The Mercedes E-class, an acronym for Executive Class, signifies elegance, luxury and innovation. The E-Class is considered the most successful product line of Mercedes-Benz in the midsize luxury category.
Mercedes E Class Generations in Detail
Let’s go through all the five Mercedes E Class generations in detail.
First Mercedes E Class Generation (1994 – 1995)
Model Series – W124
The term E-class first appeared in 1994 when the Mercedes-Benz W124 series got a facelift. The luxury carmaker was building the W124 Mercedes series since 1984, it continued using the older naming convention till 93.
In 1994, Mercedes-Benz worked on a facelift of the version and launched three E-class powertrain variants (E320, E420, E500) in the USA.
The E320 offered different body styles including four-door sedan and wagon body styles, as well as a two-door convertible and coupe body styles. On the other hand, the E420 and E500 both had an exclusive sedan body style.
All variants from the first Mercedes E class generation came standard with four-speed automatic transmissions and rear-wheel-drive.
Later in 1995, some modifications focusing on safety and aerodynamics were made. The E-class models of this generation were considered the fastest sedans of that era and were also considered among the safest sedans.
Standard safety features on all the first-generation E-class variants included steering wheel and side airbags, ABS braking and a seatbelt tensioning system. In the ’90s, all these features were way ahead of the market.
Second Mercedes E Class Generation (1996 – 2002)
Model Series – W210
The W210 E-Class product line got a complete redesign at the beginning of the second generation in 1996. The W210 E-Class was the one to bring the line to the upper end of the mid-size luxury market. The E-class made massive changes to the body in the second generation. The overall body of Mercedes-Benz E-class cars was larger and less boxy than the first generation.
Moreover, the overall exterior look was changed massively, owing to the split round headlamp design. The new headlamps had a unique visual personality and became an E-class aesthetic staple in the generations to come.
E300D and E320 were the initial variants offered in the second generation. Both had sedan body styles powered by a 217-hp 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine paired standard to a rear-wheel drive and a four-speed automatic transmission.
Important additions in technology included standard traction control, automatic climate control.
Then in 1997, a new addition made to the E-class was the E420 model sedan. The sedan came standard with a 4.2-litre V8 engine that made 275-hp paired with five-speed automatic transmission. Later, five-speed automatic transmission became standard on all the models for that year.
In 1998 new variants were introduced including a wagon and an all-wheel-drive option for the E320 and a turbo-diesel E300TD model (a replacement of the previous E300D) with a power output of 174-hp were introduced in the E-class lineup. This was also the year when Mercedes made a switch from inline-six engines to V6 engines.
After a year, in 1999 the E430 variant was introduced. This variant was powered by a 4.3 litre V8 engine that made 275-hp.
The year 2000 saw more technological advancements. E Class technology standard upgrades included touch-shift automatic transmissions, stability control, and TeleAid a cellular emergency service. Minor cosmetic changes were also made to the line and the E300TD variant was eliminated.
Finally, in 2001 a performance variant was introduced in the E-class. The AMG-tuned E55 came standard with a powerful 5.5L V8 engine that produced a 349-hp. This was the perfect car for sedan drivers seeking a thrill.
Third Mercedes E Class Generation (2003 – 2009)
Model Series: W211
In 2003, the E-Class got a redesign focusing on improving technology and performance features of the sedans. Only minor changes were made to the stylistic modifications.
The third Mercedes E Class generation’s lineup included the E320 sedan and wagon powered by a 3.2-litre V6 engine that churned out 221-hp, the E500 sedan powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine that made 302-hp, and the E55 AMG powered by a 5.5-litre V8 engine that generated 469-hp.
Five-speed transmissions and rear-wheel-drive were standard for all these models. But the E320 wagon also offered an all-wheel-drive option. Other features standard in all the models includes two-stage airbags, keyless entry, ventilation controls, an improved braking system and rain-sensing wipers.
Then in 2005, the luxury carmaker made the wagon body style available on all the models. This is the year when the E320 CDI (a diesel option) was reintroduced to the U.S. The E320 CDI came standard with a 3.2-litre V6 engine which carried a 201-hp.
In 2006, the E320 base model was promoted to the E350. It was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine which churned out 268-hp, a considerable increase from the previous version that made 221-hp.
