Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was a nod to the era when elegant sedans were the epitome of luxury. With its 208-inch length, the S-Class maintained a commanding presence on the road, offering a sleek and traditional luxury form. The seventh-generation model, introduced in 2021, retained its classic character with a more aerodynamic design, featuring smoother body lines, a larger grille, and retractable door handles. The long hood and wheelbase suggested a spacious interior, especially in the U.S. where only the long-wheelbase version was available. Inside, the S-Class boasted a horizontal dashboard layout, though the digital displays seemed awkwardly integrated. The cabin was adorned with premium materials, including supple leather and various trim options, showcasing Mercedes' commitment to quality construction.

In contrast, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, particularly the AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon, offered a fresh take on luxury with its performance-oriented design. The wagon's low-slung stance and practical roofline set it apart from the ubiquitous SUVs. The interior featured standard MB-Tex upholstery, but the test vehicle was upgraded with Nappa leather and natural grain wood trim. The Superscreen Package added a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, though it was more of a novelty than a necessity. The mix of materials exuded quality, but the metallic surfaces could become uncomfortably hot, and the screens were prone to collecting dust and fingerprints. Despite these minor drawbacks, the E-Class wagon was a standout choice for those seeking a unique blend of performance and practicality.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered a range of powertrains, starting with the S 500's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, delivering 442 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The S 580 featured a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, producing 496 hp and 516 lb-ft, slightly quicker to 60 mph. The AMG S 63 E Performance topped the lineup with a plug-in hybrid system, combining a twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor for a total of 791 hp and 1,055 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The S 580e plug-in hybrid, tested here, combined a six-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 503 hp and 553 lb-ft, with an estimated 48 miles of electric range. The S-Class delivered a smooth and refined driving experience, with a suspension tuned for comfort and rear axle steering enhancing maneuverability.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically the AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, a 120-kilowatt electric motor, and a 21.2-kWh battery. The system produced 577 hp and 553 lb-ft, with Race Start boosting output to 604 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The wagon offered an EPA-rated 41 miles of electric range and 22 mpg in hybrid mode. The AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon was equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic AWD, and adaptive damping AMG Ride Control suspension. Despite its weight, the wagon delivered impressive performance, though the brakes were inconsistent. The adaptive air suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires offered excellent grip. The E-Class wagon excelled in performance, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured spacious and comfortable front seats, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions standard. Storage space was adequate, with moderately sized cupholders and door pockets. The rear seats were equally accommodating, with optional features like heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The S-Class offered a disappointing cargo capacity of 8.1 cubic feet for the S 580e, though it appeared larger in practice. Other models increased capacity to 12.8 cubic feet, with a center pass-through door for longer items.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon offered superior cargo space, with 33.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The wagon's lower roofline could be a drawback for loading larger items, but it was more practical than the sedan. The standard heated front seats were comfortable, and the Multicontour Seating Package added rapid-heating, ventilation, and massagers. However, the E-Class wagon felt snug compared to the GLE SUV, with limited rear-seat legroom and challenging entry and exit due to its low stance. Interior storage was limited, with cupholders blocking the wireless phone charger and a large Starbucks cup easily tipping over.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Burmester surround-sound system. The Pinnacle trim added rear-seat amenities like an infotainment-system tablet and an entertainment system with two 11.6-inch displays. The voice-control technology was highly accurate, though the capacitive touch controls were frustrating to use. The infotainment system offered crisp graphics and quick responses, but the touchscreen's low placement was distracting.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Burmester 4D surround-sound system. The Superscreen option added a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, though it was more of a novelty. The MBUX system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, augmented reality navigation, and a natural-language digital voice assistant. However, the voice assistant struggled with specific requests, and the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel lacked the precision of traditional knobs and buttons.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The Pinnacle trim added rear-seat side and seatbelt airbags. The adaptive cruise control was particularly impressive, providing smooth transitions between acceleration and braking. While crash test results were unavailable, Mercedes-Benz maintained an impeccable safety record.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came with standard safety features like high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, and a surround-view camera system. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 16 additional systems, including adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and evasive steering assist. The safety systems operated transparently, providing a refined driving experience without annoying notifications or artificial steering sensations. Active braking technology ensured a safe following distance, and the touch-sensing steering wheel eliminated the need for constant steering inputs.