging from 26 to a sleep-inducing 36 degrees.
• Extended under-thigh support that can move forward by 40 mm.
• Electric control for the front passenger seat (from the rear) to maximize legroom.
• Wireless charging in the back seat, along with two USB-C chargers.
• Plenty of ventilation options, including manual and automatic controls for personalized climate settings.

In terms of audio, the E-Class is equipped with a Burmester sound system, but there’s a small catch. The 4D sound experience is limited to the front seats, which means back-seat passengers miss out on some of the immersive audio features. There’s also a dashboard-mounted camera for video calls and selfies, though this is again restricted to those sitting in the front.

One Missing Feature: Ventilation and Massage

Despite the overwhelming comfort, there’s one notable drawback. The rear seats don’t offer ventilation or massage functions, which might come as a disappointment given the E-Class’s focus on luxury. For a car that prides itself on rear-seat comfort, it’s surprising that these features were omitted. However, the overall comfort levels more than make up for this shortfall.

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What About the Front Seats?

Jumping into the front seat of the new E-Class reveals a well-thought-out digital interface and an intuitive layout. The front seats also don’t have massage or ventilation functions, but they now come with soft cushions for the headrests, a welcome addition for long drives.

The E-Class’s infotainment system has also been upgraded, featuring a combination of a 14.4-inch central screen and a 12.3-inch passenger display, creating what Mercedes calls the “super screen.” While this setup isn’t as expansive as the single-piece hyperscreen seen in some other models, it provides plenty of digital real estate.

Driving Dynamics: Built for Comfort, Not Sportiness

When it comes to driving, the E-Class stays true to its DNA. It’s designed for comfort, luxury, and refinement rather than outright performance. Mercedes offers various drive modes, including a Sport Mode, but it doesn’t significantly alter the car’s character. In fact, you might wonder why you’d ever need to put this car in Sport Mode. It holds onto gears a bit longer, and the steering gets heavier, but the suspension and overall comfort remain unchanged.

Powertrain Options:

• The E200 petrol variant, which produces 201 bhp and 320 Nm of torque. It’s equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system, providing an extra boost of around 20 horsepower when needed.
• The E220 diesel, generating 194 bhp and 440 Nm of torque, which fits the E-Class’s laid-back, comfortable character perfectly.
• The top-of-the-line E450 with a straight-six turbo petrol engine that can rocket from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds—a performance stat that used to belong exclusively to sports cars.

The E-Class also impresses with its ride comfort. The car is fitted with frequency-selective dampers, which automatically adjust based on speed and road conditions. At lower speeds, the ride is soft and compliant, while at higher speeds, the dampers firm up to provide better control. Although the BMW 5 Series with its high-profile tires may edge out the E-Class in low-speed comfort, the Mercedes delivers a more balanced ride overall.

Design and Digital Upgrades

In terms of design, the new E-Class doesn’t stray too far from its predecessor, maintaining the sleek, understated elegance that Mercedes is known for. The 18-inch wheels fill the arches nicely, and despite the car’s extended wheelbase (15 mm longer than the previous model), it doesn’t feel cumbersome or overly large on the road.

The E-Class also boasts the latest in digital advancements, including the MBUX operating system, which is now easier to use than ever. The touch controls for the air conditioning and infotainment settings are better integrated than in previous generations, making it less of a distraction when adjusting settings on the go.

Safety First: A New Benchmark

As with every new generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, safety is paramount. The new E-Class continues this tradition by raising the bar. Every car comes with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, a testament to Mercedes’ commitment to passenger protection. The E-Class is also the first right-hand-drive, long-wheelbase E-Class of this generation to be made in India, with all the required safety certifications completed in Germany.

Pricing and Value for Money

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the pricing of the new E-Class. Despite the generational leap and all the new features, Mercedes has kept the price increase minimal. The E200, for instance, starts at ₹78.5 lakh, only about ₹2 lakh more than the outgoing model, making it a great value proposition for a luxury car in this segment.

Mercedes has clearly understood what the Indian E-Class buyer wants: comfort, technology, safety, and refinement, all without an astronomical price tag. With its blend of luxury, practicality, and relatively reasonable pricing, it’s clear that the E-Class is positioned to remain the best-selling luxury sedan in its class.

Conclusion: The King of Comfort Still Reigns

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It doesn’t chase sportiness or aggressive handling; instead, it doubles down on what has made it a household name for luxury sedan buyers: comfort, refinement, and pampering. Mercedes has hit the nail on the head, offering everything their customers want—and maybe a little more.

However, the real test will come when we pit the new E-Class against its closest rival, the BMW 5 Series, in a direct comparison. Stay tuned for that.

FAQs

1. What engine options are available for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

• The new E-Class comes with a 2.0L turbo petrol engine in the E200 variant, producing 201 bhp. There’s also an E220 diesel variant and the top-tier E450 with a straight-six turbo petrol engine.

1. Does the E-Class have a hybrid system?

• Yes, the E-Class features a 48V mild hybrid system in the E200 variant, providing an additional 20 horsepower when needed.

1. Is the E-Class comfortable for long drives?

• Absolutely. The E-Class excels in ride comfort, thanks to its frequency-selective dampers and extended wheelbase, making it perfect for long journeys.

1. Does the E-Class offer rear-seat ventilation?

• Unfortunately, ventilation and massage features are not available in the rear seats of the new E-Class.

1. How much does the new E-Class cost in India?

• The base E200 is priced at ₹78.5 lakh, while the E450 variant will be available by Diwali.

1. What’s the difference between the E-Class and the BMW 5 Series in terms of comfort?

• While both cars offer excellent comfort, the BMW 5 Series may have a slight edge in low-speed ride quality due to its high-profile tires.

1. Does the new E-Class have the Adas system?

• Yes, but a key improvement is that Adas now stays off when you turn it off, rather than resetting to ‘on’ every time you restart the car. This is a welcome change for Indian road conditions.