2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The redesigned E-Class midsized luxury sedan coddles occupants with a comfortable ride and quiet cabin, yet its agile handling makes this stately sedan fun to drive. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the E350 we tested gets a mild-hybrid system that returned a commendable 28 mpg overall. Other than an annoying initial delay of power caused by the engine stop/start system, we found this to be a strong and polished powertrain. A more powerful turbo six-cylinder comes in the E450 4Matic model. Both are mated to a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The swanky cabin is swathed in stitched leather, muted chrome, and matte-finish wood. The front seats are comfortable and the rear seat offers decent room for two adults. Most controls remain complicated and distracting, however; even simple tasks, such as adjusting the audio volume via touch-capacitive sliders, are a chore. A plug-in hybrid and All Terrain wagon version are new for 2025.