2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: The Business Class on Wheels That Forgot About Fun
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always occupied a special place in the automotive world. It’s the car that says, “I’ve made it,” but without the ostentation of its larger S-Class sibling. It’s the understated, business-class sedan that you drive when you want to show you have taste, wealth, and an eye for refinement—but you’re too busy to care about flaunting it. In 2024, Mercedes has given the E-Class a full makeover, and while it’s every bit as luxurious and tech-laden as you’d expect, there’s a lingering question: where’s the fun?
First impressions matter, and the 2024 E-Class doesn’t disappoint—at least at first glance. The exterior has been thoroughly updated, yet it still carries the same sense of restrained elegance that’s been the hallmark of the E-Class for decades. The sleek, sweeping lines and understated chrome accents give the car a sense of grace that few other sedans can match. It’s a car that looks like it belongs parked outside a five-star hotel, subtly telling everyone around it that the owner is doing just fine, thank you very much.
The front end of the E-Class features a new, more aggressive grille flanked by slimmer, more angular LED headlights. Mercedes has clearly decided to modernize the look without sacrificing the car’s dignified presence. The result is a design that looks contemporary but not trendy—it won’t look outdated in five years, and that’s exactly what E-Class buyers want. The rear, too, has been tweaked, with new taillights that wrap around the corners of the car, adding a touch of flair to an otherwise conservative design. In all, it’s unmistakably a Mercedes, and it’s unmistakably an E-Class.
But here’s the thing: the exterior, while elegant, is almost too restrained. It’s a beautiful car, yes, but it doesn’t get your heart racing. It’s more of a nod-and-smile kind of beauty, not a drop-your-jaw, turn-your-head-in-traffic kind of beauty. And maybe that’s the point. The E-Class is for people who don’t need to scream about their success; they’re content with a polite golf clap. But in a world where even luxury sedans are starting to adopt more daring designs, the E-Class feels a bit… predictable.
Step inside, however, and any complaints about the exterior vanish almost immediately. The 2024 E-Class is a rolling temple of luxury, technology, and refinement. Mercedes has outdone itself with the interior, which feels less like the cabin of a car and more like the VIP lounge at an upscale airport. The materials are exquisite—leather, wood, and metal accents are everywhere, and everything you touch feels expensive. The seats are supremely comfortable, and they come with more adjustments than you’ll ever need, including heating, cooling, and massaging functions. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to sit in traffic just to enjoy the surroundings.
The dashboard is dominated by a massive 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen that controls just about everything in the car. The display is sharp, responsive, and beautifully integrated into the cabin design, giving the interior a futuristic feel. Behind the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be customized to show everything from traditional gauges to navigation maps. Mercedes calls this whole setup the MBUX Hyperscreen, and while it’s undeniably impressive, it can also be a bit overwhelming. There’s just so much tech here that it sometimes feels like you’re piloting a spaceship rather than driving a car.
The tech doesn’t stop at the screens, either. The E-Class is packed with gadgets and features designed to make your life easier. There’s augmented reality navigation, which overlays directions onto a live video feed of the road ahead, making it almost impossible to miss a turn. There’s also voice control, which allows you to adjust the temperature, change the radio station, or even set a destination by simply saying, “Hey, Mercedes.” It’s all very cool and very convenient, but there’s a learning curve. It’s the kind of tech that you’ll love once you figure it out, but it might take a while to get used to it.
Where the E-Class really shines, though, is in comfort. This car is designed to pamper you, and it does so with ease. The suspension is soft and compliant, soaking up bumps and potholes without ever disturbing the serenity of the cabin. The ride is so smooth that you almost forget you’re on the road at all—it feels more like gliding than driving. The cabin is also whisper-quiet, with virtually no wind or road noise to speak of. Mercedes has clearly gone to great lengths to insulate the cabin, and the result is a car that’s perfect for long highway cruises or city commutes.
But here’s where the controversy starts. In all its efforts to make the E-Class the most comfortable, refined car in its segment, Mercedes seems to have forgotten one key ingredient: fun. Driving the 2024 E-Class is, to put it bluntly, a bit boring. The steering is light, vague, and completely devoid of feedback. It’s great for making parking easier, but when you’re on a twisty road, you feel completely disconnected from what’s happening at the wheels. The suspension, while brilliant at absorbing bumps, is so soft that there’s a noticeable amount of body roll in corners. It’s not an issue if you’re just cruising along, but try to push the car a bit harder, and it quickly reminds you that it’s not interested in playing along.
The engine options are similarly tuned for comfort rather than excitement. The base model comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 255 horsepower, which is perfectly adequate for most driving situations. It’s smooth, quiet, and efficient, but it doesn’t exactly set your hair on fire. There’s also an available inline-six engine with 362 horsepower, and while it provides more grunt, it still lacks the visceral thrill you might expect from a car in this class. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly but lacks the urgency of some competitors’ setups.
For those who want a bit more excitement, there’s always the AMG E53, which packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 429 horsepower. But even in AMG form, the E-Class feels more like a comfortable grand tourer than a true sports sedan. It’s fast, sure, but it’s not engaging. The chassis is just too soft, the steering too numb, and the overall experience too sanitized to get your pulse racing. It’s a car that’s built to cruise the autobahn at high speed, not to attack a back road with gusto.
And that’s the crux of the issue with the 2024 E-Class. It’s a car that excels at being comfortable, luxurious, and packed with tech, but it’s not a car for people who love to drive. If you want a vehicle that makes you feel something when you’re behind the wheel, you’re going to be disappointed. The E-Class is like a first-class flight—it’s an incredibly comfortable way to get where you’re going, but you don’t really care about the journey itself.
Of course, not everyone wants their luxury sedan to be exciting. For many buyers, the E-Class will be perfect. It offers all the luxury, technology, and comfort you could ever want, and it does so in a package that’s classy without being showy. It’s a car for people who care more about arriving in style than how they got there. But if you’re someone who actually enjoys driving, you might find yourself wishing for something a bit more engaging.
In the end, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a masterclass in luxury, but it’s also a reminder that sometimes, luxury comes at the expense of fun. If you’re looking for a plush, comfortable, tech-filled sedan that will make you feel like royalty on every drive, the E-Class is a fantastic choice. But if you want something that will make you smile every time you get behind the wheel, you might want to look elsewhere.
