We spent a week and 600 miles in a 2024 Mercedes‑Benz E450 4MATIC sedan optioned with the Superscreen and AIRMATIC. Here’s how its interior quality, technology, and comfort stack up in real-world use.
Our test car was the E450 4MATIC (375 hp, 369 lb‑ft) with a 9‑speed automatic, riding on AIRMATIC air suspension and 20‑inch wheels. Key cabin options included the MBUX Superscreen (12.3‑inch cluster, 14.4‑inch center, optional 12.3‑inch passenger display), Burmester 4D audio, four‑zone climate, and multicontour front seats with heat, ventilation, and massage. As tested, it landed just over $82,000. Testing covered downtown potholes, a 200‑mile interstate run, and suburban errands with four adults aboard.
We logged observations during early‑morning commutes (cooler temps, light traffic) and evening city loops (stop‑and‑go, rougher surfaces) to evaluate NVH, seat fatigue, and tech usability under varied conditions. Interior quality is classic Mercedes: tight panel fit, consistent grain alignment, and zero rattles over broken pavement. The open‑pore wood and real metal switchgear feel expensive, and the dash’s glassy expanse integrates cleanly with the ambient “light bar.” Front storage is generous, and the door bins take large bottles; rear passengers get their own cubbies and vents. Space is ample for adults front and back, and the trunk swallowed two 24‑inch suitcases plus duffels with room to spare.
The tech suite is deep without being overwhelming once set up. Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connected reliably, and the fingerprint reader made profile switching seamless. The nav’s augmented‑reality arrows are genuinely helpful in dense urban grids, and the “Hey Mercedes” assistant handled natural requests (“set temperature to 70,” “find coffee nearby”) with few misses. The passenger display’s privacy filter minimizes driver distraction, though screen glare in low sun highlights fingerprints—keep a cloth handy.
Comfort is a standout. In Comfort mode, AIRMATIC rounds off sharp edges, and our sound meter showed 67 dBA at 70 mph on smooth asphalt; coarse concrete adds a couple dB, likely due to the 20‑inch run‑flat tires. The multicontour seats are road‑trip good: broad adjustment, effective ventilation, and massages that run long enough to matter (the “hot stone” program is best). The Burmester 4D system delivers clean staging and subtle seat transducers—fun without gimmickry—and the active ambient lighting’s “sound visualization” is tasteful in low settings.
The cooled wireless charge pad prevented phone throttling during navigation, and there are four USB‑C ports (two front, two rear) plus a 12V outlet. Driver assistance is polished. Adaptive cruise with lane centering tracked true through gentle bends and handled stop‑and‑go smoothly; the driver monitoring is less fussy than capacitive‑rim systems. Haptic climate shortcuts and a physical volume roller mitigate screen dependence, though the touch‑sensitive steering‑wheel pads remain too easy to brush accidentally.
MBUX stayed responsive, but heavy multitasking (streaming, nav, calls) can add a beat of lag. Overall, the E450’s cabin nails the premium brief: rich materials, sophisticated tech that adds real utility, and long‑haul comfort that rivals pricier flagships. If you prioritize ride quiet and cush, skip the 20s for smaller wheels and conventional tires. The E350 suits light commuters, but frequent travelers and tech enthusiasts will appreciate the E450’s effortless power, AIRMATIC, and Burmester upgrade.
It feels built to make every mile calmer—and more connected.
