In the luxury sedan segment, not just in India, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been the safe, staple choice. From the earth-shattering power in the AMG models to the more sedate everyday usability of lower versions the E 200 and E 220d, the range has accommodated nearly every kind of buyer in the segment. Then, naturally, the question arises: what if you wanted the best of both worlds? Say the comfort and space of a long-wheelbase E-Class luxury sedan but also the firepower that could possibly make it a legitimate ‘AMG’. That’s when you need the new Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC. With its powerful six-cylinder petrol engine, it can match nearly all your performance needs, while, at the same time, look sharp in its AMG-ed three-piece suit of a bodywork. 

The new E-Class is a clear evolution of the existing Mercedes-Benz design, but it’s definitely a step up in terms of athleticism, especially in the more sporting E 450 avatar. The front is assertive thanks in part to the iconic three-pointed-star-adorned grille, sharper cuts on the front bumper, and the remarkably balanced use of chrome — to keep a nice mix of sporty and luxury. The full-LED headlights follow the company’s latest design direction and complement the slightly aggressive look that the DRLs and the car’s wide front bring to the table. 

Stretching across the dash, the widescreen setup delivers a sleek, high-tech feel with a more driver-friendly, ergonomic design.

Stretching across the dash, the widescreen setup delivers a sleek, high-tech feel with a more driver-friendly, ergonomic design. | Photo Credit: Ishaan Jaiswal

Pretty handsome

Similar to the current EQ range, the car’s taillights get triangular elements. The split design light looks nice and leaves quite an impression. It’s not surprising, though, as given the tremendous amount of performance on offer, the rear is likely to be what others will get used to seeing. Unless you’re a bystander, in which case you’ll appreciate how elegantly the E 450’s profile showcases its elongated cabin, fairly long bonnet, short overhangs, and smooth roofline. The inclusion of 18-inch wheels on the AMG trim further adds to the car’s appeal, because they are pretty handsome wheels in isolation, too. 

As far as looks go, the E-Class is distinctly more characterful than before but without losing an ounce of luxury. Get inside the cabin, and it becomes clear why buyers across the globe love the E-Class. With its nice mix of rich materials, tech, and solid craftsmanship, the E-Class’s cabin feels like a great place to be, and we can quite confidently say the E 450’s fits that description well. 

Generous cushioning

Seats all around are comfortable, but the front ones get electric adjustability and memory feature, while the rear ones surprise with generous cushioning. There’s no dearth of space for rear passengers, but with a separate climate zone, retractable sunblinds, and reclining seatbacks, there’s no doubt this is our preferred seat, too. There’s no ventilation feature, unfortunately, and I hope Mercedes-Benz adds that in the future. 

A wide-screen setup takes the entirety of the dashboard, but unlike the Hyperscreen in Merc EVs, this one is a more ergonomic approach, I feel. Three large displays are brought together to allow a screen each for the driver and passenger, and a central infotainment unit. Easy to read and access, the displays are complemented by physical shortcut buttons for things like drive modes, volume, climate control functions, etc. There’s also ambient lighting, which allows you to set the mood of the cabin as per your preference, while the Burmester 4D sound system pretty much turns the E 450 into a concert hall on wheels. 

Blending luxury, tech, and craftsmanship, the E-Class cabin feels like first-class on four wheels.

Blending luxury, tech, and craftsmanship, the E-Class cabin feels like first-class on four wheels. | Photo Credit: Ishaan Jaiswal

The E 450 is powered by a 3-litre six-cylinder engine, which makes 380 bhp and 50.98 kg-m. An additional 20 bhp and 20.9 kg-m is made available when asked for, thanks to the onboard mild-hybrid system. Unlike the standard iteration of the E-Class, which is rear-wheel-drive, the E 450 comes equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The resulting power put down effectively on the tarmac means the car can do 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. That is quite impressive for a luxury sedan, isn’t it? 

The engine itself is extremely smooth, and the E 450’s power delivery is quite refined and linear in nature. In Comfort mode, it feels relaxed, and it becomes more alive in Sport mode. The throttle becomes more responsive, and even the engine note turns from nearly silent to something with a nice, deep growl. On the move, the car maintains composure at all times. It’s got an abundance of power, and that shows when you pick up speed — or, indeed, need to overtake while cruising. 

Its suspension reflects the car’s position as a middleweight hero. It offers a great balance between AMG firmness and the suppleness that the standard E-Class exhibits. Even on roads with imperfections (potholes, undulations, bad tarmac...), the E 450 stays calm and composed, and more importantly, its occupants aren’t tossed around as you negotiate bad roads. Some credit for that must also go to Mercedes-Benz’s decision to wrap those nice 18-inch wheels with high-profile tyres. 

Built with comfort in mind

This could make you believe that the E 450 is more comfort-focussed, but in reality, show it a corner and it’ll deliver. You can’t defy Physics, so it’s bound to have some body roll, but the way the E 450 feels planted, even when cornering, shows how sedans are vastly superior to SUVs in this environment. The E 450 itself establishes to be the sweet spot in the E-Class line up with AMG-like performance and comfort that’s typically that of an E-Class. 

Priced ₹92.5 lakh, ex-showroom, it’s about ₹15 lakh more than the base-spec, petrol-powered E, but it offers you a longer list of features, a powerful six-cylinder engine, and 4MATIC AWD grip. It also looks quite stylish without losing out on the stately appeal of a long luxury sedan. 

If you’re in the market for a luxury car that offers the best of performance and luxury, the E 450 makes a stronger case for itself and sedans in general than many others in the past. No wonder everyone loves the E, but we are glad to inform you that the E 450 is even better than you would think. 

© Motoring World

Published on June 13, 2025