When choosing the 2025 MotorTrend Car of the Year, we didn’t pick the flashiest or most futuristic model. It’s not an electric sports car or a revival of a legendary classic. Instead, the winner is a car that has been meticulously refined over decades to offer a blend of comfort, performance, and sophistication. The 2025 Car of the Year is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a midsize luxury sedan that sets a new standard for what a luxury car can be in the 21st century.
A New Look for an Icon
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has long walked the line between the opulence of the S-Class and the more accessible C-Class. In recent years, it seemed to struggle with its identity, borrowing elements from both ends of the spectrum. But for 2024, Mercedes has given the E-Class a fresh, distinct identity. Available as a sedan, wagon, and the rugged E450 All-Terrain, the new E-Class feels more cohesive and confident than ever before.
The E-Class’s exterior design is unmistakably Mercedes but more refined. The sedan’s side profile is sleek and elegant, with subtle details that echo the brand’s classic styling while adding modern sophistication. The wagon, with its tapered roofline, offers a sportier look, while the All-Terrain variant introduces a more adventurous profile, blending luxury and utility seamlessly.
Inside, the E-Class is equally impressive, featuring a beautifully cohesive cabin with large, high-tech displays and a minimalist design that prioritizes comfort and usability. The new dashboard integrates a massive 3D digital instrument cluster and an optional passenger-facing Superscreen, making the interior both futuristic and functional. Mercedes pays great attention to detail, such as the elegant door pulls and stylish air vents, creating a space that’s as visually pleasing as it is comfortable.
Practical Luxury and Comfort
The 2024 E-Class stands out for its practicality, with thoughtful design elements that make it easier to live with. The center console now includes hidden wireless charging ports, foldaway cup holders, and more space for personal items. Rear-seat passengers get more legroom, and the trunk capacity is improved, offering impressive storage space for both the sedan and wagon models.
Mercedes also focused on refining the ride comfort of the new E-Class. The wheelbase has been lengthened for greater stability and interior space. Updated suspension systems, including the AirMatic air suspension and optional four-wheel steering, enhance comfort and handling. The All-Terrain version adds extra ride height and off-road capabilities, making it even more versatile.
By separating the coupe and convertible variants into the new CLE-Class, Mercedes has allowed the E-Class to focus on being the ultimate midsize luxury sedan. This clear focus has resulted in a car that blends luxury, comfort, and everyday usability seamlessly.
Power and Efficiency
For 2024, Mercedes has made significant improvements to the E-Class’s powertrain lineup. The E350 sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This setup enhances both power delivery and fuel efficiency.
The E450 models, including the sedan and All-Terrain, feature a refined 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, now paired with a more efficient mild-hybrid system. This engine produces 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, ensuring smooth and responsive performance. All E450 models come with all-wheel drive as standard.
Both powertrains benefit from hybrid technology that allows the E-Class to operate in electric-only mode for short periods, improving fuel efficiency. The E350 achieves up to 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined, while the E450 delivers 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. In real-world driving, both models impress with their fuel economy, even under more demanding conditions.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The 2024 E-Class is packed with advanced technology, including Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment system. This new system is faster, more intuitive, and capable of over-the-air updates, allowing the car to stay up-to-date with new features and apps. The system supports third-party apps like Zoom, TikTok, and YouTube, and even offers AI-driven features that can suggest personalized settings for the driver.
For example, the E-Class can learn your preferences over time, suggesting things like seat massage or climate control adjustments based on your driving habits. The system’s interface has also been redesigned to make it more user-friendly, with large, easy-to-navigate icons and intuitive controls. However, the reduction of physical buttons in favor of haptic controls may take some getting used to, and some users may still find the voice assistant less conversational than expected.
Impressive Performance and Safety
On the road, the E-Class delivers exceptional performance without sacrificing comfort. The E450’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine is powerful and smooth, offering plenty of torque for relaxed highway cruising and responsive acceleration. Its hybrid system effectively smooths out power delivery, eliminating turbo lag and ensuring a seamless driving experience.
Handling is equally impressive, with the E-Class offering precise steering and a suspension that keeps the ride smooth without compromising on performance. The E450 All-Terrain takes this a step further with off-road capabilities that make it more rugged without sacrificing luxury. It can tackle light off-road trails with ease, thanks to its higher ground clearance and advanced suspension system.
Mercedes also includes a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic lane changes, which make highway driving less stressful. The E-Class also features the latest in active safety tech, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, ensuring peace of mind for both driver and passengers.
Verdict: A Luxury Sedan Worth the Investment
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class isn’t just about looks—it’s a complete package that excels in comfort, performance, and innovation. With a starting price of $63,600 for the E350, $72,000 for the E450, and $77,250 for the E450 All-Terrain, the E-Class is positioned competitively within the luxury midsize sedan segment.
While it may not be the most flashy choice, the E-Class delivers unparalleled luxury and a driving experience that’s both refined and practical. It’s a car that doesn’t shout for attention but instead exudes quiet confidence and excellence. For these reasons, the 2025 MotorTrend Car of the Year is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class—a car that combines timeless luxury with cutting-edge technology, and sets the bar for what a modern luxury sedan can be.