The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a big, plush executive car from the German manufacturer, and forms part of the fifth generation of the model - known by Benz-buffs as the W213 - which was offered for sale between 2016 and 2023. There was an abundance of choice with the E-Class: it was offered in saloon, estate, coupe and convertible body styles, with a dizzying array of engines and trim levels to choose from, not to mention a vast list of optional extras. If you’re not absolutely sold on having a three-pointed star on the nose of your next car, then alternatives include the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.

Strengths:

Lots of choice
Impressively practical, especially in estate form
Comfortable ride and plush interior

Weaknesses:

Mainstream rivals cost considerably less
Prestige rivals are sharper to drive
Painfully high running costs if you choose an AMG version

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class better than the 2018 BMW 5 Series?

For this generation of E-Class, Mercedes focused solely (with the exception of the high-performance AMG models, of course) on making their executive-car offering the most comfortable and cosseting car in the class, and was extremely successful in that endeavour. So, if you want comfort and refinement - especially on long motorway trips - above all else, then there’s much to recommend the big Merc. If you value driving fun more, however, then the BMW will suit you better.