2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sure Does Look Like An EQ Model

Kyle Patrick
by Kyle Patrick
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, AMG Line; Exterieur: Verdesilber; Interieur: Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell // Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG line; exterior: verde silver; interior: Nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, AMG Line; Exterieur: Verdesilber; Interieur: Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell // Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG line; exterior: verde silver; interior: Nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console

The German brand calls the latest 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a “bridge” between combustion and electric. It sure looks like it.

Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday revealed the latest E-Class to the world. Either the sixth or the 11th generation depending on how you look at it, the redesigned mid-sized sedan is tasked with bridging the gap between the gas-powered present and the all-electric future.

SEE ALSO: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC Review

To that end, Mercedes has draped its best-seller in new sheetmetal that incorporates cues from the EQ sub-brand. It starts up front with a high-gloss black surround around the grille, which is larger and features different trim patterns based on options. The trim visually connects the grille to the LED headlights, providing the E-Class with a distinctive “mask” much like the EQS and EQE. Merc’s typical eyebrow-style daytime running light signature is standard on both the stock headlights and the optional Digital Light upgraded units.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, AMG Line; Exterieur: Verdesilber; Interieur: Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell // Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG line; exterior: verde silver; interior: Nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, AMG Line; Exterieur: Verdesilber; Interieur: Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell // Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG line; exterior: verde silver; interior: Nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console

Move around the E-Class and the shape is still traditional, all cab-backward proportions instead of the EQ one-box approach. The flanks are just a little softer, a little more round than before—another EQ nod. Mercedes’ designers have broken up the clean surfaces with a subtle shoulder line that fades in and out across the length of the car.

SEE ALSO: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 SUV Review

Out back, the E-Class shakes up Merc’s current full-width taillight trend with more angular outer shapes. The lighting elements within now glow with little three-pointed star designs, too.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, AMG Line; Exterieur: Verdesilber; Interieur: Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell // Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG line; exterior: verde silver; interior: Nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, AMG Line; Exterieur: Verdesilber; Interieur: Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell // Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG line; exterior: verde silver; interior: Nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console

There’s little difference in the size of the E-Class: it measures just a third of an inch longer (9 millimeters) than before, and has grown in width by about as much. Height is the same as before. The wheelbase has expanded by 0.87 inches (22 mm), to 116.57 in (2,961 mm).

The coupe and convertible are both gone for this generation; Mercedes will spin them out into their own CLE models in due time.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, Exclusive Line; Exterieur: Nautikblau; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige, Mittelkonsole Holz Ahorn braun offenporig aluminium lines // Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exclusive line; exterior: nautic blue; interior: leather  macchiato beige, centre console in brown open-pore maple wood with aluminium lines
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, Exclusive Line; Exterieur: Nautikblau; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige, Mittelkonsole Holz Ahorn braun offenporig aluminium lines // Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exclusive line; exterior: nautic blue; interior: leather macchiato beige, centre console in brown open-pore maple wood with aluminium lines

Moving inside the E-Class, Mercedes has carved out extra head-, leg-, knee-, and shoulder room. The cabin design evolves the brand’s current approach, with a large “floating” dashboard design and a smooth, wraparound look stretching from the windshield base to the door panels. It wouldn’t be a modern Merc without heaps of ambient lighting, either—and now there’s an optional feature that syncs the lighting to music or sounds from apps. As is typical, there are a variety of trim and material options, including a combo of undyed alpaca wool and recycled material in the base seating. A large center console cover keeps that area looking tidy when not in use.

SEE ALSO: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 Cabriolet Review: Come Sail Away

In the center of the dashboard lies Superscreen, Mercedes’ latest infotainment solution. As we detailed back in February, the big news is under the skin, where Mercedes has centralized processing with one primary computer. This should make for much quicker responses and a smoother user experience, with a greater availability of popular apps. To that end, the E-Class will ship with WebEx, Zoom, web browser Vivaldi… and TikTok and Angry Birds. An optional passenger-side display uses a two-stage safety lock-out to ensure the driver can’t access the screen, and a camera-based blocking system to protect them from watching it, too.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, Exclusive Line; Exterieur: Nautikblau; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige, Mittelkonsole Holz Ahorn braun offenporig aluminium lines // Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exclusive line; exterior: nautic blue; interior: leather  macchiato beige, centre console in brown open-pore maple wood with aluminium lines
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, Exclusive Line; Exterieur: Nautikblau; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige, Mittelkonsole Holz Ahorn braun offenporig aluminium lines // Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exclusive line; exterior: nautic blue; interior: leather macchiato beige, centre console in brown open-pore maple wood with aluminium lines

There’s also an optional selfie camera that sits atop the dashboard, doubling as a video camera for pertinent apps.

The latest version of MBUX ditches the oversized icons for something more familiar from modern smartphones. There are multiple display modes and styles, too. Users can save up to seven different driver profiles in the system, and they can be sent to each individual seat. Certain markets will also be able to spec a 5G tech package.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, Exclusive Line; Exterieur: Nautikblau; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige, Mittelkonsole Holz Ahorn braun offenporig aluminium lines // Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exclusive line; exterior: nautic blue; interior: leather  macchiato beige, centre console in brown open-pore maple wood with aluminium lines
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, Exclusive Line; Exterieur: Nautikblau; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige, Mittelkonsole Holz Ahorn braun offenporig aluminium lines // Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exclusive line; exterior: nautic blue; interior: leather macchiato beige, centre console in brown open-pore maple wood with aluminium lines

At launch, there will be two 2024 E-Class drivetrain options: the E 350 and E 450. Both come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive and mild-hybrid systems. The former uses Merc’s 2.0-liter turbo-four, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 450 uses the silky-smooth inline-six cylinder, producing a stouter 375 hp and 369 lb-ft. Both also gain short access to an additional 20 hp and 148 lb-ft through the mild hybrid system. We fully expect hotter AMG models plus increased levels of hybridization to debut over the next year or two.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will launch late this year in E 350 guise, while the E 450 will bow early in 2024. Expect more details on pricing and trim levels closer to launch.

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Kyle Patrick
Kyle Patrick

Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.

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