The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class remains one of the best luxury sedans on the road today, boasting a smooth ride, a comfortable and premium cabin, and many available tech features and driver aids. A little more trunk space would be welcome, but as a whole, the E-Class is a real star.Read full review
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of Edmunds' favorite luxury sedans. Just as you'd expect of a Mercedes, the E-Class has a classy and comfortable cabin. It also boasts a smooth ride, quick acceleration, and loads of available tech and luxury features. Slotting between the smaller C-Class and flagship S-Class in Mercedes' vast lineup, the E-Class hits a sweet spot in terms of size, price and features. Oh, and if you want a wagon, Mercedes has you covered. You can get it as the E 450 All-Terrain or, for 2026, the AMG E 53 wagon.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Very Good
7.6
out of 10
We drove the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Driving experience
8.8/10
How does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class drive? We tested the four-cylinder E 350 and the six-cylinder E 450. At our test track, the E 450 was the more impressive of the two, needing just 4.7 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. That's certainly quick, and the powertrain's smoothness and responsiveness were even more impressive. Whichever engine you choose, shifts from the nine-speed automatic are nearly imperceptible. We also like that the E-Class' braking is smooth and powerful and its handling is composed. Everything is easy in the E 450, from driving in stop-and-go traffic to merging on the freeway. The four-cylinder E 350 can start to feel like it runs out of breath at higher speeds.
Our test car was equipped with the optional Airmatic suspension. It's not an inexpensive option, but our editors were amazed by the ride quality over notoriously choppy freeways and uneven roads. We'd steer clear of the optional 21-inch wheels, but even their tiny sidewalls couldn't ruin the ride quality.
Numerous (but optional) driver assistance functions make the E-Class easy to live with day to day, though the adaptive regenerative braking can be a little jerky at higher speeds.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class? Comfort is undoubtedly the strength of the E-Class. Like the ride, the seats are definitely tailored toward a luxury experience. Soft and supportive, they are comfortable for hours behind the wheel. Cabin noise is impressively low, and most road and wind noise is hushed even at higher speeds. Our only real gripe with the interior comfort stems from the climate control system and its inability to keep up on hot days.
The driving position is excellent and, thanks to a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustability, can be tailored to suit almost any driver. The space around the driver feels snug and personal, but there's enough room that it never feels confining. Rear passengers, especially if they're over 6 feet tall, will also feel a bit more snug than they will in a BMW 5 Series.
The E-Class' major controls are easily identified. But the depth and complexity of the infotainment system and its commands can be a bit overwhelming. You'll have to overcome the learning curve before you get comfortable with using every feature. Also, the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are multi-functional but can be distracting to use while driving.
In-cabin tech
9.7/10
How’s the tech? Technology dominates the interior of the E-Class. The displays are bright and can show copious amounts of information. The navigation, including its search feature, is particularly good. We also loved our test car's optional Burmester 4D surround-sound system.
Voice controls are an integral part of the MBUX experience, and while they understand natural language and control a vast number of settings and adjustments, we found them to be a little hyperactive, changing everything from temperature settings to entering an errant destination in the navigation simply based on conversations with passengers.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard and connect wirelessly. You can use the Mercedes app to lock, unlock and drive the E-Class too.
Storage & cargo
6/10
How’s storage and cargo? While its trunk trails rivals in outright capacity, the E-Class is still a practical sedan. The trunk is nicely shaped and can fit several suitcases. And with the rear seats folded down, longer items can be transported without issue.
Inside, the E-Class does prioritize style over storage space for small items, but it can hold a decent amount of everyday items, and most of them can be kept out of sight. We appreciate the well-sized, well-lined door pockets too.
Value
7.8/10
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good value? The E-Class is pricey, no doubt. Odds are, an equivalent Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series will be less expensive than the E-Class you're looking for. Still, build quality and materials are superb, so there's always proof of where your money has gone. We're also impressed by the E-Class' robust set of standard features. For our money, we'd pay a bit more for the E 450 and its more powerful engine for the best E-Class experience.
Warranty coverage of four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain components is about average. Other automakers offer superior free maintenance and roadside assistance coverage.
MPG
5/10
How’s the fuel economy? We tested the E 350 4Matic, which the EPA estimates will get 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving. On our test route, our test vehicle got a disappointing 25.9 mpg. Curiously, an E 450 we also tested got 28.6 mpg combined, which is better than its EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined. We attribute the E 350's results to the smaller four-cylinder engine having to work harder to keep up with traffic and climb longer grades.
