2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

Name: 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Price Range: $24,895 - $68,590

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG E 53 Sedan Exterior

+311

Few vehicles are as well-rounded and desirable as the Mercedes E-Class. It has a plush interior and some of the most cutting-edge safety features on the market. The AMG versions also provide impressive acceleration and high handling limits. There are a few drawbacks, such as the poor integration of the old Mercedes COMAND interface with the new MBUX system, but even those issues can't keep it from being one of the best midsize luxury sedans that money can buy.Read full review

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2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
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 Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Exquisite cabin that sets new standards for design and comfort
Driver assistance technology works great
Vast array of personalization options
High-horsepower AMG models are fun to drive

Cons

Sedan's cargo capacity is small for the class
Standard suspension can ride stiffly over rough surfaces

What's new

The E 350 replaces last year's E 300 and gets a bump in horsepower
A few previously optional features are now standard
Part of the fifth E-Class generation introduced for 2017

Overview

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 Drive^{Cost 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 $3.98 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$184/mo

$197/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds 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

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

9/10

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 Edmunds 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

8/10

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 Edmunds 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.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#4 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class from 2008-2022.}

$646/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.5x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.5%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

5 (69%)

4 (10%)

3 (5%)

2 (12%)

1 (4%)

4.3

55 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Great Daily Driver

Anonymous, 03/02/2019

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 300 Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz E300 is a great luxurious daily driver. The added luxury package adds more classic exterior styling with the traditional Mercedes upright star, that I think creates a much more elegant look than the standard sports styling. The luxury package also improves ride quality by adding more comfort-tuned electronic suspension which allows the car to simply glide over … bumpy roads. The luxury package also improves the interior by adding very rich and soft leather seats, and stitching going all around the tops of the doors and the dashboard. The interior is highly elevated by the beautiful standard ambient lighting and the optional dual 12.3-inch displays that make the interior look high end and modern, while the wavy wood trim and interior details, like the analog clock and metal work throughout, keep the interior looking timeless with a well aging design. The handling of the E-Class is good, especially for a luxury sedan and the acceleration, while not extreme, is more than adequate to accelerate from a stop, or overtake from highway speeds. The car is full of great technology, that is easy to get used to, even if it is complex. The driver assistance package takes the stress out of highway driving, and the auto emergency braking for the front and rear especially is very helpful when parking. The park assist package also adds the 360 camera system with a bird's eye view function that is really helpful in parking garages or tight areas. The camera images are all great quality and have an HD resolution that makes backing out of a parking space easy, and the 180 degree rear camera and rear cross traffic assist make it easy to see an oncoming vehicle or person. Reliability has been great as the car has only needed basic required (and free) service. The sales staff were friendly and not pushy like the typical car salesmen, and the service department is always fast and gives a loaner when requested. However, when the car is washed at the dealership it seems as if the interior is wiped down with dirty rags and dirty water, which not only leaves dirt on the seats that I had to clean off myself, but is also the incorrect way to clean real leather because water can damage the material. I would ask to not have your car washed when taking it in for service, but other than that my experience has been great. The only place the E-Class, and most Mercedes, falls short is the depreciation and very low resale value. Even so, I feel that the purchase price of the E-Class was well worth it. When I was researching new cars, I found that the E-Class was more comfortable, better equipped, and was a better value than competitors like the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6. I would definitely recommend the E-Class to anyone looking for a new comfortable luxury car with all the best and newest tech. UPDATE: 10-4-19 I have owned this car for roughly 10 months and am pleased to say I have enjoyed every minute of it. This car has great material quality, technology, design, and customer service. The light-colored leather has held up well to daily wear and dirt (with regular cleaning) and the car has been faultless apart from an incident where a valet locked the keys in the car and the app was not working. I have seen complaints about rattles from the dashboard and door cards, but the roads where I live are horrible and I haven't had a problem yet. COMAND system works well and didn't require much getting used too, as I find it very intuitive. The Drive Pilot system works well and even after almost a year, I am still amazed by it. I still very much recommend this car especially with the luxury package interior and exterior (topstitched MB-TEX trim is a must for feel and look).

