Summary
- The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is set to be one of the most luxurious and modern cars in the U.S. market, raising the bar for its competitors.
- The new E-Class boasts advanced electronic architecture, immersive entertainment features, and a powerful MBUX infotainment system.
- In addition to its spacious interior and cargo space, the 2024 E-Class offers a premium audio system with Dolby Atmos and a quiet, comfortable ride characteristic of luxury vehicles.
The expectations surrounding the launch of a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class are always high. Demanding customers and auto enthusiasts alike line up for a chance to take a peek at the model as soon as it reaches showroom floors. The E-Class can be considered to be several steps above the popular C-Class, but only a couple of steps below the flagship S-Class. The upcoming 2024 E-Class is shaping up to be one of the most luxurious and modern cars to reach Stateside in a good while.
Mercedes's long-time rival, BMW, embraces the motto "ultimate driving machine" and while BMWs are still sporty and luxurious, exciting machines to drive, Mercedes leans a bit more towards providing a more relaxed and comfortable ride, without compromising too much on performance.
The 2024 model is bringing that and more to the table and promises to shake up the market, setting its usual competitors on a path to update and come up with alternatives of their own if they are to stand toe to toe with the E-Class. In this article, we're going to dive deep into all the things the 2024 E-Class has to offer and see just how much it's improved.
All information regarding technical specifications and features was provided by Mercedes-Benz North America.
The E-Class Begs The Question If You Even Need An S-Class
For years now, the E-Class has been bridging the gap between the C-Class and the S-Class. But with every passing generation, it is clear the direction it is headed, and that is up. The new 2024 model ushered in a new era for the E-Class, with a new electronic architecture, faster data transfer speeds, and several new intelligent interior features. Inside the 2024 E-Class, both driver and passenger will find an even more immersive entertainment experience, be it with music, games, or streaming content.
This new electronic architecture focuses more on software and future over-the-air updates than hardware. This paves the way for more forms of individual updates as man and machine get to know each other better over time. That doesn't mean the hardware behind it all is neglected.
A powerful central computer takes care of all the processing needed for the MBUX infotainment system and more. An even more sophisticated entertainment package is available, the MBUX Entertainment Plus which works with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch display for the front passenger, and a massive, 14.5-inch central infotainment screen.
Expected to hit dealerships in the U.S. in late 2023, these new features will be put to the test, and considering Mercedes's history of luxury and innovation, and not settling for just keeping up with the competition, it is likely they will be well-received by customers and automotive specialists alike.
The 2024 E-Class Has A Roomy Interior And Cargo Space
The mid-size car from Mercedes is pushing the envelope with an overall length of 194.8-inches, and a width of 74-inches. Its height stays elegantly at 58.3 inches. The large wheelbase of 116.6 inches provides a roomy interior and a lot of legroom for the rear passengers. the rear seats have a good incline to them, accommodating the backs and weight of the passengers in a very cozy way. The 2024 E-Class will have a trunk capacity of 19 cubic feet.
Inside the vehicle, the driver and passenger will get to enjoy a premium audio system with up to 17 speakers with Dolby Atmos. As standard, they'll have a 4D surround system from Burmester featuring 15 amplifiers and 730 watts of crystalline sound. This system includes:
- Two front bass speakers
- One midrange speaker per door
- One tweeter in each door
- Two surround speakers
- One center-fill speaker in the middle of the dashboard
- Two 3D speakers in front roofline
- Two tactile transducers per seat in the backrest of the front seats
- Two ear-level speakers in the driver's seat
This Burmester 4D surround system takes the audio experience to the next level, especially with the help of Dolby Atmos which can use the entire space of the cabin to create an immersive 360-degree sound experience. As this we not enough, the sound reproduced by the system is visually represented by the active ambient lighting system. Mercedes is proud of changing the way music is listened to in a car, bringing a visual and tactile feel to add to the experience.
The Luxury Experience Includes Silence
If you grew up like most people, your folks didn't drive you around in a Mercedes-Benz or other luxurious vehicle. More likely they had that trusty old beater that made all sorts of noises at all the wrong places but got you where you needed to go.
You would then, possibly remember clearly the first time you rode in an upmarket, luxury vehicle. Maybe your folks got a promotion at work or their business finally started doing well enough, or maybe you just caught a ride with the rich neighbors. But one thing you noticed and remember about this experience is surely how quiet it was.
A quiet ride equates to comfort, which equates to luxury in a number of ways. And Mercedes invested heavily on how quiet the 2024 E-Class is going to be. To begin with, the car is extremely aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient starting from 0.23 depending on the model.
This was achieved with carefully engineered bodywork designed after many computer simulations and wind tunnel testing. This aeroacoustic development employed more than 500 microphones inside and out of the car to help locate potential noise sources and then figure out a way to get rid of it, or at least diminish it to a degree where it would be hardly noticeable or annoying.
Comfort Is The Priority, But The 2024 E-Class Is No Slouch
The renowned Mercedes AIRMATIC suspension is available as an option for the 2024 E-Class, as well as rear-wheel steering for better handling at higher speeds, and shorter turning circles at low-speed maneuvers. But even the standard suspension is a step above the usual suspects. The standard steel spring suspension comes with agility control and a selective damping system.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Trims And Specs
E 350 4MATIC | E 450 4MATIC | |
Displacement | 1,999 cc | 2,999 cc |
Output | 255 horsepower @ 5,800 RPM | 375 horsepower @ 5,800-6,100 RPM |
Output boost | 23 horsepower | 23 horsepower |
Peak Torque | 295 pound-feet @ 2,000-3,200 RPM | 369 pound-feet @ 1,800-5,000 RPM |
Torque Boost | 148 pound-feet | 148 pound-feet |
Top Speed | 130 MPH | 130 MPH |
Both internal combustion engines come with Mercedes' mild-hybrid system that render turbo-lag non-existent and provide a torque and power boost when needed. Top speed is electronically limited to a sensible 130 MPH.
Artificial Intelligence Will Play An Ever Increasing Role In The E-Class Experience
As the software available learns and adapts to the owner's personal habits, certain templates and routines will come into play to support daily tasks during your everyday driving. With over-the-air (OTA) updates, this technology will continue to evolve and be refined for an optimal ownership experience.
An example of how this might work goes much further than what your smartphone does today when you turn navigation on in the morning, and it already suggests your usual commute as default. It goes as far as studying your routine on a day-by-day basis. Say you go to the gym every Monday and Wednesday after work. When you get into the car, A/C and ventilated seats will be set according to what you usually want.
The E-Class is a nearly faultless car that just got a lot better and doesn't look like it's going to stop improving significantly anytime soon. Definitely a sensible choice for those distinct customers looking for a luxurious and comfortable experience.