X factor
10/10
The E-Class has X factor to spare — a fact will become readily apparent after just minutes behind the wheel. The E-Class oozes both traditional luxury and cutting-edge technology in equal measure. It's a sublime driving experience. Very few vehicles on sale today will have you more relaxed when you arrive at your destination than an E-Class.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a five-passenger luxury car that's available in three main versions: E 350, E 450 and the high-performance AMG E 53. They differ mainly in how much power their engines produce. The E-Class also comes as either a sedan or a wagon. For the wagon, Mercedes sells it as the E 450 (called the E 450 4Matic All-Terrain) or the AMG E 53. All E-Class trims, except the base E 350, come standard with all-wheel drive (4Matic). Compare the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class trim levels in-depth.
Which E-Class trim does Edmunds recommend?
The 2026 E-Class hasn't changed much from last year, so we still think the midlevel E 450 is the way to go. For a modest premium over the base E 350, the E 450 gets more power, standard all-wheel drive, and still achieves excellent fuel economy. The Multicontour Seating and Driver Assistance packages are also worth opting for.
Competitors to consider
Just about every luxury automaker offers a sedan that's roughly the same size and price as the E-Class, though in Edmunds' estimation, none quite live up to Mercedes' benchmark. Other notable rivals include the BMW 5 Series, the Lexus ES and the Genesis G80. If you're interested in something all-electric, there's Mercedes' own EQE sedan as well as cars like the BMW i5 or Audi A6.
Edmunds spotlight: The AMG E 53 performance hybrid
Last year, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new performance model: the AMG E 53. It pairs a turbocharged inline-six engine with a plug-in hybrid system that is powerful enough to get you from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Its plug-in hybrid battery can also provide up to an estimated 43 miles of all-electric range. It's a pretty cool combination of power and efficiency, if you ask us. Other upgrades include a sport-tuned suspension, more powerful brakes and revised styling. It might be a hybrid, but the AMG E 53 is one of the best performance sedans we've driven in a while.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
The 2024 E450 is a powerhouse. When in sports drive you literally can get pinned to your seat during a fast acceleration. The car is super quiet and extremely smooth on the highway even at 70MPH. The interior is luxurious and comfortable. The driver assist is remarkable enabling you to fully relax at highway speeds, even moving to the left automatically when a slower car is front and … returning you to the right lane when done passing. There are so many new technical features that it will take a while to rad/learn them all but I’m planning to schedule another review with the dealer. Both my wife and I love this car and would highly recommend it to others.
Some people dream of a Ferrari. Me? I want something incredibly fun to drive, comfortable, and practical. Sounds like a unicorn. But for me it comes to life with the E 450 Wagon. Some claim it’s understated. I mean it’s no G-wagon but you’re still driving around in a Mercedes. It’s never gonna be quiet but at least it isn’t screaming. It’s beautiful to drive. The cockpit makes you feel … special. The seats are incredible. The ride whisper quiet. And at 0-60 in 4.6 you can beat hot hatches off the line. All while lugging around a world of stuff. Drives like a car and carries like an SUV. Hope to have mine for a decade.
Outstanding!
5 out of 5 stars
David G., 12/13/2025
2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
I have had the car for approximately 4+ months and have put 3500 miles on it. As others have said, the ride quality is exceptional. I have almost all available options on the car. The final sticker price was just under $90k. It does take a while to achieve a level of comfort with this car, in both a physical and intuitive sense. The seat adjustments are so numerous that I kept tweaking … the seat position for about a month until I was happy, then saved the memory position. The menu interface is at first confusing and requires patience and time to master but once done is manageable. The voice response system is remarkable and quite accurate. I defer to its use while driving 90% of time. It’s easy. As many other users have noted, the touch capacitive buttons suck. They are not only difficult to master but are way too small from a functional standpoint. Mercedes needs to bite the bullet and either make them bigger and easier to use or design a different system. All in all, this is a luxurious, powerful, eminent luxury vehicle that turns heads and is comfortable and fun to drive.
Ready: Not ready yet for prime time.
4 out of 5 stars
Mohamed Rehman, 09/16/2024
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
Technology is good but not ready: dashcam has finally released software. Digital lights currently in the US are a 1k upgrade. Software may be upgraded to potential functionality in DEc 2024. Remote view( available in BMW ) is not available in this brand new designed car. Digital key works most of the time but is still not 100% dependable. Stop and Start is not as excellent as BMW. We … need to press the brake for "hold" functionality. The drive is impressive. Advance assist drive: works better than BMW.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the E-Class since its last redesign.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 E-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 E-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 13 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the E-Class ranges from 12.7 to 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Learn more
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the E-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the E-Class's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 E-Class and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 E-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 13 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 E-Class is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The least-expensive 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $63,900.
Other versions include:
E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $63,900
E 350 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $66,400
E 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $72,300
AMG E 53 HYBRID 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A) which starts at $89,600
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the next question is, which E-Class model is right for you? E-Class variants include E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A), E 350 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A), E 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A), and AMG E 53 HYBRID 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A). For a full list of E-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more