Best Car Reviews - 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 4matic

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Introduction

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC is a midsize luxury sedan for drivers who want a refined long-distance car with all-weather confidence. It replaced the E300 4MATIC in the U.S. lineup and brought a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a strong blend of traditional Mercedes-Benz comfort and modern driver assistance. It is especially appealing to executives, families, and commuters who value a quiet cabin, polished road manners, and premium-brand presence without moving to an AMG model.

Design and Exterior Features

The E350 4MATIC uses the elegant proportions of the W213-generation E-Class: a long hood, short front overhang, smooth roofline, and a formal sedan profile that sits between the smaller C-Class and flagship S-Class. Its design is understated rather than aggressively sporty, with a wide grille, sculpted LED lighting, clean side surfacing, and a restrained rear end. For 2020, the major change was under the hood rather than a visual redesign, although buyers could select appearance packages and wheel designs to give the sedan a more athletic or more traditional character.

Standard LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights create a distinctive, upscale front signature.
4MATIC all-wheel drive adds confidence in wet, snowy, and slippery conditions.
Available AMG Line styling gives the sedan more assertive bumpers, wheels, and exterior detailing.
Available panoramic roof brings more light into the cabin.
Parking Damage Detector was newly standard for the 2020 E350 range.

Interior and Comfort

The 2020 E350 4MATIC has one of the most calming cabins in the midsize luxury class. Its dashboard combines flowing trim, round turbine-style air vents, wide digital displays, and a center console that feels substantial and carefully assembled. Materials are generally rich, with soft-touch surfaces, wood or metal-look trim choices, and available leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort is a major strength, while the rear seat is suitable for adults on normal journeys. Road and wind noise are well controlled, making the Mercedes-Benz an excellent highway companion. The standard KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package also added hands-free trunk access, keyless entry, and an electronic trunk closer.

Supportive power-adjustable front seats with memory settings are designed for long journeys.
Available heated, ventilated, and multicontour front seats increase luxury and comfort.
Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents support everyday passenger comfort.
Available Nappa leather and premium trim choices create a more individualized cabin.
Large displays and ambient lighting give the interior a modern, premium atmosphere.

Performance and Handling

The E350 4MATIC is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection inline-four engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Its 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly in relaxed driving, while 4MATIC all-wheel drive helps deliver power securely on poor surfaces. Mercedes-Benz quoted a 0-60 mph time of about 5.6 seconds for the 4MATIC sedan, which is quick enough for confident highway merging and passing. The ride prioritizes composure and isolation over sports-sedan sharpness, though available larger wheels and sport-oriented packages can make it feel firmer. The supplied consumption figure is 11.9004 L/100 km; U.S. EPA estimates for the E350 4MATIC are more favorable at 9.4 L/100 km combined, equivalent to 25 mpg combined, with 10.7 L/100 km city and 7.8 L/100 km highway ratings.

2.0-liter turbocharged SIDI inline-four engine with 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission balances smooth cruising with quick response.
4MATIC all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow, and cold-weather conditions.
Verified 0-60 mph acceleration is approximately 5.6 seconds for the 4MATIC sedan.
EPA-rated efficiency is 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

Technology and Connectivity

The E350 4MATIC combines a traditional luxury-car environment with a capable infotainment system. Its widescreen-style dashboard can include twin 12.3-inch displays, although equipment varies by package and original specification. The central screen is operated through the console controller, steering-wheel controls, and touch-sensitive steering-wheel pads. Smartphone integration brings useful everyday functionality, while available navigation, Burmester surround sound, head-up display, wireless charging, and enhanced driver-assistance packages allow a well-equipped example to feel thoroughly modern.

Available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides configurable driving information.
Available 12.3-inch central infotainment display supports navigation and media functions.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide familiar smartphone integration.
Available Burmester surround sound system enhances audio quality.
Available head-up display, wireless charging, and 360-degree camera add convenience.

Safety Features

The 2020 E350 4MATIC includes a broad safety foundation, with standard Active Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, a rearview camera, stability control, and a full airbag system. Advanced systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-centering support, active steering assistance, active lane-change assistance, cross-traffic functions, and a surround-view camera were available through option packages. The E-Class sedan earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing recorded strong crashworthiness performance for the related sedan generation. Buyers should confirm installed equipment by VIN, as optional safety technology varies considerably.

