2025 Honda Civic vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class presented a departure from the cold, technical designs of many modern vehicles. It featured a long hood and short deck proportions, with softly rounded forms and cleanly penned flanks. The star-map grille texture and star-shaped taillight illumination added distinctive character, while a sweep of chrome defined the roofline. The variety of expressive wheel designs contributed to a look that was expected to age gracefully. As it went on sale, the E-Class 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, was heavily optioned, bringing the MSRP to $82,450. The interior was luxurious, featuring Tonka Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a Superscreen triple-display glass panel, and an active ambient lighting system, blending classic luxury with high-tech modernism.

The 2025 Honda Civic underwent subtle exterior updates, with a widened lower grille and slimmer air inlets, giving it a more aggressive look. The Civic Si enhanced its sporty appearance with a new honeycomb grille texture. Standard LED headlights and darker tail lights with a smoked effect elevated the styling. New colors were introduced, including Solar Silver Metallic and Urban Gray Pearl, with body style-specific options like Blue Lagoon Pearl for the sedan. The Civic Si featured a new 18-inch matte black wheel design, drawing inspiration from the Acura logo. Inside, the Si had red accents on the honeycomb dash and red seats, though the styling didn't carry through to the back row, creating a distinct difference between the cabin areas. Despite this, the Civic Si maintained its special character, appealing to those seeking a sporty yet practical vehicle.

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, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. For 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, reaching 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and included 4Matic AWD as standard. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system enhanced fuel economy, though our E 350 test car fell short of the EPA's 27 mpg combined rating, achieving 23.8 mpg. The optional Airmatic Package added an adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering, offering a smooth ride and impressive handling, though it felt slightly unnatural on rough roads. Overall, the E-Class excelled in comfort and luxury, providing a calming driving experience.

The 2025 Honda Civic lineup featured a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque, paired with FWD. The Civic Si, however, boasted a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. The Si came with a six-speed manual transmission, offering short throws and a light, manageable clutch. The ride was stiffer than the base Civic but provided responsive handling. The Civic Si included three dynamic drive modes, though the Sport mode's throttle sensitivity was more of a hindrance than a benefit. A new feature was the F1-inspired shift indicator on the digital driver-information display. While the Civic Si was user-friendly, it lacked some features like a traditional manual e-brake and gear indication on the dash, which might deter new manual drivers. However, for enthusiasts, the Civic Si remained a compelling choice.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a comfortable interior, with supportive front seats available in MB-Tex artificial leather, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather. The seats were heated and power-operated, with optional ventilation and a heated steering wheel. The center console's shape and lack of padding were minor drawbacks. 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 split-top center armrest. The trunk offered 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space, though this seemed optimistic. The trunk's height allowed for full-size suitcases, and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat expanded capacity.

The 2025 Honda Civic provided 39.3 inches of headroom and 42.3 inches of legroom in the front, with the Civic Si's headroom reduced to 37.6 inches due to the power moonroof. Rear passengers had 37.1 inches of headroom and 37.4 inches of legroom. The Civic Si's trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo volume, slightly less than other Civic Sedans. The Civic Hatchback excelled with 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Heated front seats were standard on the Civic Hybrid Sport and Si, but not available on the base LX or Sport. Leather seats were exclusive to the Hybrid Sport Touring. The Civic Si's interior focused on sportiness, with red accents and seats, though the rear cabin lacked the same attention to detail.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcased advanced technology with the third-generation MBUX infotainment system. It featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The digital instrumentation offered four themes, and an optional head-up display provided additional information. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system with augmented video technology. MBUX allowed for personalized settings and routines, while online music and video streaming were available. 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 AI occasionally activated without prompting, which was slightly unsettling.

The 2025 Honda Civic Si was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, Google Built-In, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with two front USB-C ports standard. The Si's 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster included F1-inspired shift lights and navigation instructions. The Civic Si's tech offerings matched the top Hybrid trim, providing a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class included numerous safety features, with the Driver Assistance Package offering 15 additional technologies for $1,950. Highlights included upgraded Pre-Safe features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping, centering, and change systems. The Automatic Lane Change function worked well but was less suitable for fast-flowing traffic. Active Speed Limit Assist and Route-based Speed Adaptation were also available but could be liabilities in certain situations. The lane-keeping assist system was effective, providing a natural fit for daily driving.

The 2025 Honda Civic featured Honda Sensing as standard, with enhanced collision-mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS and five-star overall ratings from the NHTSA. The improved frame rigidity contributed to its top marks in safety tests.