Mercedes E450 4matic AMG line review

Save for a blink-and-miss change on the bumpers with AMG-line bits, there isn’t much to differentiate the E450 from the other variants. It maintains the long wheelbase dimensions and the chauffeur package which opens up even more room for the rear passenger by folding down the front seat and reclining the seat back angle. Surprisingly, seat massage and ventilation get a miss on this variant too, for the front and rear passengers.

The Superscreen layout is easier to live with than the Hyperscreen due to the less severe viewing angle of the digital instrument cluster, but its also the same as the other variants so nothing new to report here. MBUX’s brilliant zero-layer design is spot on with oft-used functions like media, telephony, navigation and climate control always on top. These widgets can also be enlarged with a simple swipe, much like on a tablet.

Burmester provides a solid foundation for entertainment with the surround sound system and Mercedes allows for native access to your Apple Music account too, so even without your phone on you, the tunes will never stop. The 4D “actuators” in the seat still remain a gimmick and can be enjoyed for short bursts of time at best before it starts getting annoying. Their calibration is rather aggressive and even at the lowest setting, the butt-shaker effect is a bit too jarring, juxtaposed with the serene ride quality of the car itself.

With slight hesitation from the turbo during initial pick-up, the E450 4matic claws on to the surface for grip and hurtles towards the horizon. The 500Nm of torque definitely makes its presence felt and it pulls like a freight train, relentlessly but effortlessly hitting illegal speeds. The only downside is the aural drama you’d typically associate with mad speeds like this is totally missing and the “AMG” part is basically limited to the 18in wheels. Ride quality is phenomenal though and the adaptive (but not active) suspension continues to pamper you in the front or the back. Soaking up everything the road can throw at it, it’s literally the sedan version of a Range Rover when it comes to ride. Perhaps, even when it comes to body roll, which is also quite pronounced around fast corners or switchbacks, but that’s what happens when a reviewer gets the car to play with over the weekend. As an owner, I doubt if anyone buying an E-Class is keen on taking it to the track or even a blast up the hills at 5am.It doesn’t compromise on comfort and grip and that’s what makes it an overachiever in the current E-Class family.

For everything the E-Class can do, you can read the whole review here. This specific variant though, betters that in almost every way while charging you a little extra for an extra dollop of fun behind the wheel. It’s fast, accurate and supremely comfortable for long hours with enough tech to keep you entertained even when the powertrain is purring in city traffic. If only Mercedes had offered the option of a sports exhaust, this would’ve been every boy CEOs dream come true.