Since our long-term 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 entered the fleet, it has offered regular proof of why this standout luxury sedan earned a place on our 10Best list for two straight years. Some of the appeal comes from our careful driving style, given that the car arrived showing only 20 miles and we followed the 1000-mile break-in rules. In any case, its composed ride and overall refinement have drawn steady praise from the outset. Colleagues throughout the office already rave about the E-class ride, polish, and supportive seating.

After reaching the 1000-mile threshold, we increased the tempo. The around-town ride feels nearly buoyant, yet the E450 stays planted and composed even when driven hard on winding roads. Its skidpad grip of 0.92 g ranks high in the segment, and stopping from 70 mph takes 157 feet, matching the figure from our most recent BMW M5 test.

The E450 inline-six, available only with all-wheel drive and priced $5900 above the four-cylinder E350, delivers smooth power and a pleasing sound while returning strong efficiency. We recorded an impressive 39 mpg during our 75-mph highway fuel-economy run, six mpg above the EPA highway estimate. Paired with the 17.4-gallon tank, that figure allows nearly 700 miles between fill-ups. Real-world efficiency stays excellent even without gentle driving; our current average of 27 mpg sits one mpg above the EPA combined rating. Given the 375-hp six that reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds, the fuel economy stands out as remarkable.

The steering-wheel touch controls draw consistent criticism even as the car's overall behavior earns admiration. Volume, cruise settings, and other functions rely on swipes along the spokes that often fail to respond, overshoot the desired change, or produce inconsistent results.

Our long-term E450 carries numerous options that raise the price from $73,650 to $95,375. Most of us could skip the front passenger screen and selfie camera in the $1500 Superscreen package along with the $990 three-dimensional gauge display. Yet the $3400 Pinnacle package with its 21-speaker Burmester audio and the $3200 air springs that enhance ride quality are items we would gladly pay for ourselves. Winter preparations include heated front armrests, steering wheel, rear seats, and washer nozzles. The only missing feature we regret is soft-close doors, an extra $550. We appreciate the Verde Silver Metallic paint and find the $1950 20-inch AMG wheels a clear visual improvement over the standard 18-inch rims.

The E-class avoids flashy displays yet still attracts attention, with bystanders in parking lots frequently complimenting the sedan. We share that view and look forward to extended time behind the wheel to see whether ownership proves equally satisfying.

Months in Fleet: 2 months Current Mileage: 5436 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 27 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 17.4 gal Observed Fuel Range: 460 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0

Specifications

Specifications

2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $73,650/$95,375
Options: Pinnacle trim (Burmester stereo, insulated glass, illuminated grille), $3400; Airmatic suspension (air springs, 4.5-degree rear steering), $3200; black nappa leather, $2990; Multicontour Seating package (massaging and ventilated front seats, heated front armrests), $2950; Driver Assistance package (lane-keep assist, active steering assist, adaptive cruise control), $1950; 20-inch AMG wheels, $1950; Superscreen package (includes front passenger display and selfie camera), $1500; Digital Light package, $990; 3-D gauge cluster, $990; heated rear seats, $500; Winter package (heated steering wheel and windshield washers), $450; Leather package (upper dash trim in nappa grain), $350; additional USB ports, $300; locking lug nuts, $170; first-aid kit, $35

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in³, 2999 cm³
Power: 375 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.6-in vented, cross-drilled disc/14.2-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
F: 245/40R-20 99Y ★ MO
R: 275/35R-20 102Y ★ MO

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.6 in
Length: 194.9 in
Width: 74.0 in
Height: 57.9 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 58/47 ft³
Trunk Volume: 13 ft³
Curb Weight: 4468 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS: NEW
60 mph: 4.5 sec
100 mph: 10.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.9 sec @ 109 mph
130 mph: 20.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5-60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top Gear, 30-50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Gear, 50-70 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 130 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100-0 mph: 317 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.92 g

Interior Sound
Idle: 37 dBA/2 sone
Full Throttle: 74 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 68 dBA/22 sone

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 27 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 39 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 670 mi
Unscheduled Oil Additions: 0 qt

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 26/23/33 mpg

WARRANTY
4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper
4 years/50,000 miles roadside assistance

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

Dave VanderWerp has spent more than 20 years in the automotive industry, in varied roles from engineering to product consulting, and now leading Car and Driver's vehicle-testing efforts. Dave got his very lucky start at C/D by happening to submit an unsolicited resume at just the right time to land a part-time road warrior job when he was a student at the University of Michigan, where he immediately became enthralled with the world of automotive journalism.