The W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the fifth generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, sold from 2016 as a 2017 model. It succeeded the W212/S212 E-Class models. The coupe/convertible models share the same platform as the sedan/wagon, in contrast to the previous generation. The high-performance Mercedes-AMG E 63 and E 63 S versions of the W213 have been available as well from 2016 (as a 2017 model), and these are the only versions with V8 engines.

Since the mid-1990s, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been equipped with quad headlights and a differentiated design compared to the C-Class and S-Class. With the 2017 model, Mercedes decided to take a more streamlined direction, first seen with the 2014 E-Class mid-generational refresh and then going in an entirely new direction with the all-new 2017 model.

Launched in spring 2016 following a world debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in January, the 2017 E-Class was the most technologically advanced car Mercedes had ever produced at the time. This generation of the Mercedes E-Class has won many plaudits from automotive publications, including the 2021 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the first time Mercedes-Benz has ever won this award.

Development and launch The whole development process stretched over 48 months. In that time, Mercedes-Benz produced 1,200 prototypes and drove a combined 12 million kilometres in some of the world's toughest conditions, from sub-zero temperatures in the snow through to the world's hottest deserts. In testing the car, Mercedes-Benz also had its prototypes conduct over 10,000 autonomous braking procedures and 5,000 automated lane changes as part of the Distronic suite of semi-autonomous driving features. Moreover, it took 1,200 engineers to make the fifth-generation E-Class.

The W213 E-Class was unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. The 2017 E-Class has a design similar to that of the larger W222 S-Class and the smaller W205 C-Class. While its predecessor had a tighter surface and harder edges, the 2017 model is curvier and more flowing. An official design sketch was released in late December 2015, which confirmed that the new E-Class mirrors the styling of the C-Class and S-Class. Official photos of the 2017 E-Class were leaked on the internet on 4 January 2016 ahead of its unveiling.

The W213 was first released in the saloon configuration, which went on sale in the summer of 2016. The Estate, offering a similar 695-litre luggage capacity to its predecessor, went to sale towards the end of 2016. A two-door Coupe arrived in 2017, before the Convertible completes the line-up towards the end of 2017. The W213 E-Class was deemed one of Car and Driver's "10 Best vehicles" in 2019.

Design

Stylistically, the 2017 E-Class followed the latest C-Class, the GLA, and the S-Class coupé. Its front end features Mercedes’ familiar bullet-shaped headlights and an upright grille, while its rear end gets a pair of LED taillights, with similarities to the 2014 E-Class models, that extend into the quarter panels. As on other recent models, the 2017 E-Class features two distinct front-end treatments: a traditional chrome grille and a more sporting blade grille. The aerodynamic efficiency have been refined as the drag coefficient improved from 0.25 in the previous model to a class-leading 0.23.

W212 facelift comparison

The W213 adopts Mercedes’ modular MRA platform, as used by the contemporary C-Class and S-Class models. The W213 E-Class grew 43 mm in length to . Wheelbase was also extended 65 mm to , resulting in shorter overhangs. It is 2 mm narrower and 6 mm lower than its predecessor. The increased use of high-strength steel and aluminium is claimed to make the car up to 100 kg lighter than the W212 E-Class.

The W213 E-Class is based on the F800 Style design language, previously used on the larger W222 S-Class (2013) and the smaller W205 C-Class (2014). However, the facelifted W212 (2013) also incorporates several design cues from the F800 Style, thus the two vehicles share several design traits.

The W213 E-Class' front bumper is reminiscent of the facelifted W212's optional sport kit (dubbed the AMG Sports Package), as it is governed by two air intakes united by a mesh grille. Compared to the standard front bumper of the W212, which is similar to the one used on the W205 C-Class, the W213 E-Class' proposal is more aggressive, composed and simple. The classic iconic grille, has simpler, flowing lines, with a more imposing presence on W213, while the sport variant (with the big logo in the middle) isn't so different from the W212. The S-Class inspired, sweptback (first time in Mercedes executive-class history) and rather compact headlights are the styling feature of the W213 model.

On both cars the doors sit pretty high, squeezing the windows, but the W212 masks this "trait" with a subtle slope towards the headlights. In fact, on the profile of the facelifted W212, it still retains the edgy lines that came out in 2009. At the back, the W213 adopted a fresh design for the lights similar to the S-Class. However, the tailpipes finishers are similar to the ones found on the W212, with the rear bumper keeping its overall shape.

Interior

The interior of the 2017 E-Class was unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in December 2015, which was previewed on the Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) that Mercedes showed in September 2015 at the Frankfurt Auto show. The interior mounts two 12.3-inch full HD screens housed within a single unit. Most E-Class models receive the widescreen set-up as standard. However, base Avantgarde versions features traditional analogue dials with a seven-inch multi-information display, along with an 8.4-inch central infotainment screen. Mercedes-Benz claimed a first for the automotive industry, adding a pair of touch-sensitive control buttons on the steering wheel, which respond to finger swipes to control the car's infotainment system. The more traditional Mercedes-Benz COMAND controller is also retained on the centre console.

