Which Mercedes E-Class Engine Is Best in 2024? (+2 to Avoid)
Choosing the right engine for your Mercedes E-Class can significantly influence your driving experience.
Overall, the 2.0 turbocharged petrol engine in the E 300e is the best for the Mercedes E-Class in 2024. It offers a near-perfect balance between performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability.
In this article, we’ll discuss four of the best engines for the E-Class and why they’re worth considering. We’ll also highlight two engines to steer clear of.
Let’s start!
11 Engines offered on the 2024 Mercedes E-Class: an overview
The E-Class is a car that has been around for many years.
It was first released in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 series and has undergone multiple redesigns to keep up with changing trends and technologies.
The latest incarnation of the model, the W213, was introduced at the beginning of 2017 and received a facelift in 2021.
Here is an overview of all engines available on the Mercedes E-Class:
Petrol | Diesel | ||||
Model | Engine | Power (hp) | Model | Engine | Power (hp) |
E 200 | 2.0 T (MHEV) | 197 | E 200d | 1.6 T | 160 |
E 300 | 2.0 T (MHEV) | 258 | E 220d | 2.0 T | 194 |
E 300e | 2.0 T (PHEV) | 320 | E 300d | 2.0 T (MHEV) | 265 |
E 450 | 3.0 T (MHEV) | 367 | E 300de | 2.0 T (PHEV) | 306 |
AMG E 53 | 3.0 T (MHEV) | 435 | E 400d | 3.0 T | 330 |
AMG E 63 S | 4.0 T | 612 |
Did you know?
– MHEV stands for Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It can’t drive using its electric motors only.
– PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It can drive using its electric motors only for short distances.
The 4 best engines on the Mercedes E-Class
Whether you’re looking for reliability, fuel efficiency, performance, or a combination of all, the E-Class has an engine that will suit your needs!
But what’s the best engine for it? Let’s take a closer look.
Here is an overview of the best engines for the Mercedes E-Class:
- Best Engine Overall: E 300e – 2.0 T Petrol (PHEV)
- Best Engine For Reliability: E 220d – 2.0 T Diesel
- Best Engine For Fuel Efficiency: E 200d – 1.6 T Diesel
- Best Engine For Performance: AMG E 63 S – 4.0 T Petrol
Note: Mercedes uses Renault engines for several other models but never for the E-Class. These engines are made by the Daimler AG or Mercedes-AMG division.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at each of these engines:
The best engine overall
Looking for a balance between the best reliability, fuel efficiency, and performance? Then this will be your best bet!
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine on the E 300e is the best engine overall on the Mercedes E-Class. It is environmentally friendly, has great fuel economy, and is powerful and fast.
The E 300e uses a 2.0-liter petrol engine and an electric motor to produce a total of 320hp. It’s quick and refined, with the ability to cruise silently on electric power alone for up to 35 miles!
Thanks to it being a plug-in hybrid, the E 300e may also be eligible for a range of government incentives.
This makes it a great choice from a financial perspective as well, especially when you factor in the E 300e’s combined fuel economy of up to 156.9 mpg!
Last but not least, even if the E 300e has ‘just’ a 2.0, it doesn’t lack anything on the performance end. Its 320 horsepower allows it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, almost as quick as the E 450.
Related article: The 7 Best Mercedes-Benz Engines Ever Made
The best engine for reliability
Looking for the most reliable engine in your Mercedes E-Class? Then consider the following one!
The most reliable engine for the Mercedes E-Class is the 2.0 turbocharged diesel found in the E 220d. It’s an engine that has been specifically designed for reliability as well as fuel economy. Mercedes E 220d’s equipped with the 2.0 diesel usually reach some of the highest mileages out of all variants.
The E-Class has long been one of Mercedes’ most reliable models, and the engine is a big part of that.
The E 220d uses a 2.0 T diesel engine that is both powerful and efficient. It is one of the most reliable engines on the market, with few reported problems.
The same 2.0 T diesel engine is also equipped on the E 300d, combined with a mild-hybrid system. This makes it less reliable, simply because there are a lot more systems that may experience faults!
When looking for the highest mileage W213 Mercedes E-Class on the used car market, you will notice that many of them are the E 220d with the 2.0 diesel:
Thus, this engine is the perfect choice for reliability and durability!
Find more reliable engines here: 5 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Engines Ever (+3 To Avoid)
The best engine for fuel efficiency
Are you a frequent driver or looking to pay as little for fuel as possible? Either way, this engine may be your best bet!
The 1.6 turbocharged diesel engine in the Mercedes E 200d has the best fuel economy out of all engine options available on the Mercedes E-Class. The engine’s claimed combined fuel economy is 4.9 L/100 km (58 MPG).
Owners of the E 200d have reported seeing a combined fuel consumption as low as 6.0 L/100 km (47 MPG), making it one of the most efficient engines in its class:
Even better, the E 200d’s fuel economy doesn’t come at a significant expense of performance. The 2.0 diesel engine produces a healthy 160 horsepower, making it more than capable of meeting the needs of most drivers.
All told, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for an economic engine!
Reader’s tip: Mercedes E-Class: Regular Or Premium Gas? (2024 Guidelines)
The best engine for performance
Looking for ultimate performance? You will find the best engine here!
The most high-performance engine on the Mercedes E-Class is the 4.0 twin-turbo V8 petrol found in the AMG E 63 S, which delivers an impressive 612 horsepower. And with a (limited) top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph, it’s sure to get you where you’re going in a hurry.
Anyone who loves cars knows that the engine is the heart of the vehicle. It’s what gives the car its power and performance.
That’s why when Mercedes decided to put a 4.0 V8 engine in the E-Class, they knew they were creating a monster. As a result, the E 63 S sprints from 0 to 60 mph in a staggering 3.4 seconds!
Of course, all that power comes at a price, and the AMG E 63 S is the most expensive option in the E-Class lineup. But if you’re looking for the ultimate driving experience, it’s definitely worth the extra cost.
2 engines you should avoid on the Mercedes E-Class
Although all engines on the Mercedes E-Class are very reliable in 2024, some should be avoided because there are better options available.
As a general rule, you should avoid the engines on the E 200 and E 450 when looking at the Mercedes E-Class. The output power of these 2.0 T and 3.0 T petrol engines is software-limited, meaning you can’t use them to your full potential unless you tune them.
Let us explain.
The 2.0 T engine in the E 200 is the same engine equipped on the E 300, just software-limited. Likewise, the 3.0 T engine in the E 450 is the same as in the AMG E 53 but, again, software-limited.
So, for a relatively small increase in the purchase price, you can get the same engine and roughly the same reliability and fuel consumption, just with a lot more power!
Conclusion
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a luxurious car that’s available with many different engine types.
We have looked at the pros and cons of each type to help you make the best decision for your needs.
If you are looking for the best engine overall, we recommend the 2.0 T on the plug-in hybrid E 300e. It has the best balance between reliability, fuel consumption, and performance.
However, no matter your needs, the Mercedes E-Class will have an engine perfect for you!
And if you’re still doubting about whether to get an E-Class this year, here is an article highlighting seven reasons why the E-Class is an amazing car!