Finally, in 2007, the Mercedes E Class generation lineup received a mid-life refresh. The generation saw a sleek cosmetic revival and engine changes. The E550 replaced E500 adding a total of 80-hp to the previous version. Moreover, the E55 AMG was replaced by the E63 AMG adding a total of 40-hp to the previous version.
Apart from engine changes, many optional features were made standard on the E-class, including dual-zone climate control, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a surround-sound audio system and a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory settings.
Fourth Mercedes E Class Generation (2010 – 2016)
Model Series: W212
The fourth-generation E-Class line received a major redesign. Apart from the standard sedan body style, in 2010 a coupe body style was introduced for the E350 and E550 trims, but not for the E63 trim.
The E-class lineup also received detailed styling updates. The circular quad headlights were replaced by more angular and aggressive ones. An important feature of this generation was cost-effectiveness. All the 2010 E-class models cost significantly less than their 2009 counterparts. This doesn’t mean any compromises were made to the features.
The fourth-generation E class models added important standard features to its lineup including auto-dimming mirrors, a seven-speed automatic transmission, COMAND electronic interface system, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker stereo.
Fast forward a year, and previous variants were seen returning in the lineup. In 2011, the wagon body style, a diesel engine option for the E350 and new convertible options made a comeback. Standard safety features for all models of 2011 include attention assist (to alert drowsy drivers) and PreSafe controls (crash anticipation controls).
In 2012, the e-class lineup experienced engine upgrades for more power and increased efficiency.
Then in 2013, an all-wheel-drive variant of the E350 and the E400 hybrid was added to the lineup.
In 2014, the E-Class updates were made to the front-end styling of the lineup – it was now sleeker than before. Moreover, the E350 (a diesel option) was rebranded as the E250 and all-wheel drive was made standard on the E63. That said, the most considerable update made to the 2014 models was Mercedes’ new safety package.
In this year, Front and rear collision-mitigation systems were made standard, and buyers had the option of an updated Driver Assistance package with adaptive cruise control and lane departure feature alongside Mercedes’ smartphone integration system.
Later on, in 2015, the E400 hybrid model received a new engine, enhancing the power output to 329-hp but the model was discontinued in 2016 along with the base E63 model.
Fifth Mercedes E Class Generation (2017-present)
Model Series: W213
In its fifth generation, Mercedes E-class models were redesigned for a good two years. The 4-door sedan and wagon styles models got a redesign in 2017. The 2-door coupe and convertible model styles received a redesign in 2018.
Four trim levels debuted in the fifth generation of Mercedes E class. These include the E300, E400 and E550, alongside performance variants including AMG E43 and AMG E63 S.
The E300 powered by a 2.0L 4-Cylinder engine churned out 241 hp. The E400 powered by a 3.0L V6 engine generated 329 hp. The AMG E43 powered by a 4.7L V8 engine generated 402 hp and the E550 and AMG E63 S powered by a 4.0L V8 engine produced 603 hp.
Standard models of the lineup came standard with rear-wheel-drive, whereas all AMG models of the E-class came standard with all-wheel-drive. The standard transmission changed from a seven-speed to a nine-speed automatic.
In this generation’s style update, the four-headlight look was eliminated and a more market-standard look was introduced.
The interior for Mercedes-Benz E-class cars of this generation was modified as well. The E-class models were designed similar to S-Class models. Furthermore, standard technical features include voice controls, PreSafe, Mbrace telematics, a navigation system, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Then the 2019 model year boosted the E400 trim to E450 with a new 3.0-L V6 engine that made 362-hp of power output. The E550 and AMG E43 were eliminated and the AMG E53, a mild-hybrid variant powered by a turbocharged 3.0L 6-Cylinder engine with a power output of 429-hp was introduced.
The model year 2020 saw the E300 being bumped to the E350, gaining 15-hp on a new engine. Moreover, emergency braking was also made standard as a safety feature for all the 2020 models of the E-class lineup.
That is all about Mercedes E class generation, its model years, features and variants.
If you are looking for an E-class luxury car for yourself, explore these used Mercedes-Benz E-class for sale in the UAE and select the one that best fits your preference.
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