2025 Toyota Camry vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class presented a refreshing 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 Toyota Camry's redesign was most noticeable from the front, where it adopted a more cohesive and business-like appearance. It echoed the new Prius and bore a family resemblance to the Lexus spindle grille, termed the "hammerhead front face" by Toyota. Standard LED headlights and daytime running lights enhanced its assertive look. The profile remained largely unchanged, but the rear window surround extended further into the sail panel, emphasizing the coupe-like roof. The Camry offered a range of wheel designs, with the sporty XSE trim featuring 19-inch wheels in black and Smoke Gray. The XSE also offered a two-tone paint job with a Midnight Black Metallic roof. Inside, the Camry's new dash layout was a departure from its predecessor, with a center touchscreen housing that flowed across the passenger's side. While the quilted Dinamica microfiber in the XLE test car was not favored, the microfiber on the leather seats was limited to small patches. The base LE trim featured fabric seating, while the SE had SofTex synthetic leather, and the XSE offered perforated leather seats.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the E 350 4Matic, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The E 450 4Matic offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive, along with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The E 350 provided ample power, though it fell short of its EPA-rated 27 mpg, achieving 23.8 mpg in testing. The optional Airmatic Package added an adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering, enhancing ride comfort and handling. While the E-Class excelled in comfort and luxury, it was not a sports sedan, with its strength lying in its soothing ride and quiet cabin.

The 2025 Toyota Camry introduced Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors. FWD models had two motors, producing 225 horsepower, while AWD models had three motors, generating 232 horsepower. The electronic AWD system provided extra traction with minimal impact on fuel economy, with estimated 50 mpg combined for AWD and 51 mpg for FWD. The Camry offered two suspension tunings, with the XLE focusing on comfort. The hybrid system transitioned smoothly between gas and electric power, though engine noise was noticeable at higher speeds. The braking system felt normal, and the hybrid system operated in the background, with an EV mode available for low-speed driving.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered comfortable front seats with options for MB-Tex artificial leather, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather. Heated and power-operated seats were standard, with ventilation available. The rear seat entry was challenging 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 to accommodate full-size suitcases, and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat expanded capacity.

The 2025 Toyota Camry XLE test car featured a heated steering wheel, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat. Heated and ventilated front seats were available for the XLE and XSE trims, with dual-zone climate control and rear-seat air vents standard. A panoramic moonroof was offered on the top trims. While Toyota had not published interior dimensions, changes were minimal, with front-row legroom comparable to the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid. Trunk space was estimated at 15.1 cubic feet, similar to the previous model.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcased the third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system with augmented video technology. The MBUX allowed for personalized experiences with up to 800 vehicle settings saved to seven driver profiles. 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 conference calls. The MBUX digital voice assistant was responsive and conversational, though it occasionally activated without prompting.

The 2025 Toyota Camry came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless charging pad and five USB ports were standard, with higher trims offering a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver information display. A 10-inch head-up display and a nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio system were available for the XLE and XSE trims. Subscription offerings included 4G Wi-Fi connectivity and Drive Connect, which added an Intelligent Assistant voice-recognition system. However, the voice recognition struggled during testing.

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 pre-collision features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping, lane-centering, and lane-change systems. The Automatic Lane Change function worked well but was not favored in heavy traffic. The Active Speed Limit Assist and Route-based Speed Adaptation systems were liabilities in fast-flowing traffic but could be turned off. The lane-keeping assist system was effective and practical for daily driving.

The 2025 Toyota Camry came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure alert, and road-sign assist. The Premium Plus Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, parking assist, and a panoramic view monitor. The Camry had not yet completed crash testing, but strong scores were expected based on its technology and Toyota's reputation. The 2024 Camry earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and scored well in NHTSA tests.