Equipment Autonomous driving A number of sensors, cameras and radars has allowed semi-automated driving. There may be fewer sensors than before (12 and four respectively over the W212 model), but they all feature increased functionality which reduces cost and complexity.

The next level of Drive Pilot (code-named Intelligent Drive) featured on the 2017 E-Class enables the car to negotiate bends on the motorway, while maintaining a safe distance from slower moving vehicles in front at up to speeds of . The system is not a hands-free operation and an audible alert will prompt the driver into regaining control if the car detects their attention has wandered.

The Steering Pilot function uses visible road markings to navigate bends at speeds of up to . The car is able to scan the surrounding area, as well as the car in front, if road markings are unclear to maintain lane discipline. The system is also able to automatically increase or decrease the E-Class's speed by reading speed limit signs if the driver fails to take any action.

Safety innovations Active Brake Assist and Evasive Steering Assist work in tandem to warn of and prevent potential collisions in the 2017 E-Class. The first system now features increased functionality, able to provide visible warning of potential danger as well as being able to automatically apply the brakes in an emergency. The system is now also able to detect and analyze moving traffic at junctions ahead. Evasive Steering Assist can detect when a driver is making an evasive action and apply additional steering force to ensure the pedestrian or vehicle is avoided. Car-to-X Communication is another safety system which enables vehicles on the same road to warn each other of upcoming potential hazards or accidents.

If an unavoidable side collision is detected, PRE-SAFE Impulse Side rapidly inflates the side bolster to move the occupant away from the point of impact, while at the same time PRE-SAFE Sound pumps noise waves through the speakers to reduce hearing damage following a collision.

Adaptive LED matrix lighting

Introduced on the CLS for 2014, Mercedes’ Multibeam LED headlamps are enhanced for the 2017 E-class. The individual LED count increases from 24 to 84, each individually controllable—switching between high- and low-beams, and the curve-following adaptive-lighting functions are now achieved entirely via electronics. The light pattern is also altered in city driving or via information from the navigation system.

As with the mid-cycle refresh of W212, the 2017 E-Class features two larger units instead of the four-eyes headlights, though LED light bars within the headlamps still gives the night-time effect of four individual units.

Drift mode Introduced in the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+, drift mode allows the car to completely cut the front axle from its all-wheel-drive 4MATIC system and transfer all of the power to the rear axle of the car. This allows the driver to engage in easier drifts.

Variants

Coupé and Cabriolet The Coupé (C238) was first unveiled by Mercedes at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, while the Cabriolet (A238) was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, both to be released for the 2018 model year. Both models replaced the previous C207/A207 E-Class models. Like the E-Class coupé it replaced, the C238 coupé features a pillarless design with no B pillar between the front and rear side windows, though there is a small pillar between the main rear windows and the fixed quarter glass windows behind them.

The Coupé and Cabriolet were both initially offered in 2018 only as an E 400 model with the M276 3.0L Biturbo V6 engine producing and of torque.

Select markets also offered the E 200 model with an M274 engine 2.0L turbo I4 engine producing , and the E 300 model with an M274 2.0L turbo I4 engine producing .

For 2019 onwards, the E 400 model was replaced by the E 450 model, featuring the same M276 3.0-litre Biturbo V6 engine, but now producing and .

For the 2021 facelift, the E 450's M276 Biturbo V6 was dropped for the new M256 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost. Power outputs are unchanged at and . The E 200 and E 300 were similarly updated in 2021, from the M274 turbo inline-four to the M264 2.0L turbo I4 engine with EQ Boost, producing and in the E 200, and and in the E 300.

The only AMG variant of the C238/A238 E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet is the E 53 AMG 4MATIC+ produced from 2019 onwards, powered by the M256 3.0L inline 6 turbo with EQ Boost engine, producing and .

Estate and All-Terrain

In a departure from previous generations, the Estate is offered in two distinct variants: a traditional on-road model and an All-Terrain version to directly rival the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country.

Unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the Estate All-Terrain features a 29 mm higher ride height due to the Air Body Control air suspension (15 mm) and 20 in wheels fitted as standard (14 mm). There is also external plastic cladding to protect the body from scratches and scrapes, as well as the 4Matic permanent four-wheel-drive system with 31/69 front-rear torque split.

E 300 (2016–2023) An E 300, with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, joined the range. This engine was previously available in the facelift W212 E-class in some markets. This engine produces in the E 200, in the E 250 and in the E 300. Like the W212 facelift, the W213 E 300 produces and and accelerates from in 6.2 seconds.

E 350 (2019–2023)