2024 BMW 5 Series vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class presented a departure from the cold and technical aesthetics of many modern vehicles. It featured a design with long hood and short deck proportions, softly rounded forms, and cleanly penned flanks, complemented by bold detailing. The E-Class stood out with its star-map grille texture, star-shaped taillight illumination, and a sweep of chrome defining the roofline, along with a variety of expressive wheel designs. This design was expected to age gracefully. As the E-Class went on sale, it was available in E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic models, starting at $62,300 plus a destination charge. However, most of the advanced features were bundled into various option packages. Our test car, an E 350 4Matic, came with nearly all options, excluding a few extras and the Multicontour Seating Package, bringing the MSRP to $82,450. The interior was luxurious, featuring Tonka Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a Superscreen triple-display glass panel, and a blend of classic luxury with high-tech modernism.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series was designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and showcase BMW’s current styling language, resulting in a clean, crisp, and minimalist appearance. The 530i test car featured a large shiny grille and intricate 21-inch wheels, with M Sport bodywork adding a touch of sass. Inside, the M Sport treatment continued with Smoke-color Veganza artificial leather, aluminum trim, and artistic metal speaker grilles, contrasting with the otherwise black cabin. However, reflections and glare from many surfaces made it harder to use the controls. The BMW Curved Display housed most features and functions, with traditional iDrive controls on the center console. Despite its stylish and plush appearance, the 530i M Sport felt remote and muted, lacking the connection between driver and machine that BMW was once known for. Our test vehicle, a 530i with rear-wheel drive, included options like the M Sport Package and Premium Package, bringing the MSRP to $68,445.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered two engine options. The E 350 4Matic was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to reach 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. For those seeking more power, the E 450 4Matic featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, providing 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. Both models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard, along with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The E 350 offered ample power for most drivers, though it fell short of its EPA fuel economy estimate, achieving 23.8 mpg instead of the expected 27 mpg. The optional Airmatic Package, with adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering, enhanced the ride quality, making the E-Class feel like it glided across the road. However, it was more of a luxury car than a sports sedan, with comfort and a soothing ride being its standout features.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series, specifically the 530i, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system aided efficiency, and the eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The 530i excelled in acceleration and overtaking, offering a refined driving experience. It was capable on twisty roads, with standard variable-ratio sport steering and M Sport braking components contributing to its performance. However, the 530i felt remote and muted, lacking the engaging driving experience BMW was once known for. Fuel economy was below expectations, with the 530i M Sport achieving 24.7 mpg on the evaluation loop, compared to the EPA estimate of 30 mpg. Despite its capabilities, the 530i left us unsatisfied, feeling more like a video game than a driving experience.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a comfortable interior, even without the Multicontour Seating Package. The front seats were supportive and available in various materials, with heating and power adjustments. However, the center console shape and lack of padding could be uncomfortable. The rear seat posed a challenge for entry and exit due to intrusive wheel wells, but once seated, passengers enjoyed good leg support and a tall riding position. Storage space was ample, with sizable door pockets, a hidden center console bin, and a roomy bin under the center armrest. The trunk offered 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space, though this seemed optimistic. The trunk was tall enough for full-size suitcases, and the rear seat could be folded to expand capacity.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series excelled as a luxury car, with a spacious interior that felt larger than a midsize sedan. The power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, wrapped in perforated Veganza artificial leather, with heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was equally comfortable, with good legroom, headroom, and footroom. However, passengers needed to be cautious of rough plastic at the front seat bases. Interior storage was adequate, with a tray for smartphones, door armrests, and a small bin under the center armrest. The trunk offered 18.4 cubic feet of space, but a spare tire storage box reduced cargo room. The enclosed trunk hinges maximized available space, and deep wells on either side of the spare tire container were useful.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcased advanced technology with the third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The digital instrumentation could be configured to various themes, and an optional head-up display provided additional information. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation with augmented video technology. MBUX allowed for personalized experiences with up to 800 settings saved to driver profiles and programmable routines. Online music and video streaming were available, and a 17-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system was optional. The Superscreen Package added a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the passenger and a video camera for selfies and conference calls. The MBUX system was intuitive and responsive, with a conversational digital voice assistant. However, the assistant occasionally activated without prompting, which was unsettling.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single curved display. The BMW Curved Display ran iDrive 8.5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, a personal eSIM 5G connection, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and more. The iDrive controls were part of a gloss-black touch-sensing panel, which collected lint and fingerprints. The Premium Package added a head-up display and Natural Interaction for voice and gesture controls. The Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) voice control was hit-and-miss, with some impressive features but also some frustrating experiences. The optional Bowers and Wilkins surround-sound system was a reasonable upgrade, but the sound quality was not up to expectations. The Premium Package also included Parking Assistant Plus, with an exterior camera array and an interior camera for monitoring and selfies.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came with numerous safety features, with the option to add the Driver Assistance Package for $1,950, which included 15 additional technologies. Highlights included upgraded Pre-Safe pre-collision features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping, lane-centering, and lane-change systems. The Automatic Lane Change function allowed the car to change lanes automatically when using adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. However, some features, like Active Speed Limit Assist and Route-based Speed Adaptation, could be liabilities in certain driving conditions. The lane-keeping assist system was particularly impressive, providing decisive steering when needed.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series came with Active Driving Assistant, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. BMW Assist eCall was also standard. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added more advanced features, but our test car did not have this package. The lane-departure warning system was sophisticated, issuing alerts only when necessary, and the lane-keeping assist function was subtle. The 5 Series earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it did not receive the higher Top Safety Pick+ rating.