| MSRP | $79,025 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $79,540 |
Though the fifth-generation E-Class has been on sale since 2017, Mercedes-Benz has done an admirable job making its midsize luxury car feel new at every turn. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes these constant updates even further, with a refreshed exterior and a slightly restyled cabin.
The headlights and taillights closely resemble those on the smaller A-Class, while the grille is similar to the one on the GLE SUV. Inside, the E-Class gets Mercedes' latest MBUX infotainment system. It's a huge improvement over the older interface. The E-Class also gets a new steering wheel with capacitive touch controls, though the layout is functionally the same as the old one. Also new for the E 450 is a turbocharged inline-six engine paired to a mild hybrid system. It uses an electric motor that provides a bit of extra power when leaving from a stop and is slightly more fuel-efficient than the previous V6.
The E-Class is available as a sedan, a coupe, convertible and a wagon, which Mercedes now calls the All-Terrain. That means you're going to have a wide range of competitors to cross-shop. The E-Class' primary competitor has long been the BMW 5 Series. The current 5 Series keeps the pressure on with a wealth of features and a plug-in hybrid variant for those looking for carpool access. The Audi A6 sedan and A6 Allroad wagon, meanwhile, were recently redesigned and count a high-tech cabin among their many strengths. And buyers looking for something sleek and stylish might want to check out the new Cadillac CT5 sedan or Mercedes' own CLS.
Our verdict | |
The E 450 All-Terrain wagon broadens the E-Class' appeal. Everything we like about the E-Class, from its well-crafted interior to its strong and efficient powertrain, is still here, but with the added benefit of SUV-rivaling cargo space. The extra plastic cladding on the body work might not be for everyone, but that's not a gripe that should keep you out of this smooth-sailing wagon. | |
How does the E-Class All-Terrain drive? | |
The E 450 All-Terrain wagon isn't the E-Class for everyone, but it's every bit as good to drive as the sedan. The turbocharged mild hybrid inline six-cylinder engine under the hood is one of the smoothest on sale right now, and it delivers its 362 horsepower to all four wheels without fuss. Despite weighing in at a hefty 4,551 pounds, the E 450 All-Terrain scoots its way from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It makes passing a breeze, and the nine-speed automatic transmission shifts so smoothly you'd be forgiven for never noticing the gears change. The only scratch on this Mercedes' armor is the braking, but spongy brakes were a complaint we had of the A6 Allroad, this car's main competition, too. That said, the E-Class' pedal is both wooden and hard to smoothly control, and the wagon needed a lengthy 128 feet to stop from 60 mph. | |
How comfortable is the E-Class All-Terrain? | |
The E 450 All-Terrain is a great place to spend time. Double-glazed glass, thick carpets and a bank vault-like interior all work to keep you isolated from the world around you. The All-Terrain's air suspension is rarely caught out by imperfections in the road, with only bigger potholes and manhole covers resulting in any noticeable thump through the cabin. Beyond that, the All-Terrain is a mile-munching cocoon. Our test car came equipped with Nappa leather throughout. The leather was both supply and comforting, though we think the more rugged yet soft MB-Tex simulated leather seat surfaces would better serve this wagon's off-road aspirations. The chairs are heated, cooled and adjustable more than a dozen ways and only add to this wagon's relaxing character. The E-Class' comfort was only let down by its heater when, on a chilly night, it refused to get hot. It could be an isolated bug, but it was a frustration worth noting. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The All-Terrain's cabin is luxuriously appointed and well-thought-out. All of the primary controls for the A/C and the shortcut buttons for the MBUX infotainment system fall easily to hand, as if they're always right where you thought they'd be. Leather coats almost every part of the front passenger compartment, even the inside of the door pockets, and the adjustable ambient lighting is a treat. We felt that the seating position in the All-Terrain was a little too high and the E-Class' back seat, despite its overall length, can be cramped for taller passengers. Luckily that's our only major complaint when it comes to the interior. Forward visibility is great, and thanks to a ton of glass on the sides, visibility out the back is good too. Speaking of glass, the panoramic glass sunroof makes the cabin feel airy and luxe. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Despite its steep learning curve, MBUX is one of the best infotainment systems out there. The number of menus can be dizzying at first, but once owners get the hang of it there's little this system can't do. The touchpad to control it is accurate and quick, and the screen itself responds to touch. For those who don't want to fuss with MBUX, there's always Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. You still have to plug your devices in, though, and we wish wireless was an option here. Mercedes' driver aids are also some of the best on the market. Lane centering holds you steady within your lane, the car recognizes speed limit signs and adjusts accordingly, and it maintains a tight gap to the car in front. It will even change lanes for you, just as long as you tap the stalk and ask it to do so. | |
How’s the storage? | |
Because this is the wagon, cargo capacity is cavernous. The All-Terrain offers 35 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear bench, and with it folded flat, that number swells to 64 cubic feet. Audi's A6 Allroad offers 30 cubic feet with the rear bench up, still plenty of space, but the E-Class can simply swallow more of your things. If space is what you need, the All-Terrain is the E-Class to go for. Aside from the huge hatchback area, there are neat cubbies for everything in the cabin. There are four cupholders up front and two in the rear. Pair that with huge door pockets, a decently sized center console and a usable glovebox, and there's no reason to run out of places to put your smaller valuables. | |
