Overview & Reviews

A favorite in the midsize luxury car class, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has provided an appealing mix of comfort, performance and safety for decades. The trademark qualities of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, such as vaultlike solidity and cutting-edge technology, have also contributed to the E-Class' great popularity among luxury buyers.

Over the years, the E-Class has been offered as a sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible. Contemporary E-Class models come loaded with luxury features and offer stunning acceleration in higher trim levels, with diesel power available if you want to maximize your fuel economy. The E-Class has never been the sportiest car in its segment, but its handling has improved significantly in recent years. Rivals are better in certain respects, but if you're looking for the complete package in a medium-size luxury car, an E-Class will be hard to beat.

User Reviews:

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  This is not your parents car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Steven Kendrick - May 11 - 10:00 am

  When this car is in warranty, everybody smiles and loves you. When this car is out of warranty, you find out the previous smiles were the after the laughs. This car had issues under warranty and the dealer was happy to fix them and get you on your way. The NAv/Radio started to go but since it had not passed the point of no return, they would not replace it. I could tell other things started to go before the car got out of warranty and it was not until I crossed that warranty mileage marker all hell broke loose. At that point, Murphys Law took affect. The good side: the car drove like a dream, in the daylight. Go rent the movie "It Takes Two" (1988) when the guy builds his dream car.

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  CDI is way to go - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By losarkos - May 9 - 3:56 am

  The CDI at 34 mpg on my last 3600 mile road trip cant be beat. I do miss a middle armrest but the distronic seats make up for it. The car is fast. I do find the Harmon Kardon radio a tad less bass capable than I like

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  Good experience driving 2016 MB E350 4Matic - 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Joe - April 28 - 8:08 pm

  Well, this is my first MB and I must say that after almost 6 months of driving my used (2000 miles when bought) 2016 E350 Luxury AWD, I am very happy with my experience so far. The car (color black) looks classy all the time, and feels like I have a business suit on every time I drive it. I must say that the interior is acceptable, but not much to write home about, but performance is great and steering is responsive. I came from a 2011 Lexus ES 350, so much of the time I feel myself comparing my MB experience to the Lexus. I feel that the acceleration is about the same between the two cars (excellent), but the MB seems to clunk into downshifting when I punch the gas (Lexus was just as responsive, but smoother downshift). No biggie, but something I noticed during my need for acceleration where the Lexus was much smoother. Electronics on the Lexus were not as advanced, so it is not fair to compare the two cars in this category, although the MBs command system is a bit confusing to me at times and is not as intuitive as it should be. Ive driven in combined highway and city and the gas mileage has been pretty much as advertised (requires premium fuel). The ride is very comfortable (something I value, thus my selection of the luxury model over the sport). I did have problems rotating the tires on this car the first time around. I typically do this type of maintenance myself and I couldnt break the factory torqued lug nuts loose for the life of me, but an investment in a breaker bar quickly solved this problem. I love getting into this car for road trips and cranking up my favorite tunes on the stereo. Very classy looking car, quiet comfortable ride, tight response. Its not a sports car, but when I want to get up and go and take corners aggressively, it delivers a satisfying experience. Looking forward to driving in the snow and ice and challenging the AWD. Hopefully I will experience continued satisfaction and high reliability going forward. Ive driven the car for over 4000 miles now and Im very satisfied with my purchase. UPDATE AFTER 9000 miles - I still enjoy driving this great looking car. A stranger commented to me a few days ago, saying "great looking car" as we exited our cars in a parking lot. Ride is still tight and quiet. The one thing I continue to experience (but very willing to tolerate) is the kind of jerky motion as you press the accelerator from a stop. Again, my Lexus ES350 was smoother in this regard, but it does kind of give you a more sporty feel in my MB, and Im ok with it. Bottom line I still really like the looks and feel of driving this car. I feel like Im in that car commercial (not a Mercedes commercial) where Im always looking for a reason to get in my E350 beauty and drive it somewhere special. My excitement for this car has not faded one bit. Ive done an oil change, tire rotation and inspected the brakes. So far tire tread wear is minimal and wear is even across the tires and brake pads all still look great. I would definitely recommend this car for someone who is looking to ride in style, with the sports car response and capability sitting there patiently just waiting for the drivers queue to engage. ENJOY !!! Update in Snow/ice: Well, after almost 9,7000 miles I had my first opportunity to ride in about 3 inches of fresh snow (still snowing at the time). WOW, this car dug into the snow like I was riding a snowmobile. On a couple of occasions, on clear stretch of road I was a little aggressive with the accelerator just to see how the AWD would respond and boy was I impressed. The car kept on the straight and narrow, dug in and just lunged forward. Im real happy with performance in the snow and Ill have full confidence in traction and safety going forward if (when) the need ever arises to drive in messy weather again. Of course you always need to be careful when stopping (even with the best AWD and anti-lock braking), so leave plenty of room between you and the cars around you in such weather.