Standard Active Brake Assist provides forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking support.
Standard Blind Spot Assist helps alert the driver to vehicles alongside the sedan.
Standard ATTENTION ASSIST monitors driving behavior for signs of fatigue.
Available Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise, lane support, and enhanced active safety functions.
Five-star overall NHTSA safety rating for the E-Class sedan.

Pricing and Variants

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Sedan started at $56,550 in the United States before the $995 destination charge and options. The rear-wheel-drive E350 started at $54,050, while the more powerful E450 4MATIC began at $61,550. Higher-performance choices included the Mercedes-AMG E53 and E63 S. Against rivals such as the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 quattro, Lexus ES, and Volvo S90, the E350 4MATIC offered a particularly strong combination of cabin serenity, all-weather traction, and optional technology. Its original price could rise quickly with appearance, luxury, audio, and driver-assistance packages.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Elegant exterior design that remains sophisticated and contemporary.
Quiet, beautifully finished cabin with excellent front-seat comfort.
Strong turbocharged performance and smooth nine-speed automatic transmission.
4MATIC all-wheel drive is valuable for year-round usability.
Extensive available safety, convenience, and infotainment technology.

Cons

Options can substantially increase the purchase price.
Maintenance, repairs, tires, and dealer servicing can be costly after warranty coverage ends.
The four-cylinder engine is effective but lacks the sound and effortless character of a six-cylinder E-Class.
Touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls and infotainment controls can require an adjustment period.
Some advanced driver-assistance and luxury features were optional rather than standard.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A single verified annual maintenance-cost estimate specific to the 2020 E350 4MATIC is not consistently published, so owners should budget above mainstream-sedan levels and obtain a pre-purchase inspection plus a service-history review. Owner-report data for this model is limited, so these are recurring areas to inspect rather than guaranteed faults: intermittent keyless-entry or other electrical-accessory behavior; infotainment, warning-light, or sensor concerns; interior rattles or wind-noise complaints; early tire wear or wheel damage on low-profile tire packages; and engine-management fault codes or fuel-system concerns reported in isolated complaints. Confirm that all recall work is complete and have a Mercedes-Benz specialist inspect the engine, cooling system, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, electronics, and 4MATIC components before purchase.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.5/10. Design: 8.8/10 for its timeless, executive-class appearance. Comfort: 9.0/10 for its quiet cabin and long-distance refinement. Performance: 8.2/10 for responsive turbocharged power and secure all-wheel-drive traction. Technology: 8.4/10 because it offers excellent available equipment but some features require options. Safety: 8.7/10 for its strong standard safety equipment, available advanced assistance, and verified five-star NHTSA rating.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback is generally positive, with many drivers praising the E-Class for its refinement, comfort, and premium atmosphere. The most satisfied owners tend to value its calm highway behavior and sophisticated cabin, while critical feedback commonly focuses on option costs, servicing expense, and the complexity of modern electronics. Condition, maintenance history, wheel choice, and installed packages make a meaningful difference to the ownership experience.

Owners commonly appreciate the quiet ride and stable highway manners.
The interior is frequently viewed as a major reason to choose the E-Class over sportier rivals.
Many drivers find the turbocharged four-cylinder adequately quick for daily use.
4MATIC is valued by owners in regions with winter weather.
Some owners advise budgeting carefully for premium fuel, tires, scheduled service, and out-of-warranty repairs.

Best Cars in This Category

2020 BMW 530i xDrive
2020 Audi A6 quattro
2020 Lexus ES 350
2020 Volvo S90 T6 AWD
2020 Genesis G80 AWD

Summary

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC is best suited to buyers who want a comfortable, prestigious, all-weather luxury sedan with modern technology and strong everyday performance. It is not the least expensive car to operate in its class, and a careful inspection is essential for used examples, but it remains a highly appealing choice when condition and service history are right. Its graceful design, deeply refined cabin, capable drivetrain, and broad available safety technology give it enduring value as a premium midsize sedan.