Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class for sale 

Mercedes-Benz has given way to the E300. This year, a more powerful E350 joins the family with a robust inline-4 engine that produces 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Even so, the E450 4Matic is the one to be preferred for its powerful twin-turbo V6 engine and AWD as standard. Many of the features are part of various packages that offer more comfort and are now standard across the board. For a smoother experience, Mercedes offers several other features as add ons that make the E-Class go well up to par with any previous generation Maybach or Bentley.

What would we recommend?

The E450 4Matic is the one to go for. It is not that much more expensive than the base sedan and offers impeccable handling thanks to its excellent AWD system. The driving fun is enhanced even further by the more powerful V6 engine.

Under the hood, the Mercedes-Benz E450 packs a 3.0L Biturbo V6 engine. It delivers 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels, thanks to Mercedes’ intelligent 4Matic AWD system. The turbochargers are sequential instead of parallel. Therefore, the lag is highly reduced and more power is available at lower revs. If that doesn’t fulfill your power requirements, then the AMG E53 and E63 S versions will surely do. The former has an inline-6 with a mild-hybrid powertrain that delivers 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The latter upgrades those figures to 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.

The transmission is a 9-Speed automatic that uses Mercedes’ trusted G-Tronic mechanism. It enables shorter steps between gear changes so that the shifts are smooth and seamless. The drive modes are easy to select with the Dynamic Drive selector switch located just below the touchpad. Using the paddle shifters, each gear change takes less than 150 milliseconds. It makes the powertrain an absolute joy when downshifting.

Most of the competition fails to match up to the E450’s power figures. However, the lower revs required to achieve the top figures are converted to a much more comprehensive driving experience. The Lexus LS 500 has a lot more power thanks to its bigger engine. With a 10-speed gearbox, it is managed way better than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which translates into better overall performance.

Is the E-Class Sedan fast?

Quite a bit. The initial thrust is a bit lackluster since the turbos need time to kick in. However, once the power reaches a peak, the E450 is like a force of nature. You suddenly experience a whole new face of a sedan that was previously very quiet and composed. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is capable of a 0-60 time of 5 seconds flat and a quarter-mile run would be over just under 14 seconds.

Even with the 4Matic AWD system, the E-Class struggles with getting grip off the line. This allows the BMW 5-series and Lexus LS 500 to gain an edge in 0-60 mph runs. Nevertheless, none of the luxury sedans in this price range can beat the Merc in a drag race. What they would succeed at doing is saving you a lot in the annual EPA emission taxes.

How good are the brakes?

With high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes bearing the Mercedes-Benz logo front and back, the E450 is dead serious about stopping power. The pedal is feather-light and the bite is electronically determined by an independent 4-wheel ABS that works in tandem with the Stability Control. This means that the magnitude of braking never feels out of place regardless of the speed of the car. It gives you confidence out on the track and convenience when driving in stop-and-go traffic.

A braking distance of 110 feet is required to stop the Mercedes E450 from 60 mph. It is commendable, although not as good as the braking performance of the prestigious Audi A6. The Lexus doesn’t have the braking performance or the smoothness of the Merc since it is way too bulky. The lightweight Bimmer comes close, though. The braking assist on the BMW 5-series comes to close to the E-Class in terms of performance. It is the weight distribution that lets the Bimmer gain an edge.

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Does the E-Class deliver on ride and handling?

The electromechanical steering makes it very easy to determine where the front end of the car is at all times. The 4Matic AWD provides a lot of traction around corners, making the E-Class stick to the road around the twistiest of hairpins without losing grip. However, turn the traction control off and put in the Sport+ mode, this makes you realize that the E450 is convenient to drift around corners. Even without using the Direct-Steer feature, the car is to-the-point in terms of handling.

For a more refined aspect of the car, such as the one you would expect on a long cruise, the Comfort mode gets you a smooth and sublime ride. With the adaptive air suspension and 4-wheel multilink, the E-Class is adept to take on the rough tarmac without much problem. With superior acoustic build inside the cabin, you can barely hear any road or wind noise. The subtle hum of the engine is only invasive at higher revs. These, too, can be counteracted by utilizing the active noise cancellation of Burmester’s premium audio system.

