2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Mercedes-Benz gave the E-Class a comprehensive redesign for 2017. It continues to be one of the few models that can truly boast a full...

Mercedes-Benz gave the E-Class a comprehensive redesign for 2017. It continues to be one of the few models that can truly boast a full lineup with sedan, coupe, soft-top cabriolet, and wagon variants. For 2019, it gets several important updates.

Mercedes-Benz offers four basic powertrains for the E-Class. The base E 300, which drivers can only find in the sedan version, pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine capable of making 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque with a 9-speed automatic transmission. While rear-wheel drive (RWD) comes standard, drivers can also equip the E 300 with Mercedes-Benz’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Equipped as such, the E-Class will hit 60 miles per hour in as few as 6.3 seconds.

Next comes the E 450 trim, which replaces the previous E 400 designation for 2019. Available for all four body styles, the E 450 trim features a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft – figures that are up by 33 and 15, respectively. The E 450 comes standard with a 9-speed transmission and 4MATIC AWD. Full performance figures haven’t yet been published, but expect it to do better than last year’s E 400, which arrived at 60 mph in as little as 5.3 seconds.

The AMG E 53 is new for 2019, which replaces the AMG E 43. It debuts a brand-new powertrain for the sedan, coupe, and cabriolet in the form of a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine, making 429 hp and 384 lb-ft along with a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard 4MATIC. EQ Boost, an electric starter-generator, can momentarily provide up to 21 extra hp and 184 extra lb-ft. It also provides a 48-volt power source for most of the car’s electronics. Of course, the AMG E 53 also comes with all of the usual AMG magic, including larger brakes, adaptive air suspension, and an intuitive drive mode selector. Mercedes-Benz estimates that all three models of the AMG E 53 will hit 60 mph in as few as 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph.

At the top of the lineup there’s the E 63 S, which continues to be available only for the sedan and wagon. At the heart of every E 63 S sits a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, making a beastly 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. An advanced multi-clutch 9-speed automatic sends power to all four wheels courtesy of 4MATIC. The sedan will hit 60 mph within 3.3 seconds while the wagon achieves it in 3.4 seconds.

Despite having different shapes and personalities, all body styles share common design DNA elements including quad LED lighting signatures, smooth panels, and windswept lines. All models get a sport grille with a prominent Mercedes-Benz star at its center – but the sedan and wagon can be equipped with the traditional upright grille and hood ornament. Naturally, AMG models receive their own styling with lots of gloss black in place of the usual chrome.

The crown jewel of the interior is a gloss black panel across the left half of the dashboard that includes the instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch high-resolution LCD screen. Opt for the LCD instrument cluster, and you’ll receive a second 12.3-inch LCD. Apart from that, the E-Class offers just about every electronic gadget and luxury you might want, including a power-closing trunk, massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, LED exterior lighting, and several grades of leather.

Safety has always been a paramount priority at Mercedes-Benz – and the E-Class reflects that priority. A reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers and PRE-SAFE come standard; the latter detects an imminent collision and takes active measures to lessen injury. On top of closing the windows and tightening the seatbelts, one system emits a sound that causes the eardrums to close up and seal themselves off from the sound of the collision, while another inflates the front seat bolsters to push occupants closer to the center of the car. From there, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, evasive-steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are all optional. For 2019, Mercedes-Benz has added a new multi-function steering wheel that allows drivers to access and manipulate the car’s safety systems without ever taking their hands off the wheel. Unsurprisingly, the E-Class won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ designation in 2017 and 2018.

Look for the 2019 E-Class to arrive in the last quarter of 2018.