Compare 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Differences Between 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class

If you’re considering a Mercedes-Benz sedan, it’s important to know what’s available. The E-Class and the S-Class are the middle and high-tier offerings from Mercedes-Benz, and they both offer excellent features with a stunning performance. Read our guide below to better understand what you’ll find in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and what sets the S-Class a cut above other sedans on the market.

MSRP, Performance, and Specs

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sits right at the middle of the Mercedes sedan lineup, with a starting MSRP of $54,050. The E-Class is classified as either a full-size sedan or a large luxury car, which accounts for this car’s impeccably smooth handling. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is an even bigger vehicle, which allows this car to glide over the road with phenomenal ease. The S-Class is Mercedes’ flagship vehicle, which means that you’ll find only the most cutting-edge technology, best performance parts, and most comfortable interior options when compared to other Mercedes-Benz models. This car starts at $94,250 and maxes out at $151,600 on the AMG® S 63 Sedan, which features the very best in Mercedes technology without question. The E-Class is available with four Powertrain options and a 4MATIC® all-wheel drive. Its base engine is a 2.0L inline 4-turbo engine, which can put out 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This can be upgraded for a 3.0L V6 on the E 450, or an AMG®-enhanced 3.0L inline 6 turbo on the AMG® E 53 Sedan. On the AMG® E 63 S, you get the Handcrafted AMG® 4.0L V8 biturbo engine, which offers chart-topping, 603 horsepower, and 627 pound-feet in torque. The S-Class is available with four possible engines as well, one of which includes a plug-in hybrid variant, the S 560e. This vehicle is the ultimate car when it comes to luxury electric vehicles, capable of going from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, while simultaneously achieving a mind-boggling 58 miles per gallon in the city and 73 miles per gallon on the highway.

2020 Mercedes E-Class vs. S-Class Size Comparison

Both of these sedans have four doors and seat 5 people. Their exterior dimensions greatly influence how they handle, however. E-Class Mercedes is 196.4-inches long, with a 115.7-inch wheelbase. The S-Class is 206.9-inches long, making it one of the smoothest rides on the road among four-door sedans. The S-class has a wheelbase of 124.6 inches, to correspond with its greater overall size. Don’t expect to notice much in the way of passenger space differences among these cars, however— much of the S-Class sedan’s size is devoted to riding smoothness and the chassis is able to support more powerful engines. The E-class has more legroom in the front and rear seats for example. The S-Class does have the advantage in some areas, however, offering a very significant 2-inches more headroom in the front two seats, and cargo space that greatly surpasses that of the E-Class. You’ll get 13.1 cubic feet of cargo room in the E-Class, compared to a much more practical 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the S-Class.

Phenomenal Safety Scores

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick + for 2020, indicating that this vehicle scores very well in both crashworthiness and crash prevention. While the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has yet to be rated by prominent safety institutes such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the IIHS, it shares similar design philosophy and many of the same materials with the E-Class, as well as the A-Class, which is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick +. In addition, the S-Class offers the same stellar safety technology as the E-Class, with some additional improvements. Both of these cars can be upgraded with Driver Assist Packages, which feature active steering assist, lane keeps assist, and active distance assist. Both of these vehicles have active brake assist standards, as well as Car-to-X communication, which can alert your vehicle to hazards further up the road. The S-Class has improved LED headlamps that feature active curve illumination and adaptive high beam assist, which reduces glare for other drivers. While both of these vehicles are phenomenal safety choices, The S-Class has a slight edge in terms of total available safety features.

Which 2020 Sedan Should You Choose?

When choosing between the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, performance and available features are the biggest factors. You can get access to very high levels of power and acceleration in the E Class for a lower overall price, but if you’re looking to maximize speed and comfort, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the clear victor here. As the flagship Mercedes sedan, the S-Class is the only choice for those who want to be certain they’re getting the very best driving experience possible.

Your Mercedes Questions, Answered:

Is the New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Suitable for Families?

The S-Class is an excellent choice for families, considering the comfort features included with the vehicle, like dual-zone climate control. Its high volume cargo space also makes it especially functional for family use. The interior space is roughly comparable to the E-Class as well as the A-Class, so if you’re buying a sedan for family use, you won’t find that any of these cars have a significant edge over the other.

Can You Get the S-Class or the E-Class as Convertibles?

Absolutely. The S-Class Cabriolet starts at $138,600, and offers the same great features as the S-Class, with the addition of a premium fabric convertible top. The E-Class Cabriolet starts at $71,400 and is even available with an all-wheel drive option.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Mercedes S-Class?

The Mercedes S-Class is one of the most well-balanced sedans on the market currently. It’s been designed to strike a perfect balance between speed, comfort, and reliability. That balance does mean, however, that it won’t perform quite as well as the speed-first, comfort-second models that Mercedes offers. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG® GT is the fastest Mercedes available. With a starting MSRP of $115,900, it’s worth taking a look at whether a 2-seater could be a good choice for you as well.