The 2022 Mercedes-benz E-class continues its legacy as a frontrunner in the luxury vehicle segment, offering a compelling blend of sophisticated design, cutting-edge technology, and exhilarating performance. Following its refresh in 2021, the E-Class remains a benchmark, earning accolades and the admiration of discerning drivers worldwide. While it narrowly missed reclaiming the Edmunds Top Rated Luxury Sedan award due to the arrival of its redesigned sibling, the S-Class, the 2022 E-Class stands strong as an exceptional choice in its own right.
Whether you envision yourself in the classic sedan, the sleek coupe, the breezy convertible, or the versatile wagon, the E-Class lineup caters to diverse preferences without compromising on luxury or refinement. Each body style boasts a meticulously crafted interior, brimming with premium materials and advanced technology, promising an unparalleled driving experience. For those seeking to elevate their drive further, the E-Class offers extensive personalization options, allowing you to tailor performance and technological features to your exact desires and budget.
In a fiercely competitive market populated by rivals such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Volvo S90, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to excellence across all facets of automotive engineering. Let’s delve into a comprehensive review to uncover why the E-Class remains a top contender for luxury car buyers.
Edmunds Expert Rating: A Testament to Excellence
Great
8.4/10
edmunds TESTED
The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team, renowned for their rigorous evaluations, has once again affirmed the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s superior standing. Through a combination of objective track testing and real-world assessments on diverse road conditions, the E-Class has earned an impressive 8.4 out of 10 Expert Rating. This score reflects the vehicle’s exceptional performance, comfort, technology, and overall refinement, solidifying its position as a leader in the luxury sedan class.
The 2022 refresh has subtly but effectively enhanced the E-Class, ensuring it not only maintains but elevates its status as the class benchmark. While not a radical transformation, the updates reinforce the core strengths of the E-Class: a premium interior, a remarkably smooth ride, and seamlessly integrated driver assistance technologies, all harmoniously packaged in a sophisticated and meticulously crafted vehicle. The Edmunds expert team, recognized as “America’s best test team,” has meticulously assessed every aspect, providing you with a reliable and insightful perspective on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Performance: Effortless Power and Poise
8/10
How does the 2022 E-Class perform on the road? The answer is, with remarkable smoothness and poise. The powertrain operates seamlessly, delivering effortless acceleration and a refined driving experience. The tested model, the E 450 4Matic sedan, showcased its prowess at the Edmunds test track, achieving a 0-60 mph sprint in a swift 4.9 seconds, positioning it among the quickest in its class. The all-wheel-drive system (4Matic) ensures optimal power delivery, enhancing traction and imbuing the E-Class with a sporty character, particularly when Sport mode is engaged.
Steering, while providing limited tactile feedback, is nonetheless quick and light, making maneuvering in urban environments and parking scenarios effortless. In cornering situations, the E-Class exhibits composure and stability without sacrificing ride comfort. While the braking performance is generally smooth and consistent, Edmunds’ testing revealed longer panic 60-0 mph braking distances compared to some luxury competitors. This suggests that upgrading to performance-oriented tires could significantly enhance braking capabilities.
Comfort: A Sanctuary of Serenity
9/10
Comfort is paramount in a luxury vehicle, and the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class excels in this domain, earning a stellar 9 out of 10 rating. It masterfully achieves “quiet refinement,” creating a serene and tranquil cabin environment. The seats are meticulously designed, offering ample support and adjustability to accommodate a wide range of body types. While the padding is described as firm, they remain remarkably comfortable even on extended journeys, ensuring driver and passenger fatigue is minimized.
The ride quality is exceptionally smooth and isolating, effectively filtering out road imperfections without creating an undesirable sense of detachment from the driving experience. The optional air suspension, featured in the test vehicle, is highly recommended for its ability to further enhance ride comfort and adapt to varying road conditions. The cabin is remarkably quiet, effectively suppressing road and wind noise, allowing for peaceful conversations or immersive enjoyment of the audio system. Even the engine note is a refined growl under acceleration, subtle enough to avoid intrusion while still providing auditory feedback of the powerful engine. The mild hybrid system contributes to seamless engine stop-start functionality, virtually eliminating vibrations or disruptions when the engine transitions at traffic stops. The climate control system is equally refined, operating quietly and distributing air evenly throughout the cabin, with rear vents adding to passenger comfort.
