The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is on sale now, available in just one body style and with one engine. Customer deliveries commence this week.
The E 300 is priced at $131,500 before on-road costs. With no E 200 to open the range anymore, the base price has risen by just over $25,000.
The new model splits the difference between the old E 200 and E 350 in terms of power and torque.
With a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 190kW of power and 400Nm of torque, it’s up 45kW and 80Nm on the E 200 but down 30kW on the E 350.
It comes standard with what Mercedes-Benz calls Agility Control steel spring suspension. It features selective damping, and means the E 300 sits 15mm lower than overseas models.
An optional Plus Package brings adaptive air suspension plus rear-axle steering, which steers the rear wheels by up to 4.5 degrees in the opposite direction of the fronts at speeds below 60km/h, and up to 2.5 degrees in the same direction as the fronts above 60km/h.
Inside, there’s the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment system with a 5G communication module.
The E-Class comes standard with what the brand calls the MBUX Superscreen, comprising a 14.4-inch central touchscreen extending to a 12.3-inch passenger display.
The infotainment system features augmented reality satellite navigation, wireless smartphone mirroring, and the ability to create routines – for example, you can set it to activate the heated seats and change the ambient lighting colour whenever the temperature drops below a certain point.
The voice assistant can handle multiple requests linked with the word ‘and’, and describe how certain vehicle functions work.
The ambient lighting sweeps across the dash and onto the doors, and can be linked to the sound system. It’ll also convey visual warnings from features like the Parking Assistant.
What the E-Class won’t have in Australia, at least not yet, is the new selfie and video camera atop the instrument panel.
Technically, the physical camera will be there, but the selfie app won’t be installed so the functionality won’t work. Mercedes-Benz says it plans to active this functionality with a later update.
The new E-Class was revealed in sedan form in April 2023, followed by the Estate in June 2023, and higher-riding All-Terrain wagon in September. The two wagons have been ruled out for Australia.
There’s no longer a coupe or convertible, with the new CLE range replacing not only the two-door E-Class models but also the smaller C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Sedan | $131,500 |
Prices exclude on-road costs
Drivetrains
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 190kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
It features mild-hybrid system with integrated starter-generator and an electric motor producing 17kW and 205Nm.
The rear-wheel drive E 300 uses a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz says it has improved its operating efficiency via changes to the oil pumps, and it uses fewer electric interfaces than before.
Efficiency
The Mercedes-Benz E 300 uses 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Dimensions
| Mercedes-Benz E 300 Sedan | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4959mm |
| Wheelbase | 2961mm |
| Width | 2065mm (including mirrors) |
| Height | 1466mm |
| Boot space | 540L |
| Drag coefficient | 0.23 |
Servicing and Warranty
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Service pricing isn’t yet available, but it’ll require maintenance every 12 months or 25,000km.
Safety
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Evasive steering assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Surround-view camera
- Traffic sign recognition
- 11 airbags: front, front-side, front knee, rear-side and centre
Standard Equipment
There’s just one model available, with two packages optional.
Standard equipment on the E 300 includes:
- 20-inch black-finish alloy wheels
- Digital Light LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
- Semi-automatic parking assist
- AMG Line exterior package
- MBUX Superscreen
- 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 12.3-inch passenger display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Intelligent voice assistant
- Augmented reality satellite navigation
- Digital instrument cluster
- 17-speaker 730W Burmester 4D sound system
- Power-adjustable front sports seats with memory
- Leather upholstery
- Dual-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
- Open-pore black ash wood trim
‘Comfort’ front seats are a no-cost option.
The optional Plus Package ($9400) brings:
- Rear-axle steering
- Airmatic adaptive air suspension with continuously variable damping
- Illuminated grille
- Multi-contour front seats
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Four-zone climate control
- MBUX Interior Assistant
The optional Energizing Package Plus ($5200) includes:
- Air-Balance package, with adjustable interior fragrances
- Energizing Comfort programs, which adjust the climate, music, lighting, fragrances and air-conditioning
- Anti-travel sickness program
Colours
The E 300 is available in a choice of six standard paint finishes and three optional Manufaktur premium finishes.
Standard finishes comprise:
- Obsidian Black metallic
- Verde Silver metallic
- Nautic Blue metallic
- Graphite Grey metallic
- High-Tech Silver metallic
- Polar White
Manufaktur finishes are:
- Hyacinth Red Metallic
- Opalite White Bright
- Alpine Grey solid
There are three leather upholstery colours available:
- Black
- Tonka Brown
- Macchiato Beige