The Mercedes-Benz E450 doesn’t disappoint in terms of fuel economy. The combined EPA-rated 23 mpg is more than sufficient to make it easy on commutes, yet it fails in comparison to the fuel economy of other luxury sedans in the segment. When in heavy traffic, you can utilize the ECO start-and-stop mode that shuts off the engine when the car is stationary.

All of the competition surpasses the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan in terms of fuel economy, even the ones that pack in more power. Both the BMW 5-series and Audi A6 lead the charge. The Audi gets an edge since it offers more range thanks to its bigger fuel tank. The Lexus LS 500 doesn’t do so bad either, with the highway fuel economy at the top of the class. Its bigger fuel tank means the car can go even further without needing fill-ups during an extended excursion.

If you pay more than $60,000 for a four-door Merc, you expect an interior that is luxurious enough to spend an evening driving around without a cinch. The E-Class surely delivers with its upscale cabin, surrounding the passengers with nothing but its exceptional build quality and high-end materials. The seats can be made of Nappa leather that is hand-stitched into the headrests and seating surfaces. With the dashboard, you can have the option for Alcantara or fine-grain leather finish. There are no panel gaps visible from the inside of the car. The seats are 6-way power-adjustable, optional with multi-level heated, ventilated, memory, and massaging functions. Not to mention the dual-zone climate control, 64-color ambient lighting, and fragrant air circulation system, all available as standard.

With such a large range of luxury mods, it is difficult to get all the settings just right for the perfect drive. Thankfully, Mercedes offers an Energizing Comfort option that streamlines the whole process. You can select from a variety of presets that can take care of all the comfort settings for various functions for you. All the doors and the trunk lid can be operated remotely from well-labeled buttons on the console. Even the ignition can be done remotely via the Mercedes me connect mobile app.

If you closely observe the dimensions, the Mercedes is the one that best suits the passengers in the back. Its rear passenger space is much more generous, with the headroom ample enough for taller passengers. That space is substantial in the Audi and BMW sedans, but the less shoulder room makes it difficult to fit in three passengers in the second row. The Lexus LS 500 is the largest car in this segment, yet its interior space seems restricted compared to its size.

Does the E-Class have an advanced infotainment system?

Mercedes-Benz E-Class has some of the most advanced infotainment features ever put to use in a sedan. The infotainment is managed through two 12.3-inch LED touchscreens. One serves as the information display on the driver-side dash while the other is housed at the center of the console, handling multimedia and luxury. The screens use a COMAND system through touch or a controller next to the drive selector. It is swift and precise, although those looking for more convenience can always opt for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The sound is perforated throughout the cabin through one of two Burmester sound systems. The standard system has 13-speakers and a 590-Watt, 9-channel digital amplifier. It comes with ambient noise exclusion to deliver high-quality music for all the passengers. For those looking for an even more refined listening experience, there is a High-End alternative that has 23 speakers and two amplifiers. This one gets nothing but the most natural listening experience for every seat, combining analog and digital audio waves to produce the perfect sound for your audible desires.

Some additional Infotainment features include:

• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• AM/FM/HD Radio
• 2 USB Ports
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Connectivity
• Auxiliary Cable Input
• SD Card Reader
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Heads-Up Display

Can it carry some cargo?

When going for a luxurious sedan, you expect quite a lot of cargo space in the trunk. With a wheelbase of more than 115 inches, it's a shame that the E-Class fails to deliver on the cargo front. With a boot space of 13.1 cubic feet that is not even uniformly distributed, you would struggle to fit in more than a few large-sized suitcases. Thankfully, the second-row seats can be folded down to increase the cargo space at the expense of rear passenger space.

The small-item storage fares a lot better. There are cup holders and cubby storage for every passenger. Additionally, the center console has enough space for a variety of items like wallets and smartphones. The glove box is big enough for three A4-sized folders and features a refrigeration function. The side pockets offer decent storage space as well, big enough for medium-sized water bottles.