Interior: A Masterclass in Design and Ergonomics
8/10
The interior of the refreshed 2022 E-Class retains the elegant design introduced in 2017, incorporating subtle yet impactful updates. The integration of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system is a significant enhancement, offering intuitive control via a center console touchpad or an optional touchscreen interface. The majority of physical buttons are logically placed and easily decipherable, contributing to user-friendliness. One notable change is the steering wheel, which now features capacitive touch controls instead of traditional buttons. While modern, these touch controls may not be as immediately intuitive as their predecessors.
Achieving an ideal driving position is effortless, thanks to the extensive adjustability of both the seat and steering wheel. All essential controls and gauges are within easy reach and readily visible. Forward visibility is commendable; however, the narrow rear window necessitates reliance on the crisp backup camera system. Front occupants will find ingress and egress straightforward. Rear passenger space, while adequate, may be less generous than some competitors, potentially impacting knee room for taller individuals.
Technology: Leading the Charge in Innovation
9/10
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class stands at the forefront of automotive technology, earning a remarkable 9 out of 10 rating in this category, largely due to the inclusion of the MBUX infotainment system. MBUX represents a substantial leap forward compared to previous Mercedes systems, offering a comprehensive suite of features, user-friendly controls, and seamless device integration via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a dedicated smartphone app. The voice control system is genuinely useful, responding effectively to natural language commands. The navigation system is intuitive, and the augmented reality overlay feature provides clear and visually guided turn-by-turn directions. The optional Burmester audio system is highly praised, delivering an immersive and high-fidelity listening experience.
The E-Class also incorporates Mercedes-Benz’s latest advancements in driver assistance technology. The adaptive cruise control system maintains a consistent and safe following distance in traffic, adjusting speed smoothly and responsively. The system intelligently anticipates speed limit changes and gentle curves, proactively adjusting vehicle speed for enhanced safety and convenience. The primary critique in this area is the usability of the steering wheel controls, which, as mentioned previously, could be more intuitive.
Storage: Practicality Meets Luxury
7.5/10
Storage within the 2022 E-Class is rated at 7.5 out of 10. The sedan’s trunk capacity of 13.1 cubic feet is considered somewhat modest for the luxury class, particularly when compared to the more capacious BMW 5 Series. However, the trunk space is well-shaped, being wide and tall, facilitating easy loading and organization of items. The folding rear seats, split in a versatile 40/20/40 configuration, enhance cargo-carrying flexibility. Small-item storage within the cabin is more generous, with a reasonably sized center console, door pockets, and glovebox. The inclusion of a wireless charging pad ensures a designated space for smartphone storage and charging. Installing car seats in the rear is generally manageable, although larger car seats may present a tighter fit. Car seat access points are conveniently located behind easily accessible plastic covers.
Fuel Economy: Efficiency Without Compromise
8/10
Fuel economy for the 2022 E-Class E 450 sedan is rated at 8 out of 10. The EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 25 mpg is commendable for a vehicle in this class, and notably more efficient than the previous generation’s turbocharged V6 engine. Remarkably, it achieves comparable fuel efficiency to the E 350 equipped with a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, providing a compelling combination of enhanced power and optimized fuel consumption. Edmunds’ real-world mixed-driving evaluation yielded 27.1 mpg, exceeding EPA estimates and indicating accurate fuel economy ratings.
