2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was a nod to the era when elegant sedans were the epitome of luxury. With its 5,289-millimetre length, the S-Class maintained a commanding presence on the road, offering a sleek and traditional luxury form. The seventh-generation model, introduced in 2021, retained its classic character with a more aerodynamic design, featuring smoother body lines, a larger grille, and retractable door handles. The long hood and wheelbase suggested a spacious interior, especially in the North American market where only the long-wheelbase version was available. Inside, the S-Class boasted a horizontal dashboard layout, though the digital displays seemed awkwardly integrated. The cabin was adorned with premium materials, including supple leather and various trim options, showcasing Mercedes' renowned construction quality.

In contrast, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, particularly the AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon, offered a blend of performance and practicality. The E 53 Hybrid, priced at $113,895, featured a height-adjustable air suspension and was engineered for rapid road driving. The test vehicle, equipped with the Pinnacle Trim package and AMG Dynamic Plus package, showcased a striking design with 21-inch forged alloy wheels. The interior, featuring genuine Nappa leather and natural grain wood trim, exuded luxury, though some metallic surfaces could become uncomfortably hot. The E-Class wagon's design was a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous SUVs, offering a unique and stylish alternative. However, the interior space felt snug, and the low stance posed challenges for taller passengers. Despite these drawbacks, the E-Class wagon's mix of materials and details reflected a high level of quality.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered four models, each distinguished by its powertrain. The entry-level S 500 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, producing 442 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, with an acceleration time of 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The S 580 upgraded to a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivering 496 hp and 516 lb-ft, achieving 100 km/h in about 4.4 seconds. All models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic AWD, with mild-hybrid systems in the S 500 and S 580 for efficiency. The AMG S 63 E Performance topped the lineup with a plug-in hybrid system, combining a twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor for a total of 791 hp and 1,055 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. The S-Class's suspension prioritized comfort, offering a smooth ride and impressive maneuverability, thanks to rear axle steering.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically the AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, a 120-kilowatt electric motor, and a 21.2-kilowatt-hour battery. The system produced 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. The E 53 wagon offered a 66-kilometre electric range and a combined fuel consumption rating of 10.5 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The AMG-enhanced hardware included a nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic AWD, and adaptive damping AMG Ride Control suspension. The test vehicle's AMG Dynamic Plus Package added features like dynamic engine mounts and a high-performance braking system, though the brakes were inconsistent. Despite its weight, the E-Class wagon delivered exceptional performance, with firm suspension and outstanding grip, though road noise was noticeable.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured spacious and comfortable front seats, resembling classic wingbacks, with standard heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Storage space was adequate, with moderately sized cupholders and door pockets. The rear seats were equally accommodating, with optional features like heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The cargo capacity was 535 litres, slightly below average for the class, but a centre pass-through door and flip-down hook added practicality.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon offered practicality with up to 460 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,675 litres with the seats folded. The wagon's lower roofline could be a liability for loading cargo, and interior storage space was limited. The standard heated front seats were comfortable, and the optional Multicontour Seating Package added features like rapid-heating, ventilation, and massagers. However, the E-Class wagon felt snug compared to the GLE SUV, with limited rear-seat legroom and challenging entry and exit due to its low stance.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Burmester surround-sound system. The Pinnacle Trim package added rear-seat amenities, including an infotainment-system tablet and rear wireless charging pad. The infotainment system offered crisp graphics and quick responses, though the capacitive touch controls were frustrating. The voice-control technology was highly accurate, though dependent on an internet connection.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Burmester 4D surround-sound system. The MBUX Superscreen option added a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the passenger, though it collected fingerprints and dust. The MBUX system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the voice assistant struggled with specific requests. The touch-sensing steering wheel controls were functional but lacked the precision of traditional knobs and buttons.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class included advanced safety features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a semi-automated parking system. These systems functioned flawlessly, with smooth transitions and reliable performance. However, crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered standard safety features like high beam assist, forward collision warning, and a surround-view camera system. In Canada, additional features like adaptive cruise control and active lane change assist were standard. The Pre-Safe technology prepared the vehicle for collisions, and the SOS emergency call service provided additional safety. The systems operated transparently, with refined distance management and smooth braking, though the route-based speed adaptation feature was disliked.