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Although the current generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class was launched in 2017, the luxury sedan has remained the leader in its class. And even Mercedes seems to agree that not much needs to change for the mid-cycle update. The 2021 E-Class received only a few cosmetic and technological changes across the line, with the only major mechanical changes applied to the six-cylinder E 450, the subject of our review. Tweaks have generally made the already excellent sedan that much better.
The exterior changes are small but effective. The front fascia has downward-sloping headlamps and a wide grille that scowls for more mean behavior. It also echoes the sportier AMG models, as do the dual-power domes on the hood. The tail sees the biggest visual changes with a switch to thinner horizontal taillights from the taller, pod-like units of the previous model. The derailleur raises the tail and makes it look a bit longer, and the whole car is slightly better balanced. It also brings you more in line visually with the new S-Class.
Inside, there are new steering wheel designs with small round centers and slim, modern spokes that feature fully touch-sensitive buttons for the infotainment system, upgrading to the full MBUX experience. That means the center console control hardware has been updated with the leather-like touchpad (the old rotary knob underneath a glossy black touchpad is gone), while the dual infotainment displays 12.3-inch and instruments become standard. In addition to the hardware, the E-Class also features MBUX’s natural voice voice controls and available augmented reality navigation assistance. The latter overlays the navigation information on the front camera feed to clearly mark streets and turns.
Driver assistance technology is also updated to the latest and greatest from Mercedes. The optional Driver Assistance Package has been enhanced with Forward Collision Prevention that works around corners, blind spot monitoring for those exiting the car, and an improved adaptive cruise control that will adjust speed based on roads, vehicle limits, speed and traffic.
The E-Class engines will carry over to 2021 with the exception of the E 450s, so this is where we’ll really start to investigate what this car looks like. The old 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 has been swapped out for a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six. Output is identical between the two engines at 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, but the change makes possible the introduction of a 48-volt mild hybrid assist system with a starter / generator that produces 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It also appears to have been effective in helping improve fuel economy over the older engine, with city and combined fuel economy going up 3 mpg to 23 and 26, respectively. Highway fuel economy improved 2 mpg to 30. The same nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive continues.
2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450
Going beyond the numbers, the inline six is a lovely engine to experiment with. It pulls impressively hard through the rev band. Throttle response is excellent too, making it a fun engine to work with. It is very smooth and insulated. At low revs, it is almost silent and the start-stop system is perfect. The ground exhibits a slightly harsh growl, but it is not terribly unpleasant, and its other excellent characteristics make up for any slight rudeness.
The transmission is equally civilized and makes smooth gear changes. The shift logic is also pretty clever, favoring high gears in comfort and eco modes for peace of mind and fuel economy, while being more aggressive in upshifting and downshifting in sport modes. It’s a bit slow to shift compared to the lightning-fast gear changes of, say, a BMW 5 Series. The lack of a full-time manual shift mode is also a bit frustrating for driving enthusiasts. While you can select gears manually with the paddles, the car will revert to automatic mode if you haven’t changed gears after a while. This can be especially annoying when driving down a long stretch of road.
It’s something that has been rectified in the AMG versions of the E-Class, but it’s still worth mentioning because even the E 450 is a rewarding car for driving enthusiasts. Put it in the sportiest setting, and the body roll is very smooth, the steering weighted well, and the chassis quite responsive. The car feels light and is impressively communicative. The steering is a bit numb, but precise and precise. As a result, you feel connected and confident as you push this great sedan through the curves.
Sportier modes make the ride a bit stiff and bumpy, albeit serene. As such, you probably want to keep it in comfort and eco modes for long trips and daily trips. In those modes, the suspension is smooth but stable for a silky smooth ride. Add to that the quiet engine and cabin, and the E-Class is a serene machine.
2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450
Speaking of the cabin, it’s still one of the most beautiful in the industry. Customers have a large selection of leather and wood upholstery, all of the highest quality and that will beg to be caressed by your hands. The generously applied ambient lighting adds some visual pizzazz, and the dual displays are bright and sharp with plenty of ways to customize the appearance and layout of the information. You also have multiple ways to interact with the infotainment system, whether it’s with the touchscreen, the touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel and center console, or with the available MBUX voice control. And our past experience with MBUX voice control has always been positive, being easy to use and responsive. Augmented reality navigation is also very useful, as it helps make it very clear where your turn is or where a poorly marked street is.
Unfortunately, the touchpads are the first of a couple of weaknesses in the E-Class. With many functions comes many menus and layers of menus, and it can get tedious to navigate with many repeated swipes. The inputs using the pads are also not as accurate and precise as when using control knobs or jog wheels. This is particularly annoying with the cruise control and volume touch pads on the steering wheel.
The other complaint we have about the interior of the E-Class is that it is a bit tight. Its 5-foot-11-inch author found that the center tunnel steals room for your knees and means you may find your throttle leg rubbing against it frequently. Headroom and hip room is fine in the front, at least. It’s the same story in the back where the author’s knees brushed against the back of the driver’s seat in their preferred position.
However, these are fairly minor complaints. The E-Class overall remains one of the best-built and most luxurious sedans in its class. It handles and drives beautifully, and its solid powertrain lineup has been improved with a new engine that’s just as good as the old one, but more efficient. And as a final bonus, the entire E-Class range is only slightly more expensive than the previous model year. For this new-engine E 450, the base price goes up by just $ 505. As such, there has never been a better time to choose this mid-size luxury leader.
