A few days before a special family milestone, the 2025 Mercedes Benz E 450 joined our long term fleet. The timing could not have been better. With my mother in law’s seventy fifth birthday on the calendar and relatives flying in, the E 450 immediately stepped into a dual role as luxury limousine and dependable family hauler. After the first 3,000 km of mixed urban runs, airport pickups, and celebratory drives, here is a detailed first report that focuses on space, ride comfort, practicality, and real world performance, along with a few small compromises you should know about.
Design and Presence: The Long Wheelbase Advantage
Even before you open a door, the stretched wheelbase sets the tone. The E 450 looks every bit the executive sedan, and our car’s blue exterior draws appreciative glances in daylight and under soft evening light. The proportions are balanced, and the longer rear door signals what the E Class is known for in this market, rear seat indulgence. As a birthday chauffeur, the car made the right first impression at the venue and at the airport arrivals lane.
Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Mercedes Benz E 450, India spec |
| Test Duration | First 3,000 km, predominantly city and airport runs |
| Powertrain | 3.0L inline six turbo petrol with mild hybrid assist |
| Output | 381 hp, 500 Nm, integrated boost up to 23 hp |
| 0 to 100 kph | Claimed 4.5 seconds in ideal conditions |
| What Stands Out | Lounge like rear seats, stretched wheelbase room, polished ride on steel springs, elegant cabin ambience |
| Practical Notes | 510 liter boot is good for regular bags, struggles with three full size check in suitcases |
| Comfort Caveat | Fifth seat is essentially an armrest, best for short trips |
| Official Site | https://www.mercedes-benz.co.in |
Rear Seat Experience: Why Passengers Love It
The E Class has long been judged by the comfort of its back seats, and the E 450 keeps that tradition intact. The rear seats are generous, reclinable, and shaped to support the lower back and thighs during extended drives. Legroom is abundant, and headroom is more than adequate even for taller passengers. On this version, four adult occupants can truly stretch out, which is exactly what my mother in law commented on during the celebratory lunch run. She loved the easy ingress, the settled ride, and the calm atmosphere in the second row.
A key detail for family outings is adjustability. The backrest angle and seat base support help passengers find a relaxed posture quickly. The seat cushioning is neither too soft nor too firm, which matters when the itinerary includes multiple stops and slow traffic. If most of your usage involves two in the back, the E 450 feels like a junior limousine done right.
Ambient Lighting and Cabin Ambience: Personalized Luxury
With 64 colors and ample brightness, the ambient lighting is more than a gimmick. For the lunch celebration, I matched the cabin’s lighting theme to a vivid blue outfit, which set a cheerful mood even in daylight. The feature is practical as well, since the higher brightness setting keeps the color visible under strong sun. Paired with the blue exterior, the car projected a cohesive and tasteful aesthetic that made the occasion feel just a bit more special. Small touches like this are often what passengers remember.
Ride Comfort: Steel Springs That Feel Just Right
The E 450 on steel springs does an impressive job of smoothing out potholes, joints, and patchwork surfaces. The ride quality feels disciplined rather than floaty. Over medium speed breakers, the car clears cleanly when driven with reasonable caution. Even with four adults on board, we glided over most of the Bandra and Mahim speed breakers without a scrape, with only one oddly shaped hump catching the underside despite a crab crawl. Day to day, the tuning strikes a sweet spot between isolation and control, which is exactly what you want in a luxury sedan that will spend real time in Indian cities.
Practicality: Boot Space and the Reality of Five Up
The 510 liter boot is neatly shaped and works well for typical weekend luggage or a couple of mid size suitcases plus backpacks. The test came with three full size check in bags during an airport pickup. That load did not fit all at once. On later runs we accommodated two big bags, one cabin suitcase, and a few soft items without issue, which is likely closer to how most owners will travel. As for seating five, the center rear perch is essentially the armrest area, which means the car is optimized for four up comfort. A fifth adult can be managed for short distances, but the E 450 clearly prioritizes two in the back for best results.
Powertrain and Performance: Effortless Strength, Gentle Character
Under the hood sits the M256 3.0 liter inline six turbo petrol paired with a mild hybrid system. The combined setup delivers 381 hp and 500 Nm, with the hybrid providing brief electric assistance for smoother launches and quick fill during gear changes. The headline sprint time is a very quick 4.5 seconds for 0 to 100 kph in ideal conditions. In normal use, the defining trait is not outright aggression, it is silk smooth thrust and quiet confidence. Power builds with a refined urgency, and the nine speed automatic keeps the engine in its sweet spot without calling attention to itself. For our family focused drives, Comfort mode was ideal. The car covered distance swiftly without ever feeling loud or brash.
Technology and Ease of Use: Calm, Not Clutter
The user experience leans toward clarity. Key controls are intuitive, the screens are crisp, and none of the features demand a learning curve before you can enjoy the car. The driver can focus on smooth progress while passengers enjoy the environment. This balanced philosophy is what makes the E 450 easy to recommend to families who value comfort first but also want the reassurance of real performance.
Fuel Economy and Day to Day Costs
A detailed fuel log over just 3,000 km is premature, but the mild hybrid assist helps with smooth start off and can shave small amounts from urban consumption. Expect premium petrol and luxury segment maintenance norms. In return, you get a cabin and ride experience that genuinely reduces fatigue on busy days, which is a running cost of a different kind that owners value once they live with the car.
What We Loved
- Rear seat comfort that lives up to the E Class legacy
- Poised ride on steel springs that avoids wallow
- Elegant ambience with customizable lighting that stays visible by day
- Inline six smoothness and effortless performance
- Calm highway manners and stress free city drivability
What Could Be Better
- Three full size check in suitcases are a squeeze despite the 510 liter boot
- Fifth seat comfort is limited, best for short hops only
- Ground clearance still requires care over unusually tall speed breakers
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How comfortable is the rear seat for long journeys
Very comfortable. The stretched wheelbase and reclinable rear seats provide generous legroom and balanced cushioning that works well for extended drives.
2. Does the E 450 ride better on steel springs than air suspension
Ride quality on steel springs is excellent for Indian roads. It feels controlled and avoids excess float while still softening potholes and rough patches.
3. Can five adults travel comfortably
Four up comfort is the focus. The center rear seat is essentially the armrest area, so the fifth passenger is best accommodated for short trips.
4. How fast is the E 450 in real use
The car is genuinely quick when asked, but in daily driving its strength is smooth, refined acceleration rather than dramatic bursts. Comfort mode keeps progress effortless and quiet.
5. How practical is the boot for airport runs
For regular luggage it works very well. Three full size check in suitcases at once are challenging. Two large bags plus a cabin suitcase and soft items fit more easily.
Verdict: A Family Friendly Luxury Sedan With Real Grace
As a first report, the E 450 impresses across the metrics that matter. It pampers rear passengers, keeps the driver relaxed, and delivers power with polish. For celebratory events and airport duty alike, it felt special without demanding attention. If your priorities center on space, refinement, and a ride that stays composed on less than perfect roads, the E 450 makes an excellent case for itself. The packaging is optimized for four in luxury rather than five in a pinch, and the boot has realistic limits with oversized luggage, but these are trade offs many buyers will accept for the sedan’s overall sense of occasion and comfort.
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