Interior Features

• Leather-Trimmed Steering Wheel
• Cabin Particulate Air Filter with Fragrance Control
• Homelink Garage Door Opener
• Illuminated Door-Sills
• Power Rear-Window Sunshade

While it is quite beautiful to look at, especially after the redesign of 2018, the exterior is putting on quite an age for the E-Class sedan. Changes to a few features to the front and rear don’t cut it anymore. While some may appreciate Mercedes sticking to their original design, those less familiar with the classic Mercs would go for the elegant BMW or the sleek Lexus LS.

The E450 comes standard with 18-inch 5-spoke wheels with AMG-derived 19- and 20-inch variants as optional. There are a dozen color choices for the exterior of the car, with even more as part of the AMG Line package. The diamond front grille and dual-LED tail lights give the E450 its characteristic look. Yet, even the side profile is enough to differentiate it from the entry-level C-Class and the more opulent S-Class models.

Is the Mercedes E-Class a luxury sedan?

As far as luxury sedans go, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs to the part of the spectrum that has smaller and lighter cars. The weight helps enormously with the E450’s performance and the compact size is ideal for the tight confines of the urban jungle. The low ground clearance adds in a hint of subtlety to the overall profile of the car. It also means that the E-Class has a lower center of gravity, making it more nimble around corners.

The Lexus LS 500 is the biggest luxury sedan in this segment. It is heavyset of the group that uses its sheer power to overcome its bulky dimensions. The Audi A6 comes the closest to matching the E-Class in terms of dimensions. The BMW is much lighter, although its improper weight distribution grants a sluggish experience when you take a sharp turn.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the safest sedans you can opt for. The 2020 version earned the Top Safety Pick+ Award from the IIHS and aced all the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA. Credit where credit is due. The E450 can withstand a force of more than 23,000 lbs. on its roof. The low center gravity greatly reduces the rollover rate as well. Not to mention the chassis that has reinforcement in the doors to prevent them from flying off in case of a collision.

Needless to say, the Mercedes W213 chassis is strong enough to survive the worst of impacts. But the guys over at Stuttgart are not satisfied with just a strong body frame. They have to go ahead and arm the car with all the safety features that would make you wonder why there needs to be a driver at all. The safety suite doesn’t offer full autonomy when driving the car, although it makes the job of the driver a lot easier. Highlights include a Pre-Safe system that takes control of the car’s systems if it senses that a collision is imminent, protecting the occupants in the event of a crash. A Driver Attention Alert is also present that keeps a tab on 70 different parameters to determine signs of fatigue in the driver.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact beams
• Car-to-X Communication
• Driver Attention Assist
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Airbags
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking
• Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
• Dual-stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Pre-Safe System
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• First Aid Kit
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• Rear-View Camera with Cross-Traffic Alert

Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Audi A6

Audi has been improving upon its prized luxury sedans for a lot of years. While the Merc gains the advantage in its powertrain, the Audi’s Quattro AWD system makes it much better around corners. The technology of both the German sedans is comparable, although the Merc’s interface is a tad bit smoother and more intuitive. Both the cars are engaging to drive, though the E-Class's luxury makes it a better pick over the A6.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Lexus LS 500

Lexus has been dubbed as the Japanese Mercedes, and with good reason. It can come up with all the latest tech and safety features that might resemble, but never quite surpass, any contemporary Mercedes-Benz. The comparison between the E-Class and LS 500 cements that fact. While the Lexus has a lot more tech as standard, the Merc offers so much more as part of its large list of customizations. The partial tests on the Lexus LS make it difficult to determine just how it fares against its European rival, though the Mercedes has earned a lot of respect with its awards.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs BMW 5-Series

There is just a hairline of difference between the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. If you round up the numbers, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference. The BMW is slightly more practical due to a bigger boot and better fuel economy. That advantage is lost when you take into account the impressive performance and tech that make their home inside the E-Class. Both cars have incredible attention-to-detail and excellent build quality. For those looking for a comfortable cruiser, the E-Class holds a bit more appeal. On the other hand, those looking to buy the 540i should prefer a more hands-on approach.

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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan stands at the forefront of luxury sedans and might hold that position well for some time. Its technology, safety, driving dynamics, and comfort is of a level that few other cars can compare to. If you are looking for a sedan that is a jack of all trades, the E-Class won’t disappoint.