Discover the key differences between the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class luxury sedans. Compare price, features, tech, and performance at Ed Hicks Imports.
Choosing between the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class is more than just comparing sedans—it’s about selecting the kind of luxury that fits your lifestyle. Both models represent the very best of Mercedes-Benz design, technology, and comfort, but they deliver those experiences in distinctly different ways.
Whether you’re looking for an elevated daily driver or the ultimate flagship sedan, this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs. S-Class highlights the key differences in performance, features, prestige, and price to help you decide.
First, let’s discuss what’s under the hood. Comparing the 2025 model year E-Class’s performance to that of the S-Class, it’s clear both sedans are engineered for power and precision.
The E-Class delivers a dynamic feel with efficient turbocharged engines, including a 255-horsepower inline-4 in the E 350 and a 375-horsepower inline-6 in the E 450. Both engines use a 48-volt mild hybrid system for extra torque and smoother driving.
Step up to the S-Class, and you’ll find even more potent powertrains. The S 500 produces 442 horsepower, while the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8 delivers 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking greener luxury, the S 580e plug-in hybrid offers an impressive 503 combined horsepower and up to 47 miles of all-electric range.
Both sedans come with a 9-speed automatic transmission and available drive modes via DYNAMIC SELECT. The E-Class feels more agile and lightweight—great for spirited drives. The S-Class, on the other hand, moves with serene confidence, delivering effortless acceleration and silky ride quality even with a full cabin.
Inside, both the E-Class and S-Class showcase Mercedes-Benz innovation. The redesigned 2025 E-Class debuts new technology like the available MBUX Superscreen, which stretches across the dashboard with a central touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, and front passenger display.
The S-Class remains a tech flagship, offering a massive 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen, 3D instrument cluster, and cutting-edge options like augmented reality navigation and Active Drive Pilot (a semi-autonomous system in select markets). Rear passengers can enjoy available wireless tablets and entertainment packages.
Both sedans include a voice assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The S-Class offers more immersive options, such as Burmester® 4D surround sound, active ambient lighting, and advanced safety and driver-assist features.
Slide into either cabin, and you’ll immediately feel the craftsmanship that defines Mercedes-Benz. The E-Class interior delivers contemporary luxury with MB-Tex upholstery standard and available leather, refined wood or aluminum trims, and customizable 64-color LED ambient lighting.
The S-Class interior takes opulence to new heights. Standard Nappa leather seating, rich materials, and fine detailing are everywhere you look—from quilted stitching to illuminated seat belt buckles. Rear passengers enjoy limousine-like legroom, reclining and ventilated seats, and optional pillow-style headrests.
With an overall length of 208.2 inches, the S-Class offers a commanding presence and spaciousness you won’t find in the midsize E-Class, which measures 194.3 inches. Rear legroom in the S-Class is a luxurious 43.8 inches, compared to about 36 inches in the E-Class—plenty for adults, but not quite the same level of stretch-out comfort you’d find in the S-Class.
The E-Class offers a balance of agility and composure, making it ideal for drivers who appreciate a more engaging connection to the road. It features a multilink suspension with adaptive damping and available AIRMATIC® air suspension for a smoother, more refined ride.
The S-Class comes standard with AIRMATIC® and can be upgraded to E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL, an advanced system that scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension in real time. Rear-axle steering is available on both sedans, helping the E-Class feel sportier and allowing the S-Class to maneuver like a smaller sports-minded car.
For drivers who want to carve through back roads, the E-Class feels lighter and more responsive. But if you prefer gliding in total comfort, the S-Class offers a peerless, cloud-like ride.
Mercedes-Benz is known for its attention to detail, and both sedans offer upscale touches like panoramic sunroofs, heated front seats, and optional massage functions. However, the S-Class includes more of these as standard.
In the S-Class, you’ll find soft-close doors, powered rear sunshades, active multicontour front seats, and a Burmester® 3D or 4D sound system. The E-Class can be equipped with similar features, but many are available exclusively through upper-tier packages.
Ambient lighting sets the mood in both models, but the S-Class enhances the experience with animated lighting that responds to your driving or music.
Both sedans carry the iconic Mercedes-Benz badge, but the S-Class represents the brand’s ultimate expression of opulence. Often chosen by executives, celebrities, and dignitaries, it is a statement of success and sophistication.
The E-Class is more understated—an “executive class” sedan that’s ideal for those who want performance, comfort, and style without going over the top. Its updated styling mirrors the S-Class, making it a compelling choice for drivers who want that same aura in a more approachable package.
Think of the E-Class as a perfectly tailored business suit, while the S-Class is a bespoke tuxedo. Both convey prestige, just in different ways.
The final major difference between the E-Class and vs. S-Class? Price. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan starts at around $62,000 MSRP for the E 350 and climbs to about $70,000 for the E 450 4MATIC. It’s the more accessible entry into Mercedes luxury, perfect for those who want executive-class style without the flagship price.
On the other hand, the 2025 S-Class starts at approximately $117,000 MSRP for the S 500 4MATIC, and the more powerful S 580 4MATIC and plug-in hybrid S 580e top out closer to $128,000. This reflects the S-Class’s position as the pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz sedan lineup.
When it comes to trim options, the E-Class offers two main trims, with available 4MATIC all-wheel drive and an AMG performance version. The S-Class goes even further, offering standard 4MATIC and ultra-refined engines, with options like the electrified S 580e or the exclusive Maybach and AMG variants.
Whether you prefer the balanced luxury of the E-Class or the unmatched refinement of the S-Class, you can find both at Ed Hicks Imports in Corpus Christi.
Come visit us to explore each model firsthand. Feel the soft-close doors, experience the Burmester sound, enjoy the ambient lighting, and take a test drive that brings every luxurious detail to life.Your next great drive starts here. Browse our current inventory online and stop by for a test drive today, or start your custom order to design the Mercedes-Benz that’s all you.