Performance, style, fun

Real Buyer, 05/24/2019

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 450 4MATIC 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A)

Update: After owning the car for 2 years I have one major gripe. The low profile run flat tires cannot stand up to the road conditions found in the N East. I blew 4 tires since I owned the car. Fortunately, the DOT paid for 2 and the other 2 were under warranty but I still had to pay for alignments and deal with the inconvenience. In my search for a lux convertible I looked at several …

Mercedes And Me: Great Going!

Steebie, 06/14/2019

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A)

If you want a Convertible Roadster, the E450 Cabriolet makes the Mark! Let's start with the options I have, and whether they are worth the investment. I have the Drivers' Assistance Package, and I must say the technology has progressed to where it should be. The Active Distance Control when using the Cruise Control is spot on, as is the automatic braking when the car in front hits … their brakes, which is more responsive than me. The automatic Lane Keeping control is also spot on and very responsive to curves in the road. The other elements of this Package are a must for safe driving, so I give this Option a "Must Have." I have the Massaging and heated/ventilated front seats. Living in the Deep South, this option package is a must! The Parktronic Package provides a 360 degree view of the car and surroundings from above, and is a necessity if you want to make sure you park exactly between the lines. I don't use the parking assistance portion of the Package, and find this not useful, but you can't get a 360 degree view from above with that element in the Package. This option is not a "must have." The AMG Package is for aesthetics, so even though it sets off the coolness of the car and its lines, its not really a necessity or "mush have." The 19 inch AMG wheels and tires I find a "must have". The tires are staggered sizes front and rear, so no tire rotation available. I went for the 12.2 inch additional Driver's dash projection as well as the HUD. It's great to have and provides a multitude of information options, but again not a "must have." My car's MSRP was slightly over $82,000, but I paid $8,400 less, so effectively, I received many of my options "free of charge." Now for the performance, handling responsiveness, and ride. With a V6 twin turbo engine generating 362 HP, it's fleet under foot! It's responsive and provides acceleration to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds. The gears change almost unnoticeably, and is smooth as silk. 9 forward gears are seamless. The braking capability is typical Benz; it stops on a dime. The E450 barely dips on turns and highway curves, and there are 4 selectable settings for the tranny and the shocks. Economy, Comfort, Sport and Sport +. There is a 5th selection where the driver can design their own combined settings. The ride is a bit stiff, especially considering the High Performance Low Profile run flat tires. So, if you want high tech, great performance, and an impressive Cabriolet, go for it. I urge you to sit in one, take it for a long test drive, and observe all the upgrade options to determine whether they are a "must have" for you.

Love it, but have some concerns

EN, 07/30/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

This beautiful car was delivered to me directly from Germany. Brand new from the factory. Ordered it loaded with options; all leather interior, wood and leather steering wheel, ventilated seats, Burmester sound system etc. The first thing that was pointed out to me by the dealership was the scratch on the hood. Yes, there was a scratch that happened during shipping. I wasn't pleased …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the E-Class since its last redesign.

See all 55 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class video

Best Muscle Cars — Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang, But What Else?

Edmunds' Elana Scherr lists the best muscle cars of 2020, including American muscle cars and other, more unusual choices. She also explains what makes a classic muscle car and gives her Top 10 picks for the best modern muscle cars on sale.

2020 E-Class Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

E 350

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$54,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$184/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the E-Class models:

Driver Drowsiness Monitor: Helps mitigate an accident by monitoring signs of driver fatigue.
Evasive Steering Assist: Calculates extra steering torque during an evasive maneuver to help the driver avoid a collision and maintain control of the car.
Pre-Safe Sound: Reduces hearing damage from an accident by emitting a specific noise that triggers an inner-ear muscle reflex to protect hearing.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

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2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

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 $3.98 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which E-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Great Daily Driver

Performance, style, fun

Mercedes And Me: Great Going!

Love it, but have some concerns

2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class video

Best Muscle Cars — Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang, But What Else?

2020 E-Class Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost 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 $3.98 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}