Value: Luxury Worth the Investment
8/10
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is assessed as a good value, earning an 8 out of 10 rating. The tangible sense of quality and craftsmanship is immediately apparent, from the impeccable paint finish to the meticulously assembled interior. The cabin exudes a premium ambiance, with high-quality materials and attention to detail evident in every aspect. Even subtle elements, such as the tactile feedback of buttons and the smooth operation of air vent controls, reinforce the sense of luxury. However, the warranty coverage is considered somewhat standard, with a four-year/50,000-mile basic, powertrain, and rust warranty. While the basic and powertrain warranties are competitive, the rust warranty falls short of class leaders. Notably, unlike some luxury automakers, Mercedes-Benz does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Wildcard: The Essence of Subtlety and Sophistication
9/10
The “Wildcard” rating of 9 out of 10 underscores the 2022 E-Class’s defining characteristic: subtlety. The exterior design is elegant and understated, avoiding ostentation while projecting an aura of refined sophistication. The interior is undeniably stunning, creating a luxurious and inviting environment. The E-Class embodies the essence of luxury, maintaining its position as a benchmark for several years. Driving dynamics are engaging, though not overtly sporty in the manner of dedicated sport sedans. Instead, the E-Class excels as a “Q-ship,” offering potent and effortless power delivery coupled with a comfortable ride, making it an ideal vehicle for both relaxed cruising and spirited driving. For those seeking dynamic back-road experiences, the E-Class is certainly capable and willing.
Which 2022 E-Class Model Does Edmunds Recommend?
Edmunds recommends the E 450 as the most sensible choice within the 2022 E-Class lineup. Its 362 horsepower six-cylinder engine offers a more substantial performance upgrade, better suited to the vehicle’s size and character, compared to the E 350’s 255 horsepower four-cylinder. Furthermore, the E 450 comes standard with all-wheel drive (4Matic) on sedan and wagon models, enhancing all-weather capability and performance. Among the available options, the Driver Assistance package is deemed a near-essential addition, incorporating crucial luxury car features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, further enhancing safety and convenience.
Compare 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class trim levels
2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Models: Trim Levels and Configurations
The 2022 E-Class offers a diverse range of configurations, including four body styles – sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon – and three distinct trim levels: E 350, E 450, and AMG E 53. The sedan configuration accommodates five passengers, while the coupe and convertible seat four. Notably, the wagon variant, based on the sedan platform, includes optional rear-facing third-row seats, expanding seating capacity to seven, albeit best suited for children. These third-row seats can be folded flat into the floor when not in use.
The model designation numbers generally correlate with the engine type; however, standard features are largely consistent across the trim levels.
E 350: The entry point to the E-Class range, exclusively available as a sedan, featuring:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
- Nine-speed automatic transmission.
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option.
- 18-inch wheels.
- LED headlights.
- Simulated leather upholstery (MB-Tex).
- Heated front seats.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control.
Standard technology highlights include:
- Digital instrument cluster.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
- Onboard navigation system.
- Wireless phone charger.
Standard safety and driver assistance features encompass:
- Automatic emergency braking (with forward collision warning and mitigation).
- Blind-spot warning (alerts the driver to vehicles in adjacent blind spots).
E 450: Builds upon the E 350, offering enhanced performance and features:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD) on coupe and convertible models; all-wheel drive (AWD) optional.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) standard on sedan and wagon models.
AMG E 53: Elevates the E-Class’s performance and visual appeal with:
- More potent version of the turbocharged six-cylinder engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque.
- AMG-tuned performance all-wheel drive system.
- Sport-tuned air suspension for enhanced handling.
- AMG-specific exterior styling elements.
- 19-inch AMG wheels.
- Surround-view camera system (providing a 360-degree view for parking assistance).
- Heated steering wheel (coupe only).
- Burmester premium sound system.
Many of the luxury and performance-oriented features standard on the AMG E 53 are available as optional upgrades on the E 350 and E 450 models. Other notable optional packages and stand-alone features include:
- Air suspension (available on non-AMG models).
- Head-up display.
- Augmented reality navigation (overlaying navigation prompts on a live camera feed).
- Leather or premium Nappa leather upholstery.
- Heated and ventilated front seats.
- Multi-contour front seats with massage function.
- AMG sport steering wheel (AMG models only).
- Panoramic sunroof.
- Soft-close doors.
- Burmester 3D surround-sound system (upgrade from the standard Burmester system).
The Driver Assistance package, available across all models, includes a suite of advanced safety and driver-aid technologies:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a set following distance to the vehicle ahead).
- Evasive steering assist (provides steering support during emergency maneuvers).
- Lane keeping assist (gently steers the vehicle back into its lane if drifting is detected).
- Lane centering system (actively maintains the vehicle’s position in the center of the lane).
- Blind-spot intervention (actively prevents lane changes into occupied blind spots).
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