Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Subaru Impreza

The 2024 Subaru Impreza boasted a more aggressive and sporty aesthetic than its predecessor, especially in its sixth-generation styling. The grille was larger and more angular, complemented by narrower LED headlights that gave it a focused squint. Unlike other Subaru models, the Impreza maintained body-colored wheel arches, emphasizing a more street-oriented style. The RS trim level added side skirts for a low-slung appearance, while the rear haunches featured flared fenders, suggesting a wider and more athletic stance compared to the Honda Civic or Mazda 3 hatchback. Despite this, the Impreza still exuded a rugged essence absent in many of its competitors.

Inside, the Impreza showcased a modern look with its vertical 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen on the Sport and RS trims. The Base model, however, included two 7-inch displays. The overall layout, dash, and steering wheel closely mirrored the last-generation Impreza. The RS trim stood out with red stitching and red seat upholstery accents, enhancing its sporty vibe. Materials quality was commendable for its class, especially with cushioned soft-touch materials in areas prone to touch by the driver or front passenger. The rear seats opted for hard plastics to ensure durability against kids or pets.

In contrast, the redesigned 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class defied the cold and technical feel of many modern vehicles, adhering instead to classic aesthetics with long hood and short deck proportions, gently rounded forms, clean flanks, and bold detailing. The E-Class featured a star-map grille texture, star-shaped taillight illumination, sweeping chrome roofline, and various expressive wheel designs. Its look was both distinctive and timeless.

At launch, the E-Class was available in E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic sedan models, starting at $62,300 plus a destination charge. Our test car, heavily optioned at $82,450 including destination, dripped in luxury with Tonka Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a Superscreen triple-display glass panel across the dashboard, active ambient lighting, and an interior blending classic luxury with cutting-edge modernism.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered a choice between two engines. The Base and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim upgraded to a 2.5-liter engine with 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with Sport and RS trims adding steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. All-wheel-drive (AWD) was standard across all Impreza models. The manual transmission was not available.

The RS model, the sportiest of the lineup, exhibited responsive acceleration, especially for a CVT-equipped vehicle. Despite being more than adequate, acceleration wasn’t overly impressive, raising concerns about the smaller engine's performance. With light to moderate pedal pressure, the engine remained quiet. However, harder acceleration increased noise levels, and the typical CVT drone was interrupted by simulated gear changes. Handling was relatively sporty, aided by its AWD, which also enhanced traction. The sport-tuned suspension on the Sport and RS trims allowed the Impreza to corner confidently and delivered comfort over rough surfaces thanks to its sound insulation. The Impreza's standard AWD drivetrain gave it a traction advantage over competitors like the Honda Civic Si and the Mazda 3 hatchback.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4Matic was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, propelling it to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The E 450 4Matic, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and included 4Matic AWD as standard. They also featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter/generator, enhancing fuel economy by offloading engine tasks and assisting with up to 23 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque for launching.

The E 350 offered power sufficient for most drivers, feeling swift when accelerating. However, it underperformed regarding fuel economy, achieving only 23.8 mpg on a testing loop against an EPA estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving. The E-Class, especially with the optional Airmatic Package's adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering system, glided smoothly over road surfaces. Although it wasn’t a true sports sedan, its calm, quiet, and comfortable ride was its primary allure. Handling curves and rough roads effortlessly, it presented a remarkable balance of comfort and stability, securing its status as a luxury car.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered a spacious cabin for front-seat passengers, prioritizing function over form. Primary controls were logically placed and easy to operate, with narrow front roof pillars aiding outward visibility. The large rear hatch glass provided a good view, though rear headrests could block some rearward visibility. Adequate drink storage for larger bottles and flasks was a nod to the active lifestyles of Subaru owners. The RS trim featured a wireless charging pad, although the plastic surface wasn’t ideal for phone placement. The large center armrest bin was practical for storing personal items.

The rear seats were surprisingly accommodating given the Impreza's compact exterior, offering enough headroom and legroom for six-footers. The cargo area held 20.4 cubic feet, slightly less than the Honda Civic but comparable to the Mazda 3. Folding the seatbacks increased the space to 56 cubic feet, though they didn’t lie flat. Importantly, the Impreza supported various roof racks for outdoor gear, which, despite not being rated for heavier overlanding tent platforms, remained a potential for adventurous owners.

In the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the front seats, wrapped in a choice of MB-Tex artificial leather, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather, provided support and comfort. These seats were heated, power-operated, with optional ventilation and a heated steering wheel. However, the center console's shape and lack of padding might cause discomfort. Entering and exiting the back seats was challenging due to intrusive rear wheel wells, but once seated, passengers enjoyed good leg support, a tall riding position, and decent legroom, though accommodating three could be tight.

Contrary to initial impressions, the E-Class had ample storage space, including sizable door pockets, a hidden center console bin with cupholders and a wireless smartphone charger, and a roomy bin under the split-top center armrest. The trunk offered 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space, though this number seemed optimistic. Even so, the trunk’s height allowed storage of full-size suitcases on their sides, and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat provided additional capacity when needed.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's technology was user-friendly and practical. The 11.6-inch touchscreen was visually impactful and easy to operate, with large on-screen buttons supplemented by physical knobs and buttons for volume, tuning, and temperature control. Secondary climate controls remained consistently accessible at the screen's bottom. Despite a slight delay between screen taps and actuation, the system was effective.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless connectivity on the Sport and RS trims. Though a native navigation system was unavailable, the incorporation of Google Maps via phone integration rendered it less critical. The Starlink system, available on Sport and RS trims, included a Wi-Fi hotspot and allowed some monitoring and control via a smartphone app.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a technological marvel, equipped with the third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It paired a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The digital instrumentation could be configured into Sport, Classic, Navigation, or Assistance themes, with an optional head-up display offering a 9-inch image showing essential information.

The infotainment system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system with augmented video technology. This technology provided a live video feed overlaid with graphics to show critical navigation points. The MBUX allowed for up to 800 different vehicle settings across seven driver profiles and programmable routines for specific times, days, or locations.

Our test car came with the Superscreen Package, which added a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger. This package replaced standard wood trim with a glass surface stretching across the dashboard. The Superscreen also included a video camera with selfie mode, compatible with Webex and Zoom apps. The MBUX technology was intuitive and responsive, simplifying tasks for anyone familiar with smartphones, and the conversational digital voice assistant enhanced the user experience, though it occasionally activated without prompting, which was slightly unsettling.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza hadn’t yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of our review, but the car used a more rigid version of its predecessor's chassis, aiming for similar high scores and a Top Safety Pick award. All models came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering. The Sport trim added Starlink communications features, while the RS trim included a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering.

In our tests, these safety features performed reliably, with adaptive cruise control maintaining smooth, consistent gaps between vehicles. The safety tech content and functionality were on par with other hatchbacks in the segment.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came with numerous standard safety features, but the full suite of advanced driving assistance systems was part of the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package. This package included enhanced Pre-Safe features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, lane-centering, and lane-change systems.

During extensive testing, the ADAS performed well, although lane-centering assist allowed a wider driving line than preferred on certain curves. The Automatic Lane Change function worked effectively but was less reassuring in fast-moving freeway traffic. The Active Speed Limit Assist and Route-based Speed Adaptation systems could be intrusive, such as abruptly braking in response to a missed construction zone sign. These technologies could be turned off for more intuitive driving. Overall, the ADAS proved practical and reliable for daily driving.