We spent a week in a 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC, focusing on cabin quality, technology, and everyday comfort over 600 miles of mixed commuting and highway travel. Our test car featured the Superscreen setup, Airmatic air suspension, multicontour front seats, and the Burmester audio upgrade—options that shape the E-Class’s premium experience.
The E350 pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 48V mild-hybrid system (255 hp, 295 lb-ft) and a 9-speed automatic. While power matters less here, the drivetrain’s smoothness sets the tone for a quiet interior. Our car rode on 19-inch wheels with touring tires, and we sampled it across pockmarked city streets, fresh highway asphalt, and coarse aggregate surfaces, including two four-hour stints to evaluate fatigue and noise. Fit and finish meet the nameplate’s reputation.
Panel gaps are tight, switchgear feels dense, and the doors close with a reassuring thud. Open-pore wood and real metal trims look and feel authentic, and there were no squeaks over rough patches. The touch-capacitive steering-wheel controls are accurate with deliberate inputs, though they can register accidental swipes; rotary climate vents and physical seat controls are intuitive. Ambient lighting is tasteful by day and dramatic at night, without reflecting distractingly in the windshield.
Technology is anchored by the optional Superscreen: a 12.3-inch driver display, 14.4-inch central touchscreen, and an available passenger display behind a single glass pane. MBUX remains one of the quicker systems we’ve used—voice prompts (“Hey Mercedes”) reliably changed temperature and navigation destinations, and the augmented-reality arrows for guidance reduced missed turns in dense downtown traffic. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connected consistently during our test, and the fingerprint reader made profile switching seamless. Screen glare is manageable with the matte finish, but the passenger screen can reflect bright sun at certain angles.
Comfort is excellent with the multicontour seats. They offer extensive adjustment, including four-way lumbar, adjustable bolsters, and a manual thigh extension. Ventilation is quiet on low and medium, and the massage programs (including a gentle hot-stone-style routine) kept fatigue at bay on our longest drive. Rear accommodations are adult-friendly with improved knee room; headroom is adequate even with the panoramic roof, though the center tunnel limits middle-seat comfort.
The optional four-zone climate maintained stable temps, and the Air Balance system adds a subtle fragrance without overwhelming the cabin. Ride and noise isolation are standout strengths with Airmatic. The suspension rounds off sharp edges while keeping body motions in check; in Comfort mode it glides over expansion joints, while Sport firms up without harshness. We measured 67 dBA at an indicated 70 mph on smooth asphalt, rising to 69–70 dBA on coarse concrete—competitive for the class.
The Burmester system delivers clean, spacious sound with convincing bass at moderate volumes; road noise doesn’t swamp audio on the highway. Storage is thoughtful: a rubberized wireless phone tray prevents sliding, cupholders grip bottles, and felt-lined bins avoid rattles. Overall, the E-Class’s cabin delivers the premium brief: authentic materials, sophisticated tech that mostly stays out of the way, and real long-distance comfort. We’d spec Airmatic, the multicontour seats, and Burmester; the passenger display is nice-to-have rather than essential, and those who dislike touch controls may want a long test drive with the steering-wheel interfaces.
Against the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, the Mercedes leans most toward serenity and theater—without sacrificing usability.
