2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Defining Luxury at a New Price Point

Did you know that the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the most expensive model in its segment? It begins at $63,450 for the base model E350, going over $2,000 more than its counterpart, the BMW 5 Series.

The new W214-gen E-Class premiered last spring and is now finally on its way to US dealerships. Mercedes just made the prices public, both for the E350 and E450 sedans, and they're far from being budget-friendly. The entry-level E350 4Matic in its "Premium" trim has a $63,450 price tag. But for an extra fancy feeling, Mercedes has the E450 4Matic in the "Pinnacle" trim, which charges the bank account $71,800.

Here's a quick price rundown, including that pesky $1,150 destination fee:

• E350 4Matic Premium: $63,450
• E350 4Matic Pinnacle: $66,000
• E450 4Matic Premium: $69,250
• E450 4Matic Pinnacle: $71,800

Under the hood, the E350 runs on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the E450 impresses with a 3.0-liter inline-six, roaring 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes has been streamlining their trims lately, loading the base "Premium" with all the goodies most buyers crave.

The "Pinnacle" trim? It's got the kind of extras you'd call luxurious, but not exactly must-haves. Think light-up grille and "Active Ambient Lighting with Sound Visualization." And hey, all-wheel drive comes standard across all E-Class models now.

But let's talk competitors. The E-Class is on the pricier side. For comparison, the base Audi A6 Quattro is tagged at $58,395, while the BMW 530i xDrive asks for $61,195 (and the rear-drive 530i is even cheaper at $58,895). We don't have the full specs for the Merc yet, so it's tough to do a head-to-head, but it's likely that when kitted out similarly, the Audi and BMW might match or even exceed its price. And don't forget the Genesis G80, a real beauty starting at $55,560.

Now, interesting bit – the 2024 E-Class is actually more expensive than the 2023 model. The previous E350 4Matic started at $60,400, and the E450 4Matic at $66,700. But with all the tech packed into the new model, including a cool optional selfie camera (yes, really!), maybe that extra cost is worth it? After all, can you really put a price on snapping a selfie in your fancy new Mercedes?