Packed with nothing but Mercedes E-Class sedans and Toyota hybrids , the airport taxi queue in Vienna, Austria, really told a story. We were there to drive the new 2024 E450 4Matic (First Drive story here) and we’d barely stepped foot outside when the midsize Mercedes model’s reputation—and yes, Toyota’s—greeted us.
From European taxi to American luxury car, the E wears many hats. And after diving deep into the 2024 model, here are the highlights on its futuristic tech, the way it drives, and two tantalizing versions we (probably) won’t get in the U.S.
The Perfect Compromise?
The E450 4Matic’s carryover powertrain is solid, but to combine a couple of well-worn clichés, another forbidden fruit steals its thunder. We’re talking about the E300e, a plug-in hybrid Mercedes will sell outside the U.S.
Starting with a turbo inline-four, the E300e’s overall system output is just over 300 hp, with torque just over 400 lb-ft. We imagine the E300e will feel heavier on the road than an E450, but more than 40 miles of electric range and a manufacturer-estimated 0-62-mph time of 6.4 seconds sound like an intriguing combination. We say “more than 40 miles” because European standards for fuel economy and range aren’t usually as strict as the EPA’s. For Europe, Mercedes estimates an EV range of at least 62 miles before the gas engine turns on.
For context, the E350 4Matic’s 0-60 time is said to be 6.1 seconds, and we expect the E450 4Matic’s to register a time of 4.6 seconds or so. Neither of those 2024 E-Class sedans, however, can glide on pure electric power to work and back.
Look, No Hands!
Mercedes’ latest package of semi-autonomous tech includes an automatic lane change feature. It’s coming to loaded 2024 E-Class sedans and in our early experience, works well. Just set the cruise control and use Mercedes’ in-car nav (as compared to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). No need to touch the turn signals; let the car handle things.
Then watch as the car not only changes lanes for you to pass slower-moving traffic, but changes back again. If you have an exit coming up, the car will look for a safe opening and move to the right.
The system worked smoothly, although there were times when we felt we could have made a lane change but the Mercedes didn’t agree, so it slowed down behind the car ahead. That’s an easy fix, of course: Just drive the car yourself.
The Magic V-8 Button
Part of what we like about the 375-hp inline-6-powered E450 is its smooth, plentiful, and quiet power. Sometimes, though, you want to hear what’s under the hood. Like other automakers, Mercedes has experimented with artificially enhanced engine sounds, but this is the first time you can tell the car to make vroom-vroom V-8 noises even in the Comfort mode.
On the road, the updated feature veers toward luxury: Think a relatively quiet and restrained E-Class V-8 instead of an AMG V-8 at wide-open throttle. In the E450’s Sport mode, the car delivers muted exhaust snaps and pops with the feature on, a funny addition on a luxury car.
Three Stimulated Senses, One Sound System
Learning about the 2024 E-Class’ fancy Burmester 4D sound system was a rollercoaster for us. First, we were amazed to learn that a 730-watt 21-speaker sound system was standard on every 2024 E350 4Matic and 2024 E450 4Matic. Too bad the speakers in the driver’s seat themselves are currently only used for phone calls, but we hear that could change in the future.
Then there’s the delightfully over the top, available Active Ambient Lighting system. Like Kia Soul speakers, the 2024 E-Class’ extensive ambient lighting across the dash will pulsate in color to the beat of the music. One of our favorite interior features of our 2021 E450 was the way you could make the color slowly change as you drove along. We hope you can pair that feature with the Active Sound Visualization; even with a Mercedes rep, we couldn’t find this setting on the new one but are assured it’s still there.
The third sense is feeling the music through the seatbacks. These seat vibrations will lead to one of two things: Front passengers will hear old favorites in new ways or they’ll give you a perplexed how do I turn it off look.
What to Make of Rear Steering
If you’ve read our 2024 E450 4Matic First Drive review , you know we like the way the available rear steering system works on the new E-Class. That’s been pretty much the same story across all recent Benzes with the tech.
While other models have rear-axle steering of up to 10 degrees, here it’s just 4.5 degrees. That means the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction up to 4.5 degrees at lower speeds and when parking. That reduces the turning radius by nearly 3 feet and makes the car nimbler to drive around town. Above 37 mph, the rears turn in the same direction as the fronts at up to 2.5 degrees to enhance stability.
We wonder how easy these systems will be to maintain in the years to come, but as luxury cars become increasingly high tech, we can confirm the feature makes a positive difference on the road.
And Now, What You’ve All Been Waiting For…
As Mercedes consolidates its two-door models, the E-Class wagon survives in an age dominated by SUVs. In the U.S., 2024 E-Class wagon options will likely include a familiar pair of models: An E450 All-Terrain SUV-like lifted wagon as well as an E63 AMG wagon with enough power to overtake many sports cars.
We couldn’t help but admire the standard wagon in person, however. Walking around it, the 2024 E-Class wagon appears inspired by the outgoing CLS Shooting Brake, a body style we never got in the U.S. for that model. Look at the way the E-Class side glass swoops down well before the roofline slopes down and you’ll see it. This wagon is trying to play both sides, offering a practical roofline for more interior space as well as swoopy styling.
With such boldly designed windows, one thing we can confirm: Rear-side visibility isn’t great. But hey, you’re not here for reminders of practicality. Keep going to see more photos of the Euro-spec 2024 E-Class wagon.
