Discover the key differences in style, performance, exterior size, and interior space in our detailed comparison of Mercedes C-Class vs E-Class luxury sedans.
When it comes to luxury sedans, the Mercedes C-Class vs E-Class debate is eternal. Both vehicles are celebrated year after year for their exquisite craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and impeccable performance. But what makes them different, and how can you choose the right one for your preferences? Read on to learn about the style, performance capabilities, size, and interior space of C-Class and E-Class Mercedes so you can make an informed decision.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are known to be sophisticated and timeless — the perfect blend of sportiness and luxury. The C-Class and E-Class are no different. Though there are some stylistic differences between the two, their key features are the same.
Walking up to them, it’s immediately apparent that their sleek, flowing body lines convey a sense of speed and confidence but don’t scream for attention, either. During the day, you’ll notice light bouncing off the chrome or gloss black accents that adorn their window frames, grilles, and side skirts. At night, neon-reminiscent LED accents highlight the elegant shapes of their headlights and tail lights.
Getting in, you’ll find sporty seats expertly upholstered in synthetic or real leather and an elegant dashboard with wood or carbon fiber accents, depending on the styling package. In recent years, the dashboard has been home to a digital instrument cluster that displays crucial details like speed, fuel level, and advanced driving assist features. In fifth-generation vehicles, a massive touchscreen display takes up the center of the dash of both E and C classes, which can be used to monitor onboard cameras, select music for your drive, and much more. What’s not to love?
Winner: Both! Aesthetics are subjective, so it would be unfair of us to determine a winner in this category.
How well a vehicle performs depends on innumerable variables, but the three biggest contributors are typically its engine, transmission, and suspension. Historically, the E-Class has offered better performance, with the C-Class only slightly behind it. Still, let’s get a better idea of how they stack up by diving into the specs. For this class comparison, we’ll be looking specifically at the 2024 model years of each class.
Both the rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of the 2024 C-Class are powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0L hybrid engine. But don’t let the engine’s small size scare you away — it boasts a solid 255 horsepower (HP) at 5,800 RPM and an aggressive 295 lb-ft of torque at 2,000–3,200 RPM. With power like that, both versions of the C-Class attain a 0–60 MPH time of 6 seconds.
Fortunately, that power doesn’t come at the cost of fuel economy due to the hybrid portion of the engine. The RWD C-Class can get 26–36 MPG, and the AWD C-Class can reach 23–33 MPG, depending on whether they’re driven in the city or on the highway.
The 2024 E-Class comes in two versions. The first version is dubbed the E 350 and comes with the same four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0L hybrid engine as the C-Class. This version has the same HP and torque ratings as the C-Class but has an ever so slightly slower 0–60 MPH time of 6.1 seconds. The second version is the E 450, which comes with a turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder hybrid engine.
If you’re looking for pure performance, the E 450 is where you can find it. It produces an exhilarating 375 HP at 5,500–6100 RPM and a neck-snapping 369 lb-ft of torque at 1,600–4,500 RPM, resulting in a blistering 0–60 MPH speed of 4.4 seconds. While you do lose a little fuel efficiency from all that power, the turbocharged, hybrid nature of the engine can still offer an extremely reasonable 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
Winner: E-Class, but only if you get the larger E 450 engine. Otherwise, the C-Class’ lighter weight gives it a .1 second faster 0-60 MPH time.
All 2024 C-Class and E-Class models come with the same type of transmission — the 9G-TRONIC 9-speed. The difference between them comes down to drive configurations. Here are the key points:
Either drive configuration can be a fantastic option. Nine gears mean smooth, efficient shifting no matter what, and both RWD and AWD are solid options. If you’re looking for the absolute best performance when it comes to handling, though, the 4MATIC® AWD is the way to go for both classes of Mercedes Benz.
Winner: E-Class, since both variants come with the 4MATIC® AWD transmission.
No matter which variant you choose, 2024 Mercedes C-Class and E-Class vehicles offer incredible driving experiences due to their phenomenal suspensions, but there are some differences between the two:
Winner: E Class, since it features selective damping, which provides the smoothest ride possible.
We’re all for looks and performance, but what about the more practical aspects, like exterior size and interior space? After all, what’s the point of style and power if you can’t maneuver it or share it with your friends?
From the outside, C-Classes and E-Classes are fairly normal-sized sedans, though the E-Class has historically been a bit larger than the C-Class. For example, the 2024 E Class measures 194.9 inches long and 81.3 inches wide (mirrors included), whereas the 2024 C-Class is only 187 inches long and 80 inches wide.
The story is similar on the inside, too, as both models feature two front seats and a bench-styled rear seat — offering plenty of room for you and four others. Still, there’s a slight difference in interior space, with the 2024 E-Class models offering 12.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the 2024 C-Class models only provide 12.6 cubic feet.
Ultimately, you’re unlikely to notice the size differences between the C and E-Classes, unless you examine them carefully side by side. In real-world applications, both are reasonably sized and offer plenty of passenger and cargo space for most consumers.
Winner: Both are winners, but if we had to choose, we’d pick the C-Class for its smaller exterior size and nearly identical cargo space.
| Model | Aesthetics | Performance | Size |
| C-Class | ✔ | 𐄂 | ✔ |
| E-Class | ✔ | ✔ (E 450 version) | 𐄂 |
As you can tell from the table above, it’s challenging to define a clear winner between two refined, sporty, luxurious vehicles — especially when you can’t go wrong with either. Ultimately, if you value performance and budget isn’t a priority, the E 450 version of the E-Class is probably right for you. If budget is a concern, you prefer smaller vehicles, and you don’t mind making a few compromises in terms of performance, the C-Class could be the right choice.
Struggling to choose between the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class? The experts at Ed Hicks Imports can help you make a decision. Whether you’re in Corpus Christi, Robstown, Ingleside, or surrounding areas, visit us for a test drive and find your perfect match today.