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  9 Years and still nice - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By John - April 10 - 5:06 am

  Bought my E320 new in 2001. Overall, excellent ride, classy vehicle, virtually no maintenance until about 90K miles. Between 90 and my current 115K miles, I have probably put $3k into the car for repairs (cat covert, air, regular service) but nothing before that except scheduled maintenance. Some electrical problems started to show up at 110K miles so I may be looking again. Overall, I am very pleased with this car which looks great even after 9 yrs and 115k miles. Service at dealer has been good except for 45 minutes of shop time to replace a headlight bulb. Complained the next visit and they made it right. This is my second MB and I will probably buy another one.

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  121,000 miles later... - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By realrideracing - March 28 - 4:18 am

  ... our 2004 E320 4Matic is still running like a champ! No significant mechanical issues and the car has never left us stranded. We keep it in the garage (our 2015 GLK350 gets the carport parking) and keep up on all the maintenance religiously. Get the E500 if you want a rocketship. Were happy with the trusty M112 V6 engine. Enough power for most applications yet provides decent fuel mileage. Its a much more desirable engine than the dreaded M272 in the 2006 - 2009 E350 that was prone to balance shaft failures (theres even a class action suit against Mercedes for this now). Handling is decent for a wagon but eats tires.

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  I expected more from a Mercedes - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By couchmore - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I have been nothing but disappointed with this car. Exterior styling is great, but inside is nothing special. I was hit with $3,000 worth of repairs 6 months after the warranty ran out (I too have had problems with power windows). We are trying to get rid of it right now and trade value is not good. Well chalk this one up to a very expensive "lesson learned" and will never own another Mercedes again.

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  Great Wagon but the Transmission. - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By hamil65 - March 25 - 11:58 am

  Purchased this for my wife with only 20k 4-years ago and the car has been great except the transmission. The 722.6 transmission was problem in the older E320 and still is. The TCU connector seal failed which Mercedes had an updated part but then in leaked later on also. Read some forums and Im not alone. Even the new 722.9 Transmissions are having issues. I have owned 4 Mercedes and all the transmissions have had issues.

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  Not worth the extra cost of owning a BluTech - 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By solarwinds - March 19 - 2:09 pm

  I have owned 3 MB diesel sedans and they were great fast efficient low maintenance bullet proof especially the 1998 E300 a rocket and 29 mpg ave :) MB with the help of the EPA has put the diesel line up in MB a liability to dive not a durable 500K mile car... For one you have to purchase 35.00 a BluTech fluid every oil change... at 7 gallons a pop... Perhaps you could put any DEF from a chain store at 12 a gallon... Why the need for an expensive exhaust system how much will it cost to replace? On the EClass a Diesel comes with RFT because of the blue tank. So a guy who drives say 50 to 200 miles a day must rely on RFT and have no spare... to make room for a Urea tank... S350 has a spare

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  Great Drive - Poor Electronics - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ButtonTex - March 19 - 2:00 am

  The E500 is a fun car to drive and it lives up to all the superlatives. However, the audio, phone, and electronic systems are extremely poor and unreliable. The audio system has a mind of its own, the integrated phone system spent more time in the shop than in use, and false warning indications have been common. As a result, I will never buy another MB.

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  Fuel System Nightmare - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By D &L - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We love this car BUT, it has had serious fuel system problems. The fuel injector pump has been replaced at 50K and 90K miles. We were stranded in the middle of nowhere when it went out at 90K. A long walk with no cell service in the area.Thank God for the 100K extended warranty we bought or we would have been out over $3K each time. Our previous diesel a 1982 240D ran over 300K miles with no problems. We wanted one of the new CDI diesels but now we are not so sure.