2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Overview

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class enters its sixth generation with a confident stride, blending classic luxury with modern innovation. Offered as a midsize luxury sedan or a lifted All-Terrain wagon, it seats five in the sedan and up to seven in the wagon configuration. This year's updates include a sleeker exterior, a more tech-forward cabin, and electrified powertrains across the lineup. The E-Class continues to define the segment it helped create, competing with the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Genesis G80, and Lexus ES. Mercedes positions the E-Class as a bridge between the compact C-Class and the flagship S-Class, offering a refined experience that's both approachable and aspirational.

Powertrains and Performance

The E-Class lineup begins with the E350, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with a mild hybrid system producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It's available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The E450 4MATIC steps up to a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, also with mild hybrid assistance, delivering 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the range is the AMG E53 Hybrid 4MATIC+, a plug-in hybrid that combines a turbocharged inline-six with a 161-horsepower electric motor for a total system output of 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque-or 603 horsepower with Race Start mode engaged. All models use a 9-speed automatic transmission. While the sedan isn't rated for towing, the All-Terrain wagon offers modest capability for light-duty hauling. The AMG E53 plug-in hybrid provides an all-electric driving range of 42 miles thanks to its 28.6-kWh battery.

Pricing and Features

Pricing for the 2025 E-Class starts at $62,450 for the E350 and climbs to around $88,000 for the AMG E53 Hybrid. Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional features range from massaging seats and a Burmester 4D surround sound system to a head-up display and the MBUX Superscreen that spans the dashboard. Safety technology is extensive, with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, lane keeping assist, and a 360-degree camera system available. The All-Terrain wagon adds off-road drive modes, hill-descent control, and increased ground clearance for light trail use.

Driving Experience

Engine performance across the lineup is impressive. The E350 offers smooth and composed acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 6.1 seconds-more than adequate for daily driving. The E450 sharpens the experience with a brisk 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds, delivering effortless passing power and refined inline-six smoothness. The AMG E53 Hybrid is a powerhouse, launching from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds when Race Start mode is activated. The 9-speed automatic transmission performs with precision, offering seamless shifts and quick downshifts when needed.

Fuel economy is solid for a luxury vehicle. The E350 with rear-wheel drive is rated at 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the all-wheel-drive version drops slightly to 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The E450 4MATIC returns 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. All models use premium fuel and feature a 17.4-gallon tank, giving the E350 a highway driving range of roughly 574 miles. The AMG E53 Hybrid achieves 23 mpg on gasoline and 59 MPGe when factoring in electric driving. Real-world tests suggest the E-Class often exceeds EPA estimates on highway drives, with the E450 sometimes reaching up to 34 mpg.

Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is standard on all but the base E350, offering confident traction in all weather conditions. The All-Terrain wagon adds an Off-Road mode that raises the air suspension to nearly eight inches of ground clearance and optimizes throttle and traction settings for uneven terrain. It also includes hill-descent control and a front-facing camera to help navigate trails. While not designed for serious off-roading, these features make the All-Terrain surprisingly capable for weekend adventures.

Comfort and Handling

Ride quality is a standout feature of the E-Class. The E350 and E450 offer a plush, composed ride, with adaptive dampers that absorb bumps and road imperfections with ease. The All-Terrain's air suspension adds a layer of floaty refinement, especially in Comfort mode. Switching to Sport mode firms things up slightly without compromising overall comfort. The AMG E53, while firmer, maintains a civilized ride thanks to its performance-tuned adaptive suspension.

Handling is graceful and confident. Steering is light but accurate, with decent road feel. Body roll is minimal, especially in the E450 and AMG trims, which benefit from adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering. Braking performance is strong across the board, though the E350's pedal can feel slightly touchy. The AMG model offers more aggressive braking and sharper turn-in, making it surprisingly agile for a midsize luxury car.

Interior noise levels are impressively low. Wind and road noise are well-muted, and the mild-hybrid systems operate quietly. Compared to rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, the E-Class is among the quietest in its class, especially when equipped with acoustic glass and the optional Burmester sound system.

Interior and Technology

Inside, the E-Class cabin is a masterclass in modern luxury. Materials include soft-touch leather, open-pore wood, and metal speaker grilles. The dashboard design is clean and futuristic, with ambient lighting and minimal physical controls. The MBUX Superscreen stretches across the dash, offering a high-tech vibe without overwhelming the user. Touch and voice controls are intuitive, and the overall layout feels both elegant and functional.

The infotainment system includes a 14.4-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an optional passenger display. Augmented reality navigation, wireless charging, and onboard Wi-Fi enhance connectivity. Safety systems include Mercedes' PRESAFE suite, active brake assist, blind spot monitoring with exit warning, adaptive high beams, and a surround-view camera. The GUARD 360 security system adds peace of mind with remote monitoring and alerts.

Seating and Cargo

Seating comfort is excellent in both rows. The front seats offer 10-way power adjustment, heating, and optional massage functions. Rear seats are supportive but sit slightly low, which may affect legroom for taller passengers. Entry and exit are easy thanks to wide door openings and a low step-in height. The sedan seats five, while the All-Terrain wagon can accommodate up to seven with a fold-away third row that's best suited for children.

Cargo space in the sedan is modest, with 12.7 cubic feet in the trunk. The rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split to expand storage. The All-Terrain wagon offers significantly more room, with 33.1 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 64.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. Interior storage includes a deep center console, generous door pockets, and a sunglasses holder. Multiple USB-C ports are standard, and the wagon includes an available 115V AC outlet for added versatility.

Verdict

The 2025 E-Class is one of the most well-rounded vehicles in its class. It excels in comfort, technology, and refinement, offering a serene driving experience with just enough performance to keep things engaging. Its strengths include a quiet cabin, advanced tech, and elegant design. Weaknesses are few but include limited rear seat legroom in the sedan and a trunk that's smaller than some competitors.

For most buyers, the E450 4MATIC represents the best value, combining strong performance, all-wheel drive, and a rich feature set without reaching AMG pricing.