How economical is the E-Class All-Terrain? | |
The EPA rates the E 450 All-Terrain at 24 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway). We regularly matched the EPA's figures over the course of our testing and managed 27.9 mpg on our 115-mile testing loop, well over the EPA's estimates for combined driving. | |
Is the E-Class All-Terrain a good value? | |
The All-Terrain starts at $68,650, but our test vehicle was loaded up (panoramic glass roof and Mercedes' driver assistance package, which adds tech including active steering assist, lane change assist and lane keeping assist) and rang in at $88,260. That's a pretty penny, but we're here to tell you this E-Class is worth that kind of dough. It's everything you'd expect from a Mercedes-Benz and carries all the traits of a proper luxury car. It's well equipped with some of the best tech in the industry, offers nearly as much cargo space as some large SUVs, and is built like a bank vault inside. Everything you interact with has a sense of quality and solidity to it. Unfortunately, Mercedes' standard warranty is a bit of a letdown. Mercedes includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic, powertrain and rust warranty on the All-Terrain, with the hybrid component of the engine being covered for eight years. | |
Wildcard | |
Wagons haven't sold in great numbers in the United States for a while, and the E 450 All-Terrain likely won't change that. It's a niche product that will entice the most loyal Benz buyers, even if its appeal is much farther-reaching. Simply put, if you see one of these on the road, go ahead and buy a lottery ticket. They're going to be as rare as they are excellent, and that's a shame when you think about just how complete and compelling the All-Terrain is. | |
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the most multifaceted vehicles on the market. You can get the E-Class as a sedan, wagon, coupe or convertible, each available in multiple trims: E 350 (sedan only), E 450 (sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible), AMG E 53 (sedan, coupe, convertible) and AMG E 63 S (sedan and wagon) — each corresponding to a different powertrain.
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2020 Audi A6
The Audi A6 was fully redesigned just a few years ago, and it remains one of our favorite sedans on the market, sitting just below the E-Class in our ratings. It's sporty and athletic yet comfortable, and it features a handsome and refined interior filled with Audi's latest and greatest tech. We prefer Mercedes' tech and driver aids to the latest from Audi, but both cars are so good we highly recommend trying both if you're shopping for a luxury sedan.
For decades, the BMW 5 Series has been the E-Class' closest rival. Both cars offer a wide array of features, tech and customization and are available with a range of engines, including high-performance models that will make some sports cars blush. The 5 Series offers more cargo space, but we found the interior to fall short in terms of refinement when compared to the E-Class.
Think of the CLS as a slightly more stylized version of the E-Class. Both cars are very similar underneath the skin, and from the driver's seat the two don't feel all that different. The CLS' swoopy styling does compromise cargo and passenger space, and a base model is significantly more expensive than the CLS. Still, it looks and feels a little more special, which is especially important if you want to stand out in a crowd.
Though the fifth-generation E-Class has been on sale since 2017, Mercedes-Benz has done an admirable job making its midsize sedan feel new at every turn. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes these constant updates even further, with a refreshed exterior and a slightly restyled cabin. Overall, some additions will likely elevate the E-Class' standing even further, while one has us scratching our heads in confusion.
The refreshed E-Class has a few new tricks to differentiate it from other illustrious sedans. One neat feature automatically adjusts the seat to an optimal position after the driver's height is entered into MBUX. Other enhancements include traffic integration with the adaptive cruise system, so the car can begin slowing from highway speeds far in advance. When the car is stopped, the blind-spot monitor can now warn passengers if they are about to open the door into traffic coming from behind.
While this E-Class generation has consistently ranked highly since its introduction, newer competitors made it clear there was room for improvement. The addition of MBUX gives the E-Class a more modern, robust infotainment system, and one with excellent voice controls that can help reduce driver distraction. Also new for E 450 models is a turbocharged inline-six engine paired to a mild hybrid system. This mild hybrid system has an electric motor that provides a bit of extra power when leaving from a stop and allows for slightly more fuel-efficient operation compared to the previous V6.
The E-Class' primary competitor has long been the BMW 5 Series. This newest model (also released for the 2017 model year) keeps the pressure on with a wealth of features and a plug-in hybrid variant for those looking for carpool access. The Audi A6, meanwhile, was recently redesigned and counts a high-tech cabin among its many strengths. And buyers looking for something sleek and stylish might want to check out the new Cadillac CT5 sedan.
Edmunds saysThe Mercedes-Benz E-Class has long been our favorite midsize luxury sedan, and the new additions will only extend its lifespan. Now about that steering wheel ...
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:
The least-expensive 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $67,600.
Other versions include:
